The results are in for the 2022 Best of Natural Awards, the largest awards for natural health, beauty and eco-living in Aotearoa, celebrating the highest quality ingredient, ethical and environmental standards.
There were more than 400 product entries for this year’s Best of Natural Awards held in partnership with Good magazine and HealthPost.
Judges – HealthPost registered naturopath, herbalist and cosmetic chemist Liz McNamara, beauty expert Sara Corleison and wellness expert Rachel Grunwell – spent hundreds of hours testing and trialling the products before deciding on the best of the best.
Now it’s your turn to have your say and vote for your favourite brand and be in to win!
Vote here for the Best of Natural People’s Choice Award and be in to win one of 6 x Best of Natural Awards gift boxes valued at more than $250 each. Voting for the People’s Choice Award closes on October 17.
Here are the category winners for the Best of Natural Awards 2022 and why the judges loved them.
2022 Best of Natural Award category winners:
SKINCARE & MAKE-UP
The judges were really excited by the use of active ingredients featuring in so many natural skincare brands and the growth in availability of top-notch products. Customers no longer have to compromise on effectiveness in natural and ethical products!
Face Mask
Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask
Calming, cooling and soothing, this beautiful-smelling mask hydrates and is naturally great for treating acne.
Eye Cream
ManukaRx Pro-Aging Eye Cream
A nourishing eye cream combining locally sourced ingredients and effective peptides to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the eye area.
Serum
Living Nature Advanced Renewal Night Serum
Provides an instant glow and uplifting to use. A luxury experience with a great price point. We’d also use this as a day serum.
Face Scrub
Evre Time to Shine Raspberry & Almond Gentle Face Scrub
Targeted to teens but suitable for all, it’s hydrating and gentle enough to not disrupt the skin barrier and we love that 2% of profits go to Youthline.
Cleanser
NUN Pure Facial Cleanser
We couldn’t get enough of this nourishing oil cleanser with a refreshing and surprising cucumber scent.
Face Oil
Kumo Phytodose Bi-Phase Barrier Oil
Kumo’s innovative bi-phase formulation supports the skin’s barrier function, with blue tans.
Face Moisturiser
Antipodes Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream
Nourishing and rich yet light on the skin, this divine cream smells heavenly too.
Face Make-up
Lily Lolo BB Cream
Smooths the complexion with light coverage and provides a dewy finish.
HAIR & BODY
The judges loved seeing newcomers to this category who were offering sustainable packaging options, luxurious products, and new approaches to hair and body treatments which made judging so many amazing products highly challenging.
Shampoo & Conditioner
Everblue Repair & Hydrate Shampoo and Conditioner
We love the responsible and stylish packaging as well as the use of kawakawa and the fresh minty fragrance.
Deodorant
Little Mango Fearless Light Vanilla Natural Deodorant
The action of applying this doubles as a lymphatic massage while providing protection with a soft vanilla scent.
Sunscreen
Evolu Protective Day Cream Clear Zinc SPF 30
Applies easily and clear, light on the skin and smells delicious.
Hair Treatment
Holistic Hair Essential Scalp Spray
Leaves the scalp feeling calm and refreshed. Its blend of herbs and botanicals also encourages circulation to hair follicles.
Oral Care
LOVEBYT Cinnamon & Clove Botanical Toothpaste
You are no longer limited to mint toothpaste thanks to this delicious cinnamon and clove flavour. Works well and looks beautiful on the bathroom counter.
Body Wash, Soaps & Scrubs
Only Good Calm Natural Body Wash
A luxurious body wash at a great price, that is suitable for the whole family and has a beautiful fragrance.
Healing Balm
OKU Kawakawa & Arnica Balm
Great use of indigenous ingredients that help soothe tense muscles.
Body Lotion, Oils, Butter
Weleda Skin Food Body Butter
A light and nourishing body butter that smells delightful and absorbs into the skin well.
HEALTH SUPPLEMENTS
Judges loved the variety of products in this category from New Zealand brands that are providing unique formulations and solutions to health and wellness. It was fantastic to see kiwi brands leading the way with products supporting many areas of health.
Gut Health
Two Islands Happy Gut
A great support for overall health – fibre-rich and soothing. Smells and tastes great. A beautiful formula.
