return and refill service is offered for coconut oil purchased by
the hospitality industry and any spare 5L plastic containers are
snapped up by the local community. Robert and Susan even
go so far as to return back to the supplier plastic bags used in
shipping.
end product tested and
refined for 6 months prior
to release.
“Tamanu oil is fantastic on burns, for any skin healing, and
mosquito bites or bee stings,” says Susan. “The pure tamanu
oil has remarkable anti-aging properties and is used in our
Revitalising Eye Cream, After Sun Soothing Gel and Reviving
Facial Oil.”
Tamanu nuts are collected where they fall. The shelled nuts,
similar in appearance to a macadamia, are then spread out to
dry on a specialised drying table in their front yard.
Other key ingredients are sourced from far and wide through
trusted suppliers: cacay oil from South America, mamaku fern
extract from New Zealand, Fucoreverse™ anti-aging active
marine kelp from the Atlantic, abyssine deep sea algae harvested
from hydrothermal vents in French Polynesia, as well as
essential oils.
No animal testing is used, Susan and Robert relying on
international research to substantiate the healing and anti-aging
properties of their ingredients, as well as human trialling of
each new product.
While running a business
on a small Pacific island
has its challenges, in
particular a supply chain
which is dependent on
weather conditions,
Rito Cook Islands
continues to grow. As
their international market
expands there are plans to invest in new equipment and
increase production.
Some things will change but others will remain the same.
Their top product, Revitalising Moisture Cream, has been with
Rito Cook Islands right from the beginning. And the natural
goodness of coconut oil, a tradition passed from grandmother
to granddaughter - that too will remain.
Find Rito Cook Islands full range of products, including
gift vouchers, at Tikioki, Saturday mornings at Punanga Nui
Market, and retailed at CITC Pharmacy and selected resorts.
Contact via Facebook or email [email protected]
It’s a very short walk from where the
coconut oil is produced to the lab where
Susan makes all of the skin care range.
“This is where it all happens,” she says,
small quantity batches of each product
carefully put together, with a new
batching machine allowing them to code
and date products for tracking purposes
in overseas markets.
weaving nature
and science
Rito Cook Islands skin care is now
distributed by The Six Senses in New
Zealand, the new look range found
in selected locations including Life
Pharmacy, Unichem and boutique spas.
An email request three years ago from a
spa in Japan saw a range of specifically
blended oils move even further afield.
“If a spa comes to me and wants
something a little bit different then I can
make it up for them,” Susan says.
The development of new ideas is always
in the pipeline, Susan researching
ingredients that fit within their
sustainable ethos. It all takes time - the
newly released Revitalising Facial Oil was
first discussed over a year ago, and the
premium natural skincare
made
m
a d e w
with
i t h l love
o v e i in
n R
Rarotonga
a r o t o n g a
Visit us 150m on the Muri side of the Fruits of Raro
+682 20 134 | [email protected]
Escape Magazine • 67