To celebrate TWYG’s new face mask launch, I joined founder Steph Davies and some friends of the brand on a nature-filled escape to Rotorua recently. The trip was inspired by TWYG’s star ingredient, Bioactive Totarol™, and we even got to visit a 1,000-year-old Tōtara tree—where Totarol comes from! We soaked in Rotorua’s geothermal springs and reconnected with the land, and our amazing host Taz from Kohutapu Lodge made the experience feel even more special. The whole trip was a celebration of TWYG’s authentic, sustainable spirit, and getting to know Steph’s warmth and kindness really showed what the brand is all about. We also sat down with Steph to chat about her career, the inspiration behind TWYG, and what’s next.

Ryan and Steph Davies, Co-founders of TWYG

Could you tell us a bit about your background and what led you to begin your journey with TWYG?

My background is in advertising and marketing. I’ve been helping brands grow for over a decade so when the opportunity arose to join the family business and help grow Totarol globally, I jumped at the chance. Seeing my parents' passion around the ingredient and its potential in human health from an early age, I knew there was something rare and special we were a part of, and I feel (to this day) immensely privileged to be part of the journey.

Creating TWYG felt like a natural evolution for the business—a chance to craft something truly unique for our customers with Totarol at its core. Putting this remarkable ingredient front and center was an obvious choice, and it had never been done before. Selling the raw ingredient around the world is a great achievement and export story, but being able to craft a premium, efficacious brand around this incredible, unique New Zealand ingredient story felt right, and necessary.

Can you share the story behind the brand and how its hero ingredient, Totarol™, became central to its vision?

TWYG’s story begins with an extraordinary ingredient: Bioactive Totarol™, a potent extract sustainably sourced from New Zealand’s ancient Tōtara tree. As the exclusive global manufacturers of Totarol, our family has supplied this powerhouse to the cosmetics market for over 20 years, but we saw an opportunity to do something groundbreaking. After collaborating with chemists, we were inspired to create TWYG — a luxury skincare brand that showcases Totarol’s remarkable potential to protect, renew, and restore. For over 100 million years, Totarol has shielded the Tōtara tree from environmental threats, and now it defends your skin from damage and premature aging. Sustainably harvested only after a tree’s natural lifecycle ends, Totarol is extracted through a patented process that preserves its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory benefits. TWYG blends nature and science to deliver the world’s first high-dosage Totarol skincare line, combining purity with maximum efficacy.

Totarol™ is your star ingredient, but some readers might be unfamiliar. Could you explain what it is and how it benefits the skin?

Totarol is a highly active compound found in the heartwood of the New Zealand Tōtara tree that naturally preserves and protects the tree for hundreds of years. Totarol is a true natural superhero, providing a range of benefits including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It is a completely natural, unique and organically certified extract. Bioactive Totarol™ strongly inhibits lipid peroxidation and scavenges ROS (reactive oxygen species); its high antioxidant properties have been tested and proven to be seven times more effective than Vitamin E, a popular antioxidant used across skincare. It works to protect skin from environmental stressors and premature aging by neutralizing free radicals. Its antibacterial qualities make it effective in preventing and treating blemishes without stripping the skin, while its anti-inflammatory benefits help to calm redness and irritation. This unique combination makes Bioactive Totarol™ an excellent choice for promoting a clear, balanced, and resilient complexion, especially for those looking to address aging, sensitivity, or breakouts naturally.

It is only found in the Tōtara tree, a lineage that is 100 million years old and which is completely unique to New Zealand. Totarol grows inside the heartwood of the tree and after around 150 years of growth is in abundance throughout the tree.

Science has unlocked the way to access this super ingredient, however the methods of sourcing Tōtara and extracting Totarol are extremely sustainable, adopting a circular economy. Green waste (off cuts of logs) are only used, and the by-product post extraction is returned to mother earth for further plant growth. We also have a tree planting program in place, ensuring forests are being regenerated.

