The results are in for the 2022 Best of Natural Awards, Aotearoa’s largest awards in natural health, beauty and eco-living celebrating the highest quality ingredient, ethical and environmental standards.
Held in partnership with Good magazine and HealthPost, the 2022 Best of Natural Awards attracted more than 400 entries across six categories.
The 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 37 category winners.
The People’s Choice Award, the next stage in the competition, launches today and enables members of the public to vote for their favourite brand from the category winners from now until October 17.
“Not only do the 2022 Best of Natural Awards celebrate the best of the best but also up and coming Aotearoa brands who are making a difference with a commitment to sustainable change,” says Good magazine editor Carolyn Enting.
“The Awards are about celebrating these brands who are making a positive difference for people and the planet. It’s heartening to see so many established and emerging brands operating in this space.”
This year new categories Food & Drink and Best Brand were added to existing categories Skincare & Make-up, Hair & Body, Health Supplements and Eco-Living.
Efficacy, performance and innovation were what stood out in the Skincare & Make-up category.
“We had so many entries in the Best of Natural Awards that rival their non-natural counterparts, so you don’t need to compromise on performance,” says judge and beauty expert Sara Corleison.
“The three key things that stood out in the skincare category were the efficacy of the products, innovative use of natural ingredients and the experience using the products.”
Many brands including Best New Brand, Tronque, were also lifting natural skincare into the luxury category, added Grunwell.
The overarching attributes of brands who entered the Eco Living category was the sourcing and transparency story that those brands are prioritising with their products, says McNamara. “It’s great to see brands offering high quality and eco-friendly replacements for everyday household goods,” said McNamara.
The use of locally sourced indigenous ingredients and responsible packaging also stood out in the Hair & Body and Health Supplements categories, added Grunwell.
The new Food & Drink category highlighted brands combining healthy and delicious ingredients.
“It was so exciting to see so many brands doing such a good job in nailing healthy and delicious,” says NcNamara. “We would have loved to select many more products as winners as there are so many leaders in this category.”
Category winners for the Best of Natural Awards 2022
Skincare & Make-up
Cleanse – NUN Pure Facial Cleanser
Eye Cream – ManukaRX Pro-aging Eye Cream
Serum – Living Nature Advanced Renewal Night Serum
Face Moisturiser – Antipodes Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream
Face Oil – Kumo Phytodose Bi-Phase Barrier Oil
Face Scrub – Evre Time to Shine Raspberry & Almond Gentle Face Scrub
Face Mask – Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask
Face Make-up – Lily Lolo BB Cream
Hair & Body
Body Wash, Soaps & Scrubs – Only Good Calm Natural Body Wash
Body Lotion, Oils, Butter – Weleda Skin Food Body Butter
Healing Balm – OKU Kawakawa & Arnica Balm
Deodorant – Little Mango Fearless Light Vanilla Natural Deodorant
Sunscreen – Evolu Protective Day Cream Clear Zinc SPF 30
Oral Care – LOVEBYT Cinnamon & Clove Botanical Toothpaste
Shampoo & Conditioner – everblue Aspire Repair & Hydrate Shampoo and Conditioner
Hair Treatment – Holistic Hair Essential Scalp Spray
Health Supplements
Stress, Sleep, Mood – Wild Dispensary Rest and Calm
Hair, Skin, Nails – MenoMe LotsaLocks
Gut Health – Two Islands Happy Gut
Energy & Brain – Flow State NZ Lion’s Mane Pekepeke-Kiore
Children’s Health – Norish NutriDense Smoothie Booster
Lifestyle
Eco-Period – AWWA Period Boxer Brief
Eco-Home – CaliWoods Low Waste Shave Kit
Aromatherapy – Plant Potions I Am Calm Pulse Point Oil
Food & Drink
Protein – Mitchells Bone Broth Protein Powder Chocolate
Teas & Tonics – Wildwood Cinnamon Cacao with Cordyceps & Lion’s Mane
Breakfast – Yum Granola Cacao and Goji berry Granola
Drinks – Chia Sisters Gut Health Blueberry Superfood
Healthy Snacking – Little Bird Good Nuts Cheesy Chipotle Cashews
Superfoods – Sujon Blackcurrant Powder
Best Brands
Most Mindful of Transparency – Absolute Essential
Most Mindful of Materials – Coralcone
Most Mindful of People – Chia Sisters
Most Mindful of Nature – Organic India
Best New Brand – Tronque
Best Use of Indigenous Ingredients – Frankie Apothecary
To view the winning products and read what the judges liked about each of them, and to vote for the People’s Choice Award go to goodmagazine.co.nz.
All the winning products are available to purchase at healthpost.co.nz
