We've got some exciting news to share: Neat has been featured in Verve Magazine's Best in Beauty 2026 awards — and not just once. We've landed a spot in four categories: Best Face Serum, Best Cleanser, Best New Beauty Product, and Best Skincare System, where we're proud to say we're the only brand featured.
We don't love throwing around big claims (you'll never catch us saying "clinically proven miracle cure"), so let's be precise about what this is: Verve's Best in Beauty is an annual editorial round-up of the beauty products worth knowing about, curated by their team across dozens of categories, from skincare and haircare through to cosmetic treatments and wellness. It's not a public vote and there's no single "winner" crowned per category — it's a shortlist of standouts. Four of ours made that shortlist this year, and in one category, we're the only one on it. Ten years into building a natural, Taranaki-made skincare brand from the ground up, that's a moment we're genuinely proud of — and one we wanted to share with you, because you're the reason these products exist in the first place.
Best Face Serum: Hydrate Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Our Hydrate Hyaluronic Acid Serum was named in Verve's Best in Face Serums line-up — and it's our most-sold, highest-rated single skincare product, so this one didn't come as a total surprise. Hydrate is a 100% natural, multi-molecular hyaluronic acid serum, which means it's formulated with five different molecular weights of HA rather than just one. In practice, that means it hydrates skin at multiple depths instead of sitting on the surface, drawing in moisture to visibly plump the skin and soften the look of fine lines. If you've been searching for a hyaluronic acid serum in NZ that actually absorbs (no sticky residue, no pilling under makeup), this is the one Verve picked out too.
Best Cleanser: Balance Daily Mineral Cleanser & Face Mask
Our Balance Daily Mineral Cleanser & Face Mask made Verve's Best in Cleansers category. Balance is a 100% natural, clay-powered 3-in-1: it cleanses, removes makeup (including waterproof mascara), and doubles as a face mask when you leave it on a little longer for a deeper mineral treatment. It's gentle enough for daily use without ever leaving skin feeling stripped or tight — which is exactly why it's the first step in our routine.
Best New Beauty Product: Smooth Eye Butter
Our newest hero, Smooth Eye Butter, was named in Verve's Best in New Beauty Products category. It's a silky eye treatment built around bakuchiol — a plant-based alternative to retinol that delivers similar smoothing and firming benefits without the irritation retinol can cause around the delicate eye area. Green tea and coffee are in there too, to help de-puff and brighten. Smooths fine lines, firms skin, and fades the look of dark spots, morning or night.
Best Skincare System: our 4-step routine (and we're the only brand featured)
This is the one we're most chuffed about. Verve's Best in Skincare Systems category features exactly one brand for 2026: us. Their write-up covers our full face routine — Balance to cleanse, Soothe to tone, Hydrate to plump, and Nourish to seal it all in — calling it proof that "simple works." No ten-step routine, no guesswork about what order to layer things in. You can shop the whole system in one go as our Healthy Skin Routine.
Frequently asked questions
Did Neat "win" Verve's Best in Beauty 2026?
We were featured, not crowned a single winner — Verve's Best in Beauty is a curated editorial selection covering several standout products per category, not a one-winner-takes-all award. What we can say plainly (and are very happy about) is that we're the only brand featured in the Best Skincare Systems category.
Where can I see the Verve feature?
You'll find it in Verve Magazine's September 2026 issue (Issue 234) and across their Best in Beauty 2026 category pages online. We've also added the badges to each of the featured product pages here on itsneat.nz, so you'll spot them while you shop.
What does each step in the Skincare System actually do?
Balance cleanses and lifts off makeup and daily buildup, Soothe tones and balances with organic rose and cucumber, Hydrate is the hyaluronic acid serum that plumps and hydrates, and Nourish is the cacay face oil that locks it all in. Used together morning and night, they're your complete face routine.
Is Neat skincare 100% natural?
Many of our products are 100% natural, including Hydrate, Balance, and Nourish — all featured in this Verve line-up. A few products across our wider range sit at 99% natural rather than 100%, so we describe the brand as "natural" overall and let each product's own listing confirm its exact natural percentage.
Can I use the Eye Butter alongside the 4-step routine?
Yes — Smooth Eye Butter is designed to slot in after Hydrate as the final eye-specific step, whether you're doing your full Healthy Skin Routine or just the essentials.
Shop the feature
All four featured products, plus the full routine, are ready to shop now — and the Verve badges are already live on each page. Explore the Healthy Skin Routine, or shop Hydrate, Balance, and Smooth Eye Butter individually. Thanks for being part of the last ten years — this feature is as much yours as it is ours.
