Carol Priest Organics has reopened its doors, right in front of the stunning Tāhunanui Beach this May. This new store reflects the beautiful, sustainable way of life that Nelson is known for. However, the journey to becoming a pioneer in natural skincare began much earlier, in 1988.
Carol Priest Organics was founded by Carol Priest, who, with a background in the pharmaceutical industry, became aware of the harmful effects of chemical ingredients on the human body. This realisation spurred her to develop natural skincare products in 1988.
The business initially operated from a historic cottage on Rutherford Street before expanding to a purpose-built factory at Founders Park. It later ran a store on Hardy Street for 14 years until 2019. In 2019, Gwiyoun Kim, who had worked in the brand’s exporting sector alongside Carol since 2003, naturally took over the business. Gwiyoun has been operating Carol Priest Organics in Korea, building relationships with buyers across Asia, where the products are distributed to high-end spas and department stores. Recently, Gwiyoun and her daughter Danna opened a store in Tāhunanui to reconnect with local customers and promote their natural skincare solutions.
Carol Priest Organics is one of the first skincare brands in New Zealand to be certified organic by receiving BioGro certification in 2006, setting a new benchmark in the beauty industry. Despite avoiding flashy marketing, the business has thrived, exporting to several countries and cultivating a loyal fan base.
Those who try Carol Priest products tend to remain loyal for decades as they appreciate the quality and transparency of the products.
“Carol Priest is a truly pioneering natural skincare brand,” explains Danna. “We have strictly banned the use of harmful chemicals since the day we started. We implemented full ingredient transparency even when it was not mandatory. We were one of the first skincare brands in the country to receive organic certification and we are now in the process of getting our entire skincare range certified organic. The beauty industry is not regulated worldwide, thereby so many brands market their products as ‘clean, natural, and organic’ without oversight. Being certified organic guarantees that no toxic chemicals are used - not only in the products but also in growing or harvesting our botanicals. We are excited to show our customers what genuinely natural means.”
For exceptional skincare products follow their social media, visit carolpriest.com or pop into the retail stores at 623 Rocks Road, and 12 Malthouse Lane, Nelson.
