Hark & Zander was founded by registered nurse Kirsty Harkness after years of struggling with sensitive skin herself. Every product is thoughtfully formulated to support sensitive, reactive and changing skin, combining premium natural ingredients with scientifically researched active ingredients.
Proudly made in New Zealand, our skincare is vegan, cruelty-free and trusted by thousands of customers. Our formulations have received more than 38 international beauty awards, recognising their quality, innovation and performance. (Link "more than 38 international beauty awards" to your Awards page.)
Whether you're new to Hark & Zander or have been with us for years, you'll find answers to our most frequently asked questions below. If you can't find what you're looking for, we'd love to hear from you.
Our goal is simple: to create skincare that feels as good as it performs.
Yes. Every Hark & Zander product is formulated with sensitive, reactive and changing skin in mind.
If your skin is prone to redness or rosacea, our SkinTonic Face Oil is a customer favourite. Rich in calming botanical oils, it's designed to comfort dry, reactive skin and support a calmer, healthier-looking complexion.
Because every person's skin is unique, we always recommend patch testing before introducing any new skincare product. If you're unsure which products are right for your skin, we're always happy to help.
If you're new to Hark & Zander, we recommend starting with the products that best match your skin's needs.
If you're new to Hark & Zander, our Essential Bundle is the easiest way to begin. It includes our core daily skincare products and offers the best value if you're looking to build a simple routine.
If you're unsure where to begin, we're always happy to help you choose the products best suited to your skin.
There is no "perfect" skincare routine. Some people love using the full Hark & Zander range, while others achieve beautiful results with just one or two products. Listen to your skin and use as few or as many products as it needs.
If you're using multiple products, apply them from the lightest to the richest texture, finishing with SkinTonic Face Oil to help lock in moisture.
Our Hydrating Gel Toner is more than a traditional toner—it's a lightweight hydrating serum designed to replenish moisture and prepare your skin for the products that follow.
This is the usual order of application, whether you're using two products or the full range.
Morning
Evening
If your skin is feeling irritated or reactive, less is often more. Keep your routine simple while your skin settles rather than introducing lots of products at once.
You may find that SkinTonic Face Oil in the morning under your makeup or tinted sunscreen, followed by Purifying Oil Cleanser and Restoring Good Night in the evening, is all your skin needs until its natural balance returns.
If you're unsure which products are right for your skin, we're always happy to help.
We believe every ingredient should earn its place. That's why we carefully select premium natural, naturally derived and nature-identical ingredients, choosing each one for a specific purpose rather than simply following trends.
Our formulations feature ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, New Zealand botanical extracts including kawakawa, black fern and Koakaheart™, antioxidant-rich plant oils, vitamins, and our exclusive Sativelle™ Complex. Every ingredient is chosen to nourish and support healthy-looking skin while being gentle enough for sensitive and reactive skin.
Every Hark & Zander product is proudly vegan, cruelty free, and thoughtfully formulated in New Zealand.
To learn more about the ingredients in a particular product, visit its product page where you'll find a full ingredient list and information about the key ingredients and their benefits.
Many of our customers enjoy using Hark & Zander throughout pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Our products are formulated with gentle, natural, naturally derived and nature-identical ingredients, making them a popular choice for sensitive, changing skin.
In fact, our Restoring Good Night moisturiser was created during founder Kirsty's own pregnancy after she struggled with unusually dry skin. While breastfeeding, she used both SkinTonic Face Oil and Restoring Good Night morning and night to help replenish the moisture and nourishing oils her skin had lost.
Our Nourishing Body Oil is also a favourite during and after pregnancy to nourish stretching skin and improve the appearance of stretch marks.
As every pregnancy is unique, we recommend speaking with your healthcare provider before introducing any new skincare products if you have any questions or concerns.
While Hark & Zander was developed for adults with sensitive, reactive and changing skin, many of our customers ask whether their teenagers can use our products.
In general, healthy teenage skin doesn't need an extensive skincare routine. A gentle cleanser, a simple moisturiser and daily sunscreen are usually enough. More products aren't necessarily better.
For teenagers with particularly dry, sensitive or easily irritated skin, some of our products may be appropriate. If you're unsure where to start, we're always happy to recommend a simple routine based on their skin's needs.
Not necessarily. While they work beautifully together, they each have a different role in your skincare routine.