TWYG has a sister brand, byebyebad. Could you share a little about it and how it complements TWYG?

byebyebad is TWYG’s fun, accessible sister brand. While TWYG is all about luxury skincare, byebyebad brings Bioactive Totarol™ into the everyday personal care space. Our first product, the Natural Hand Protector, was a timely answer to post-pandemic anxiety over harsh sanitizers. Unlike traditional options, it’s alcohol-free and harnesses Totarol to form a protective layer that keeps “bad” bacteria at bay while allowing beneficial bacteria to thrive — plus, it nourishes skin with a blend of Kawakawa, Hemp, Manuka, and Echinacea.

byebyebad has since expanded to include innovative products like prebiotic hand washes, mouth refreshers, and even a Blue Light Face Shield. The latter is especially revolutionary, recognising the need to protect our skin from the blue light emitted by devices. Infused with Bioactive Totarol™ and EnergiNius® from Indian Ginseng, this shield helps prevent fine lines and protects your skin much like sunscreen does for UV exposure.

In essence, while TWYG is a luxury skincare line, byebyebad plays in the FMCG space, offering accessible, innovative solutions that bring Totarol’s benefits to the forefront of everyday personal care. Together, they make Bioactive Totarol™ a part of daily life, serving different consumer needs with the same commitment to efficacy and natural, New Zealand-sourced goodness.

How did you come up with the name TWYG, and what does it represent?

TWYG (pronounced twig), is symbolic of the regenerative power of our skincare. Just as a twig is a new shoot that represents new life, our products are scientifically proven to regenerate and renew skin cell turnover. Every aspect of the TWYG brand identity has a clear link back to either Totarol or the tree it comes from, and this was by design.

The packaging of your products is striking—almost like small art pieces. What was the inspiration behind this design choice?

The packaging was a purposeful, visual element for showcasing Totarol, Tōtara and the brand in a completely distinctive, unexpected way. Outside of just being beautiful objects to admire, the bottles represent our ‘forest of skincare’ and embody the essence of the brand.

The ethos behind TWYG is about celebrating the ritual of skincare, by igniting ALL the senses. Whether that be through seeing the small forest with our unique, bespoke packaging, smelling the uplifting natural scents, feeling the potent products working into your skin or hearing how the rich story of TWYG’s origin comes to life. All these ignited senses are about connecting our community back to nature in an authentic way.

There’s a noticeable shift toward skincare rooted in biology and natural ingredients. Why do you think consumers are drawn to this, and what benefits does it offer?

I believe consumers are increasingly drawn to skincare rooted in biology and natural ingredients because there’s a growing awareness of the impact synthetic products can have — not just on our skin but on our overall well-being and the planet. People are seeking out products that truly connect them to the source of their ingredients, valuing purity, sustainability, and efficacy over the complex, chemical-laden formulas of the past. At TWYG, we’ve built our brand around this philosophy. Using Bioactive Totarol™, our skincare is as close to nature as it gets, yet powerfully effective.

I think the future of skincare lies in blending nature with science, creating products that work with the body’s own biology. Bioactive ingredients, like Totarol, offer targeted benefits — antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties — all without harsh side effects. As more people seek to simplify their routines and focus on what truly benefits their skin, skincare will become less about masking problems and more about supporting and strengthening the skin’s natural functions. For us at TWYG, this means developing high-efficacy formulas that nourish, protect, and empower the skin, while being mindful of our environmental impact. I’m excited to see how skincare evolves, with products that are not only effective but also respectful of the body and our planet. In our vision, future skincare routines will be a celebration of natural resilience, harnessed in ways that honour both our skin and the earth.

You recently celebrated the launch of a face mask with a trip to Rotorua. Could you tell us about the inspiration behind this launch event and some of its highlights?

