A favourite skincare brand on our editor’s beauty list…
At Together, many beauty products cross our desks, making the competition fierce. With so many options available, it takes a lot for a product to become a regular in our daily routine. The RAAIE Skincare brand is high on our editor Greta’s list. She has been using it since its release and has developed some firm favourites.
The latest offerings in skincare innovation from RAAIE combine the power of New Zealand’s most resilient land, sea, and alpine botanicals with cutting-edge cosmeceutical science. These ingredients, known for thriving in some of the world’s harshest UV conditions, are expertly formulated to deliver unparalleled protection and nourishment. This blend of nature and science ensures products that protect and enhance skin health.
I’ll admit I was initially drawn to RAAIE for its aesthetic appeal. However, I also appreciated its New Zealand origins and its promise of combining nature with science for optimal results. I’ve been a devoted user and follower of the brand for several years. All the products are wonderful, and I would recommend them all. That said, I do have a few favourites that best suit my skin and lifestyle, which I will share below.
YELLOW MOONBEAM RETINAL ELIXIR
The Moonbeam Retinal Elixir Nourishing Serum, with its distinct bright yellow hue, was the first RAAIE product I truly fell in love with. Applying it in the evenings feels incredibly nourishing, leaving my skin with a luminous, healthy glow. The rich formula absorbs well into the skin and is slightly thicker and creamier than other serums I’ve used.
Information: This luxurious overnight elixir combines encapsulated Retinal, a next-generation retinol/Vitamin A version, with Bakuchiol to enhance cellular turnover and reveal radiant new cells for a youthful glow. Healing New Zealand botanicals, such as Native Sea Algae, Alpine Rosehip, and Harakeke Native Flaxseed, are blended with clinically proven actives like Alpha Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Squalane, and Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) to refine skin minimize the appearance of pores, and improve skin texture. More Here
SUN MILK DROPS TINTED SPF50
My second love is the Sun Milk Drops. Finally, there’s a mineral sunscreen that’s ultra-lightweight, silky smooth, and absorbs quickly for an invisible finish. The soft peach tint gives every skin tone a lit-from-within glow and preps your skin for makeup without clogging pores. I don’t wear a lot of makeup, and often, the tint of these glowy drops is more than enough coverage for me day to day.
This innovative mineral SPF50 provides broad-spectrum protection with non-nano zinc oxide, shielding against UVA and UVB rays, as well as digital blue light, pollution, and infrared radiation. It is non-comedogenic, fragrance-free, safe for sensitive skin, and reef safe, with 40-minute water resistance.
Sun Milk Drops have been independently tested and meet the AU/NZ standard 2604, with SPF using ISO 24444 and UVA using ISO 24443.
More Here
COCOON CERAMIDE CREAM
The Cocoon Ceramide Cream is the third staple in my daily routine. I wear it mainly during the day and alternate it with another great New Zealand product (more on that one later). Its rich and luxurious formula keeps skin feeling soft, hydrated, and supple.
The Cocoon Ceramide Cream offers a rich and luxurious experience, leaving skin soft, hydrated, and supple. Its advanced formula features a blend of seven ceramides that strengthen the skin barrier, enhance moisture retention, and give a plumper, healthier appearance. Plant-derived growth factors, fermented minerals, and chebula boost firmness and elasticity. Hyaluronic acid, combined with New Zealand marine algae, delivers deep hydration, while MGO 850+ mānuka honey, wild-harvested alpine rosehip, and avocado oil help lock in moisture. More Here.
The vessels…
RAAIE’s packaging is designed to resemble sacred objects, encouraging people to cherish rather than discard them. This unique, minimalist approach has gained global recognition, earning RAAIE the award for ‘Best Brand Design and Marketing’ at the NZSCC awards and a finalist spot at the NEXT Beauty Awards in Los Angeles for ‘Best Packaging.’ Additionally, the brand features a refillable system, enhancing its commitment to sustainability.
A little about RAAIE Founder..
Together Journal admires female founders who achieve success through intelligence and hard work, and Katey Mandy, the founder of RAAIE, exemplifies this. Raised on her family farm in northern New Zealand, Katy learned about the power of native plants alongside her father. From a young age, she discovered how plants like kawakawa, harakeke (flax), kōwhai, and mānuka, found in New Zealand’s ancient forests, have been used for generations for protection and healing.
After spending 13 years in London and New York working in the fashion and beauty industries, Katy returned home. She combined her passion for New Zealand’s botanicals with her international brand-building experience to create RAAIE.
