From down udder to Aotearoa: Moogoo’s Natural Skincare Revolution
Tucked on the fringe of the Wiri Business District, MooGoo is an Australian-born skincare powerhouse that expanded across the Tasman in 2022. We talked to New Zealand Manager, Vicki Nepia-Murray, about the origins of MooGoo skincare, how the New Zealand market is growing, and why MooGoo is the go-to skincare range for anyone seeking gentle, effective and natural solutions.
MooGoo’s story began with a problem to solve. Founder Craig Jones’ mother had psoriasis and found that a thick paste, originally used on the udders of dairy cows, worked wonders. Craig reformulated the paste into a lighter, non-greasy version and named it MooGoo. The formula, rich in oils and milk protein, quickly gained a loyal following through word-of-mouth.
“Moogoo skincare is all natural; there is no paraffin, parabens and phenoxyethanol or other nasty chemicals used, even our Sunscreens are marine friendly, in fact, you could eat our products – not that we’d suggest it!” says Vicki. The brand philosophy being, that if it isn’t good enough to eat, it isn’t good enough for the skin.
With a commitment to skin health and no nasties, MooGoo has steadily grown from a home-based project into a brand known and trusted globally.
“There are over 40 products in our range which include cleansers, moisturisers, serums, sunscreens, and even oncology care kits for chemo and radiation patients, designed to support sensitive, eczema-prone, or irritated skin.”
“Our best sellers in New Zealand are the shampoos, conditioners, deodorants, moisturiser’s, fluoride free Moothpaste (toothpaste) and face serums.”
Over time, the company has expanded into two additional brands that reflect the same values and target specific needs.
“There are two additional brands in Australia; Dr Zoo, a natural range of skin and fur care products for our furry friends; and A Bit Hippy, vegan-friendly skincare for sensitive skin,” says Vicki.
“These brands, along with the full MooGoo range, we hope will be available in New Zealand in the future. We’re concentrating on growing MooGoo here for now, and then we’ll need a bigger warehouse!”
With around 100 staff across the globe, MooGoo is quickly becoming a well-known brand that’s as accessible as it is ethical.
“We have warehouses in Australia, New Zealand, the UK and the United States. We have distributors in the Ireland, Canada, Malaysia, and parts of Europe.”
In keeping with their ethical values, MooGoo takes a strong stance on animal welfare. Founder and CEO Craig Jones recently turned down a lucrative opportunity to export to China because he refused to have his products tested on animals.
“We don’t test our products on animals,” a non-negotiable principle that aligns with the expectations of today’s conscious consumers.
The brand’s arrival in New Zealand was anything but conventional.
“MooGoo came to New Zealand in 2022, when COVID regulations were still in place. In fact, the week I was supposed to leave Australia and accept our first shipment, there was the Auckland lockdown!” Vicki recalls.
Despite the uncertainty of those early days, MooGoo found its feet quickly.
“Things didn’t slow down for us during the COVID period, if anything we were busier! People had more time to browse and purchase online.”
MooGoo’s success is not just based on great products, but also on a responsible approach to packaging and sustainability.
“We use recycled plastics in our packaging,” Vicki says. This is part of a broader effort to reduce the environmental impact of the brand while continuing to provide high-quality natural skincare.
With a growing customer base in New Zealand and continued innovation across its product lines, MooGoo is poised for even greater things in the years ahead. Whether it’s their down-to-earth origins, commitment to quality, or their passion for skin health, MooGoo is clearly here to stay.
As Vicki puts it, “We’re excited to keep growing and helping more Kiwis discover what natural skincare really feels like.”
MooGoo is stocked at Chemist Warehouse, Baby Factory and other health stores and pharmacies nationwide. If you want to learn more about MooGoo, check out their website https://moogoo.nz/.