A serum is lightweight and contains targeted active ingredients designed to address specific skin concerns, while delivering hydration and supporting healthy-looking skin.
A facial oil helps nourish the skin, support the skin barrier and lock in moisture, leaving skin feeling soft, comfortable and healthy-looking.
Some people use both every day, while others choose one or the other depending on their skin's needs. Listen to your skin and use as few or as many products as it needs.
If you choose to use both, apply your MiracleFirm Smoothing Serum first, followed by your moisturiser, then finish with SkinTonic Face Oil to help seal in moisture, leaving your skin beautifully nourished and creating a smooth base for your makeup or tinted sunscreen to glide on effortlessly.
Yes. Hark & Zander products are designed to work alongside other skincare products and can generally be used with ingredients such as retinol, vitamin C and exfoliating acids.
Our formulations contain their own scientifically researched active ingredients, including bakuchiol in Restoring Good Night, hyaluronic acid and a range of botanical extracts chosen to hydrate, nourish and support healthy-looking skin.
If you're using stronger resurfacing or exfoliating ingredients such as retinol or acids, it's best to introduce them gradually and pay attention to how your skin responds. Using too many potent products at once can sometimes lead to dryness or irritation.
A well-balanced skincare routine doesn't need to include every trending ingredient. Many people find that combining targeted actives with products that support hydration and the skin barrier helps keep their skin looking and feeling its best.
If you're unsure how to combine your skincare products, we're always happy to help.
Absolutely. Hark & Zander products are designed to absorb beautifully into the skin, making them ideal for use under both makeup and sunscreen.
For your morning routine, allow each product a minute or two to absorb before applying the next. Finish with your favourite sunscreen, followed by makeup if you wear it.
Many of our customers especially love using SkinTonic Face Oil as the final step in their routine. It helps leave skin feeling nourished and smooth, creating a beautiful base for tinted sunscreen or makeup to glide on effortlessly.
As always, listen to your skin and adjust the amount of product you use to suit your skin type and the finish you prefer.
Hark & Zander products are made with naturally derived ingredients and without synthetic preservatives, so we recommend enjoying them while they're fresh.
To help maintain freshness and performance, store your products in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat.
This is particularly important for our SkinTonic Face Oil and Nourishing Body Oil, which contain delicate botanical oils.
As we age, our skin naturally produces less oil and loses moisture more easily. Hormonal changes, particularly during perimenopause and menopause, can also weaken the skin barrier, leaving skin feeling drier, tighter and more reactive than it once did.
The right skincare can help support your skin barrier and improve hydration. Hark & Zander products are thoughtfully formulated for sensitive, reactive and changing skin, combining premium natural ingredients with scientifically researched actives to nourish, hydrate and comfort without harsh ingredients or unnecessary irritants.
If your skin has changed over time, a simple routine focused on gentle cleansing, hydration and barrier support can help restore comfort and a healthy-looking glow.
Hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause can leave skin feeling drier, thinner, more sensitive and less resilient than before. A skincare routine that once worked may suddenly leave your skin feeling tight, irritated or uncomfortable.
Look for gentle, fragrance-conscious skincare that helps strengthen the skin barrier, replenish moisture and support healthy-looking skin without harsh ingredients. Ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, nourishing plant oils and antioxidant-rich botanical extracts can help improve hydration while keeping sensitive skin comfortable.
Hark & Zander products are thoughtfully formulated for sensitive, reactive and changing skin, combining premium natural ingredients with scientifically researched actives to help support your skin through every stage of life. A simple routine of gentle cleansing, hydration and daily moisturising is often all that's needed to help restore comfort and a healthy glow.
A simple routine using our Purifying Oil Cleanser,Hydrating Gel Toner,MiracleFirm Smoothing Serum and Brightening Face the Day in the morning or Restoring Good Night at night from our essentials bundle can help support hydration and the skin barrier.
Yes. Many of our customers come to Hark & Zander because their skin has changed over time. Whether it's due to age, hormonal changes, environmental factors or increased sensitivity, skin can suddenly become drier, more reactive or less tolerant of products it once loved.
Our skincare is thoughtfully formulated for sensitive, reactive and changing skin, combining premium natural ingredients with scientifically researched actives to help support the skin barrier, replenish hydration and keep skin feeling comfortable. Every product is designed to work together as part of a simple, gentle routine that nourishes skin without unnecessary harsh ingredients.