Stress, Sleep, Mood
Wild Dispensary Rest and Calm
A great-tasting tonic that soothes and calms the body’s stress response, made from locally sourced ingredients.
Children’s Health
Norish NutriDense Smoothie Booster
A wonderful source of fat-soluble vitamins and protein with no added sweeteners. A great way to top your little ones up, and adults can enjoy a spoonful too.
Hair, Skin, Nails
MenoMe LotsaLocks
Addressing an issue that isn’t often talked about in women’s health – hair loss! We love that the keratin protein is sourced from the wool of New Zealand sheep. Suitable for all and great for hair, skin and nail.
Energy & Brain
Flow State NZ Lion’s Mane Pekepeke-Kiore
It’s awesome to see a New Zealand-grown functional mushroom tincture that does a great job of supporting brain health. Also rate Flow State’s transparency around testing for actives.
FOOD & DRINK
The judges loved seeing so many products that were offering healthy ingredients as well as creating foods and drinks that delivered sensational taste and convenience. We would have loved to select many more products as winners as there are so many leaders in this category.
Drinks
Chia Sisters Gut Health Blueberry Superfood
Absolutely delicious with great gut health benefits, and we love everything this B Corp company stands for.
Teas & Tonics
Wildwood Cinnamon Cacao with Cordyceps & Lion’s Mane
A hot chocolate for grown-ups with a beautiful blend of spices, ceremonial-grade cacao and functional mushrooms. It’s also keto-friendly and sugar-free.
Superfoods
Sujon Blackcurrant Powder
A high-quality New Zealand-grown freeze-dried superfood that’s delicious on its own or when added to breakfast, smoothies or yoghurt.
Healthy Snacking
Little Bird Good Nuts Cheesy Chipotle Cashews
Vegan with a cheesy hit, once you start eating these you can’t stop. So yum!
Breakfast
Yum Granola Dark Chocolate + Goji Berry Granola
Best-tasting granola ever. So addictive and OMG delicious, indulgent, gluten-free and still healthy.
Protein
Mitchells Bone Broth Protein Powder Chocolate
Unexpectedly good, this New Zealand- sourced protein is delicious with a silky texture and 25gm protein per serve.
ECO-LIVING
The judges loved to see so much focus on the transparency and ethics within the supply chains of this category. Brands are offering high-quality and eco-friendly replacements for everyday household goods, helping to reduce the footprint of our individual households.
Eco-Home
CaliWoods Low Waste Shave Kit
A stylish lifelong purchase and great way to get plastic out of your bathroom! Leaves your skin feeling silky smooth and we love the blade send-back scheme.
Eco-Period
AWWA Period Boxer Brief
Our go-to for sleepwear at that time of the month. Ultra-comfortable and absorbent.
Aromatherapy
Plant Potions I Am Calm Pulse Point Oil
The perfect handbag size! This beautiful blend of essential oils takes you to a place of calm.
BEST BRAND
Mindful and innovative brands featuring the best new up-and-coming brand, best use of indigenous ingredients, and most mindful brands leading the way in Aotearoa.
Best Use of Indigenous Ingredients
Frankie Apothecary
Frankie Apothecary see themselves as Kaitiakitanga, guardians of caring for the land, and harvesting their kawakawa in line with Rongoa Māori principles to enhance the healing potential of kawakawa.
Most Mindful of Materials
coralcone
Made in NZ, coralcone has considered the lifecycle of their menstrual cup product, from the pouch made from recycled plastic to the send-back programme for cups, to the FSC-certified paper packaging and paper. They have done an excellent job at producing a product thoughtfully with minimal waste.
Best New Brand
Tronque
An innovative new brand providing active skincare for the body. Tronque are off to a great start with excellent products and we look forward to seeing their evolution.
Most Mindful of Transparency
Absolute Essential
An incredible example of transparency through sourcing ingredients and a leader of ethical trade arrangements that protect people and the environment.
Most Mindful of People
Chia Sisters
The highest scoring B Corp in NZ, Chia Sisters are all about people! They’re Living Wage certified, fund leadership development for their team and pay them to spend time volunteering.
Most Mindful of Nature
Organic India
A brand that embraces a regenerative approach to caring for the land, restoring and protecting the environment as well as the people who work it.
You can get your hands on all the 2022 winners over at HealthPost, Aotearoa’s online wellness store.
