There’s a new botanical skincare brand on the block and I’ve been lucky enough to trial its products, learn more about its ethos, brand values and more. Let me share Katoa Botanicals with you.
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Who Is Katoa Botanicals?
Katoa, is the creation of Penny, a professional makeup artist (with clients Stacey Solomon & Laura Witmore) who understands the importance of skin prep for makeup. Well-cleansed, hydrated and prepped skin will always result in a more flawless makeup look!
Katoa botanicals is inspired by the symbiotic connection between people and planet. Penny, the brand’s founder, believes in reconnecting people to the land. Her heritage as a Māori descendant and her upbringing on a New Zealand farm instilled in her the value of our planet and the power of its plants.
The products are made in the UK with ingredients sourced from France & Italy. The packaging is compostable, which I love, the brand focusses on sustainability, is certified Bcorp and is Leaping bunny certified cruelty free. A lot of good in terms of core brand values there!
Katoa products are science-backed formulated with Biotech ingredients including bio ferment.
I have two skincare products to talk you through today!
Katoa Botanicals Cleansing Enzyme Butter.
Formulated to deeply cleanse and detoxify the cleanser utilises plant based ingredients to brighten skin.
Key ingredients:
- Papaya Enzymes
- Lactic Acid
- Natural lipid & ceramide complex
The Cleansing Enzyme Butter is a unique texture, different from any I’ve tried before. It is akin to butter in texture but somewhat stickier compared to a transitional balm. It smooths on easily and gives you grip to massage well, great for removing product.
It easily emulsifies with water and a massive plus is there being zero residue whatsoever!
The cleanser can be removed with a cloth or with water.
It contains AHA, 4% papaya enzymes, lactic acid so it gently exfoliates, leaving skin brighter. The addition of the exfoliating acid is great at helping keep skin smooth and even out texture, all of this helps makeup apply seamlessly.
It’s best to avoid the eye area due to AHA. The cleanser is fragrance free, but does have a refined ingredient scent.
Cleaning Butter is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin, however, as always, it’s best to use your own judgment here. As the cleanser has AHA’s I am careful not to use it twice a day, or when using strong retinoids.
Cleansing Enzyme Butter £49.00 100ml
Katoa Botanicals Luminous Hydra Créme
This is a smoothing and nourishing cream with tuberose plant cells to aid in the reduction of discolouration and fine lines. It is silicone free but has ingredients that mimic silicone to give you that slip. Luminous Hydra Cream feels soothing and luxurious; my skin drinks it up! I’m left with a healthy, radiant complexion that is velvety smooth to touch.
Like the Cleansing Butter, Luminous Hydra Créme is suitable for all skin types and fragrance free.
Katoa Botanicals Luminous Hydra Créme £55.00 50ml
A Note On Fragrance
In keeping with its sustainability focus, Katoa Botanicals does not add fragrance to its products. The scent is purely a refined ingredient one. To me, it smells somewhat earthy, natural, putty-like. The lack of synthetic fragrance isn’t a miss for me, nor does the natural scent put me off.
Preservatives
As the brand is focused on planet-first ethos, their products are formulated without synthetic preservatives.
The brand uses natural preservatives, ascorbic acid, salicylic acid and benzoyl in small amounts (.6% acts as a stable compound) for bacterial and microbial protection.
My personal preference in general, on this topic is to opt for synthetic preservatives but I appreciate the research and product development the brand has undertaken here.
My advice is to always ensure products are kept in a cool place and ensure they’re used within their ‘use by date’.
Is Katoa Botanicals For You?
It was an absolute pleasure to attend the masterclass with Penny and really understand her passion, her family heritage, history and the ethos of the brand. I really think this passion shines through in the products.
Everything about them feels earthy, homely, and caring. Katoa Botanicals is for you if you’re interested in skincare formulated with plant-based, biotech ingredients and wish to support brands that have sustainability in mind.
Katoa Botanicals is available online here
You can watch the two products in a routine on my Instagram here
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