While everyone's skin is different, choosing skincare that prioritises hydration and barrier support can help improve comfort and promote healthier-looking skin over time.
As skin matures, it often becomes drier, more delicate and less resilient. Hark & Zander products are designed to work together, but each one plays a different role in supporting mature, sensitive and changing skin.
Not every mature skin type needs every product. Some people only need a cleanser, serum and moisturiser, while others enjoy a more complete routine. The best choice depends on your skin concerns and how your skin feels each day.
kin can become more sensitive at any stage of life, even if you've never experienced sensitivity before. As we age, the skin naturally produces less oil and becomes less able to retain moisture. Hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause, stress, environmental factors, medications and even overusing active skincare ingredients can all weaken the skin barrier, leaving skin feeling dry, tight or easily irritated.
When your skin becomes sensitive, it's often a sign that your skin barrier needs support. Simplifying your routine, avoiding harsh or overly active products, and focusing on gentle cleansing, hydration and nourishment can help restore comfort and resilience over time.
Hark & Zander products are thoughtfully formulated for sensitive, reactive and changing skin, using premium natural ingredients and scientifically researched actives to help support the skin barrier while keeping skin hydrated, comfortable and healthy-looking.
Although they often feel similar, dry skin and dehydrated skin are not the same.
Dry skin is a skin type. It naturally produces less oil, so it often feels rough, flaky or tight and may need richer moisturisers and nourishing oils to help strengthen the skin barrier.
Dehydrated skin is a skin condition caused by a lack of water in the skin. Even oily or combination skin can become dehydrated. It often feels tight, looks dull and may show fine dehydration lines, especially after cleansing or in dry environments.
Many people notice their skin becoming more dehydrated after a change in lifestyle, environment or health. Moving between humid and dry climates, spending more time in air-conditioned offices or heated homes, working outdoors in the wind and sun, travelling, stress, changes in diet, certain medications, pregnancy, perimenopause and menopause can all affect the skin's ability to retain moisture.
If your skin is dehydrated, caring for it both inside and out is important. Drinking enough water supports your body's normal hydration, while gentle skincare containing hydrating ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, helps attract and retain moisture in the outer layers of the skin. Moisturisers and nourishing facial oils then help strengthen the skin barrier and reduce moisture loss.
Hark & Zander products are designed to support both dry and dehydrated sensitive skin. Our Hydrating Gel Toner and MiracleFirm Smoothing Serum help replenish hydration, while Brightening Face the Day, Restoring Good Night and SkinTonic Face Oil help nourish the skin and support a healthy skin barrier.
It's also common to experience both dry and dehydrated skin at the same time, particularly as skin matures or during hormonal changes.
Sensitive skin is unique, so there isn't a single list of ingredients that everyone should avoid. An ingredient that works well for one person may irritate another, particularly if the skin barrier has become compromised.
If your skin is sensitive or reactive, introduce new products one at a time and pay attention to how your skin responds. Ingredients such as exfoliating acids, retinoids and high-strength active ingredients can sometimes cause irritation if introduced too quickly or used too often. Even ingredients that are beneficial for the skin may need to be introduced gradually.
It's also important to remember that skin can become more reactive during periods of change, including perimenopause and menopause, pregnancy, seasonal changes, stress, illness, after some cosmetic treatments, or while taking certain medications.
Rather than focusing on avoiding specific ingredients, choose gentle skincare that helps support the skin barrier and keeps skin hydrated and comfortable. Hark & Zander products are thoughtfully formulated for sensitive, reactive and changing skin, combining premium natural ingredients with scientifically researched actives to nourish the skin without unnecessary harsh ingredients.
If you're unsure whether a product is right for you, we always recommend performing a patch test before applying it to your entire face.
Yes. Hark & Zander is proudly cruelty-free and 100% vegan. We never test our products or ingredients on animals, and we never use animal-derived ingredients.
Every product is thoughtfully formulated to care for your skin while reflecting our commitment to ethical and responsible skincare.
All Hark & Zander skincare is proudly made in New Zealand. We formulate and manufacture our products locally, combining premium natural ingredients with scientifically researched active ingredients to create skincare that's gentle, effective and designed for sensitive skin. Wherever possible, we support New Zealand-grown botanicals and local suppliers.
Giving back has always been an important part of Hark & Zander. We believe skincare should make a positive difference—not only for our customers, but also for the communities around us.
