Step 1 · Morning and night
Prebiotic Cream Cleanser
Cleans without that squeaky, tight "is my face shrinking?" feeling. Your skin should feel soft afterwards, not stripped.
Sensitive and reactive skin
For skin that reacts to everything you put on it
Hi, I'm Niki. I've spent 16 years as a skin therapist looking at faces that feel tight, itchy and fed up. Here's what I tell every one of them: your skin isn't being dramatic. It's tired. And it doesn't need more products, it needs fewer, gentler ones that look after it.
- Three steps, not twelve
- No harsh actives, no scrubbing, no drama
- Prebiotics that feed the good bacteria living on your skin
4.98 from 900 reviews
30-day money-back guarantee, even if opened
Free NZ shipping over $89
Made in NZ
Sound familiar?
Let me guess what's in your bathroom drawer
A serum you used twice. A "gentle" cleanser that wasn't. Something your friend swore by that made your face feel like it had been slapped. And a moisturiser that stings every single time, which you keep using because, well, it was expensive.
I see it every week. And it usually comes with:
- Skin that feels tight, itchy or prickly, especially at night
- Redness and heat when it's windy, after a hot shower, or on a stressful day
- Products labelled "sensitive" or "natural" that still set you off
- Being a bit scared to try anything new
If that's you, you're not fussy and you're not doing it wrong. Your skin's just been through a lot.
The internet's answer is usually "add an acid, add an exfoliant, add a 10-step routine". That's a bit like treating a headache by turning the music up. Every new product is one more thing for already-unhappy skin to react to.
The science, minus the lab coat
Your skin is basically an apple. (Stay with me.)
Cut an apple in half and leave it on the bench. Ten minutes later it's going brown. Not because it's a bad apple, but because its protective skin is gone.
Your skin barrier does that same job for your face. Wear it down with over-cleansing, harsh actives, wind, hormones or a new product every fortnight, and moisture slips out while everyday things start to irritate. Hello, tight, itchy, unpredictable skin.
There's one more character in this story. Your skin is home to millions of good bacteria that help keep it balanced. Think of them like a sourdough starter: you don't scrub it out, you feed it. Stripping cleansers and harsh products do the scrubbing. Prebiotics do the feeding.
So, my professional opinion: reactive skin rarely needs stronger products. It needs fewer, gentler ones, used every day. Be the whole apple.
The Core Ritual
The routine I'd hand you if you walked into my clinic
When someone sits in my chair with skin that reacts to everything, this is where I start them. Three steps, prebiotics in every one, and nothing your skin doesn't need.
Step 2 · Morning
Revitalise Day Cream
Light, comfortable hydration with hyaluronic acid, squalane and shea butter. Sits nicely under sunscreen and makeup, and doesn't make you feel like a glazed doughnut.
Step 3 · Night
Restorative Night Cream
A richer cream with rosehip, jojoba and blackcurrant seed oils. Night is when your skin does its recovery work, so this one tucks it in properly.
For extra comfort, add a few drops of Luminous Facial Oil at night.
Shop The Core Ritual · $189Calm, not stripped
No harsh actives or scrubs. Your skin's had enough of those.
Feeds the good guys
Prebiotics support the bacteria that help keep your skin balanced.
Dermatologically tested
Natural, cruelty-free and non-GMO, made with sensitive and allergy-prone skin in mind.
Made by a skin therapist
Created in New Zealand from 16 years of hands-on treatment room experience.
Kind words from our community
Don't just take my word for it (I'm biased)
★★★★★
“I have very sensitive skin but I've had no reaction at all. I usually know instantly with itching and dryness, but this was the complete opposite.”
★★★★★
“No drying, no irritation.”
★★★★★
“No irritation, no breakouts, just calm, glowing skin.”
Why I made MiTru IQ
I watched skincare get more complicated, and skin get more upset
For 16 years I've had a front-row seat to what happens on people's faces. Every year the routines got longer, the actives got stronger, and more clients came in with skin that felt sensitive, reactive or just plain confused.
So I stopped asking ‘what else can we add?’ and started asking ‘what does this skin actually need?’ The answer was almost always the same: support the barrier, feed the good bacteria, and keep it simple. That's MiTru IQ.
If you're not sure where to start, take my Skin Quiz. It asks the same questions I'd ask you in the clinic, minus the cup of tea.
Niki Gibbison, skin therapist and founder
What to expect
Good skin is a slow cook, not a microwave meal
I'll be honest with you, because a good skin friend should be. Nothing worth having happens overnight. Here's what a realistic first few weeks looks like.
From the first wash
Skin that feels clean and soft, not tight and squeaky.
Weeks 1 to 2
A routine that's easy to stick to, and far fewer products for your skin to react to.
Weeks 3 to 6
This is when a lot of my customers tell me their skin feels calmer and more comfortable.
Everyone's skin is different. Please patch test anything new first, mine included.
Honest moment
Is this right for your skin?
Yes, if
- Your skin feels dry, tight, itchy or reactive
- You react to lots of products
- You want a simple routine you'll actually stick to
- You'd rather look after your skin than battle it
Probably not, if
- Your skin is very oily
- You're after an acne treatment
- You have a skin condition that needs a doctor. Please see your GP or a dermatologist first; we'd rather you got the right help.
30-day money-back guarantee
Try it on your skin, not ours
I know trying something new feels risky when your skin's been let down before. If The Core Ritual isn't right for you, tell us within 30 days of delivery and we'll refund you, even if you've opened and used it. We just ask that it's at least half full.
Your questions
The things people ask me most
Is The Core Ritual suitable for sensitive skin?
Yes, that's exactly who I made it for: skin that's dry, sensitive, reactive or a bit unpredictable. It's dermatologically tested. As with anything new, patch test first. Your skin will thank you for the introduction.
What does prebiotic skincare actually mean?
Prebiotics are food for the good bacteria that live on your skin. Probiotics are the bacteria themselves. MiTru IQ feeds the good guys you've already got, a bit like feeding a sourdough starter instead of buying a new one every week.
Can I use it if I get breakouts?
A happier barrier can help skin feel more balanced, but I'll be straight with you: The Core Ritual isn't an acne treatment. If your skin is very oily or you have cystic acne, it's not the right fit.
What if it doesn't suit me?
Then you're covered by our 30-day money-back guarantee, even if you've opened it. No awkward conversations, promise.
Not quite ready?
That's okay. Let's get to know your skin first.
Take Our Skin Quiz
Two minutes, the same questions I'd ask you in the clinic, and a routine matched to your skin.
Take the Skin Quiz
Explore a gentle daily ritual
Choose the products that suit your skin and build a routine at your own pace.
Explore skincare
Fewer products. Calmer skin. Be the whole apple.
The Core Ritual: cleanse, protect, recover. Made in NZ by a skin therapist. 30-day money-back guarantee. Free shipping over $89.
Shop The Core Ritual, $189