To celebrate the launch of our new face mask, we took a small group of friends of TWYG to Rotorua, immersing ourselves in the stunning landscapes and rich heritage of Aotearoa. The trip was deeply inspired by the natural roots of our brand and our hero ingredient, Bioactive Totarol™. One of the highlights was visiting a majestic, 1,000-year-old Tōtara tree — the origin of Totarol — which felt like a true pilgrimage to the source of our products’ power. We also indulged in Rotorua’s geothermal springs, soaking up the natural beauty and reconnecting with the land that inspires everything we create.

This wasn’t just about relaxation (though that was definitely a bonus!); it was a way to honor the natural origins of TWYG and our commitment to sustainability and authenticity. Every part of the experience reminded us of why we do what we do — melding nature and science to create skincare that’s both luxurious and deeply connected to the earth. Sharing that experience with others felt perfectly aligned with our ethos, where beauty isn’t just in the product, but in the journey and the source.

What results can people expect from using your products, and how quickly do they typically see a difference? Are there specific age groups or skin types that benefit most?

With TWYG products, you can expect transformative results, thanks to our powerhouse of antioxidants, especially Bioactive Totarol™, which tackles environmental damage and protects the skin. Totarol’s unique combination of antioxidant and antimicrobial properties makes it particularly effective for rejuvenating and protecting the skin while also addressing issues like congestion and acne.

Our range is designed to suit various skin types and age groups, especially those looking to combat the early signs of ageing or address specific concerns like dullness, fine lines, and sensitivity. For those with acne-prone or congested skin, Totarol’s antimicrobial properties help reduce breakouts by inhibiting the growth of acne-causing bacteria, while its antioxidant action supports a clearer, more resilient complexion.

Each TWYG product is packed with high-performing active ingredients that work in harmony with Totarol for maximum efficacy. The serum is crafted to brighten and reduce pigmentation, the oil provides deep nourishment and promotes elasticity, the cream hydrates and protects against environmental stressors, and the mask is a potent overnight treatment designed to repair and restore.

Results can vary, but many people notice a difference within the first few weeks of consistent use. We’re also currently conducting clinical trials in Europe to further validate Totarol’s efficacy, so we’ll soon be sharing even more robust data on the transformative benefits of our formulas.

Interview : Zeenat Wilkinson
Imagery : Supplied by TWYG

TWYG’s Steph Davies on her top business lessons, new face mask, and the magic of Totarol™

Could you tell us a bit about your background and what led you to begin your journey with TWYG?

Can you share the story behind the brand and how its hero ingredient, Totarol™, became central to its vision?

Totarol™ is your star ingredient, but some readers might be unfamiliar. Could you explain what it is and how it benefits the skin?

It is only found in the Tōtara tree, a lineage that is 100 million years old and which is completely unique to New Zealand. Totarol grows inside the heartwood of the tree and after around 150 years of growth is in abundance throughout the tree.

TWYG has a sister brand, byebyebad. Could you share a little about it and how it complements TWYG?

How did you come up with the name TWYG, and what does it represent?

The packaging of your products is striking—almost like small art pieces. What was the inspiration behind this design choice?

The packaging was a purposeful, visual element for showcasing Totarol, Tōtara and the brand in a completely distinctive, unexpected way. Outside of just being beautiful objects to admire, the bottles represent our ‘forest of skincare’ and embody the essence of the brand.

There’s a noticeable shift toward skincare rooted in biology and natural ingredients. Why do you think consumers are drawn to this, and what benefits does it offer?

You recently celebrated the launch of a face mask with a trip to Rotorua. Could you tell us about the inspiration behind this launch event and some of its highlights?

What results can people expect from using your products, and how quickly do they typically see a difference? Are there specific age groups or skin types that benefit most?

Results can vary, but many people notice a difference within the first few weeks of consistent use. We’re also currently conducting clinical trials in Europe to further validate Totarol’s efficacy, so we’ll soon be sharing even more robust data on the transformative benefits of our formulas.

Dayne Johnston