We're proud to support a range of New Zealand charities and organisations through product donations, fundraising initiatives and community partnerships, including:
From helping fund vital breast cancer research and providing skincare to people undergoing cancer treatment, to supporting women and families experiencing hardship, we're committed to using our business to care for others wherever we can.
Together with our customers, we're proud to make beauty more than skin deep.
We currently accept all major credit and debit cards, Afterpay, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Shop Pay, PayPal and Hark & Zander Gift Cards.
We know everyone has their preferred way to pay, so we aim to offer a range of convenient payment options. Short of trading sheep or sacks of grain, we've got most modern methods covered! If there's another payment option you'd like to see, we'd love to hear from you.
Healthy skin thrives on consistency. Our flexible subscription helps make that easy by delivering your favourite products when you need them, while saving you up to 20% on every order. You can skip, pause or cancel anytime, so you're always in control.
If you ever need a hand managing your subscription, just get in touch and we'll be happy to help.
Managing your subscription is simple.
Log into your Hark & Zander account and select
Manage Subscriptions.
From there you can:
If you ever need a hand, just email hello@harkandzander.com and we'll be happy to help.
Redeeming your rewards is easy. Simply sign into your Hark & Zander account, add your favourite products to your cart, then choose how many points you'd like to redeem at checkout. Your discount will be applied instantly—no codes required.
You can also visit your Loyalty Rewards Hub at any time to:
New to Inner Circle Rewards? Simply visit our Loyalty Rewards Hub, click Join, and create your free account to start earning rewards with every eligible purchase.
If you have any questions, just email us via our contact page and we'll be happy to help.
We currently ship throughout New Zealand and Australia.
Orders are dispatched every weekday from our Auckland warehouse.
New Zealand: Most orders arrive within 2–5 working days, depending on your location.
Australia: Delivery times vary depending on customs processing and local postal services. Once your order has been dispatched, you'll receive a tracking link so you can follow its journey.
Please note that delivery times may be longer during public holidays or other periods outside our control.
For full shipping information, including delivery rates, please see our Shipping Policy.
No.We no longer deliver to PO Box addresses following our move to a new fulfilment partner. Please provide a residential or business street address when placing your order.
Yes. Hark & Zander products make beautiful gifts for birthdays, celebrations or simply letting someone know you're thinking of them.
If you'd like to include a personal message, you'll find a Gift Note field at checkout. We'll do our best to include your message with your order.
Yes. We want you to shop with confidence, which is why we offer a 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee on eligible purchases for our New Zealand customers.
If you've tried your product and it isn't right for your skin, simply contact us within 30 days of purchase. We may ask for a few photos to better understand your experience, and we'll guide you through the next steps, including providing a prepaid return courier bag where applicable.
If you'd like, we're also happy to recommend a product that may be better suited to your skin or help you get the most from your current routine. If you're still not completely satisfied, we'll happily honour our 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee.
To be eligible for a refund:
Yes. We've carefully designed our packaging to minimise waste while still delivering a premium experience.
Our skincare is packaged in glass wherever possible, and any plastic we do use is fully recyclable. Our product boxes are made from FSC® certified, sustainably sourced cardboard and are fully recyclable. We even designed our signature adhesive-free "origami" box to make recycling easier.
Most orders are shipped in a recyclable cardboard mailing box. During periods of heavy rain, we use mailing satchels made from recycled plastic to help ensure your order arrives safely and in perfect condition.
Sustainability is about continual improvement, not perfection. We regularly review our packaging and manufacturing processes to reduce waste and environmental impact. For example, we've reduced the weight of our protective shipping cartons by 43%, and rather than discarding perfectly good packaging when we make improvements, we use existing stock before transitioning to newer, lighter designs. We believe using what we've already produced is often the more responsible choice.
To learn more about our approach to sustainability, visit our Sustainability page.
Absolutely. Every person's skin is unique, so finding the right skincare isn't always straightforward.
Whether you're unsure where to start, have questions about your current routine, or would simply like help choosing the best Hark & Zander products for your skin, we're here to help.
Get in touch via our Contact page, and we'll provide personalised recommendations based on your skin concerns, goals and lifestyle. We'd love to help you build a skincare routine you'll enjoy using every day.
We'd love to hear from you. Behind every Hark & Zander order is a real person who genuinely cares about helping you find the right skincare.
Visit our Contact page and we'll be in touch as soon as we can.