Our Whānau and the story behind Back to the Wild
As a mum who spends most of her time tramping, skiing, and exploring with her kids, I needed sunscreen and other outdoor skincare that could handle New Zealand’s wild conditions - without the chemical nasties I didn’t want on our skin.
With a science degree and a love of DIY, I started formulating my own natural sunscreen just for our family. I made an extra batch for friends, and listed the leftovers on Facebook Marketplace - they sold out almost instantly!
This was when I realised I wasn’t the only one searching for something better, and Back to the Wild was born that night back in 2017!
Today, Back to the Wild offers a range of small-batch, handcrafted outdoor skincare that’s both effective and gentle on the earth. Every product is made with science-backed ingredients, independently SPF-tested, and packaged sustainably. We’re here to support families who live life outdoors - keeping skin safe, nourished, and ready for adventure.
Plus, we've expanded our range to include exclusive tramping books, getting kids excited to head out overnight tramping, and a range of curated tested by us outdoor gear!
And if you're into tips for living self-sufficiently, especially on a regular urban block, check out my personal @UrbanSelfSufficiencyNZ blog.
We hope you enjoy our products just as much as our family does!
xx Sonia.
Let customers speak for us
from 393 reviewsTried and tested! This sunscreen is effective and spreads easily without leaving white marks.
And the most important factor for us: it contains no harmful ingredients.
Highly recommend. Bought as gifts for a new mother. I already have multiple pots myself.
Lovely balm bought as a gift for a new mother. A small pot for the nappy bag and larger for home.
Rubs in well, doesn't leave white streaks. Keeps me protected as promised :)
This is a wonderful sun screen! It even helps with excema and leaves my skin feeling moisturized. Thank you guys for making such a lovely product!
6+ years ago I bought this conditioner alongside the shampoo bar to change from bottle brands. Only my child with dry curly hair needs to use the conditioner bar as a detangler on occasion otherwise the shampoo bar is enough even for dry curly hair kid.
I highly recommend Sonias shampoo and conditioner bars... perseverance is key and you may find you need to do the odd vinegar wash in the beginning.
This sunscreen is as described - its perfect.
My kids have a small tin each in their schoolbags which they put on with no fuss.
Our family has been using this sunscreen for over 6yrs.
Great product and has worked well with my little one that has eczema :)
Excellent sunscreen. Dab it on all over with finger tips then rub in for easy coverage. Hasn’t let me down so far, good protection from sun and wind burn.
Love this conditioner, I treat my hair to two applications each time and it leaves my curly hair lovely and soft.
Lasts for ages , just remember to keep it dry between uses.
Great for the swimming bag.
I have severe skin issues on my hands from burns as a child, caused by boiling porridge and, later, in a fire.
Dry scaly and frequently itchy and bleeding weeping sores have been a constant issue for over 60 years and I've tried everything, and I mean everything that both doctors and herbalists have tried or suggested.
The Kawakawa and Ti tree oil balm isby a huge margin, the very best treatment I have ever used and, right now, if you look at my hands, they are scale and crack free after 2 months of 3 - 4 times daily application.
I can't thank you enough and I will forever be grateful to have stumbled across your lovely company and this amazing product.
From the bottom of my well scarred hands, thank you so much.
You now have a forever customer.
If I could, I would give this extra stars!! This product is amazing. We spent ten days in Nelson Lakes and I did not get one sand fly bite. I love the smell and the non-oily residue. We took a supermarket product as well and found this to be far superior, easy to apply and no leave behind oils on your hands or clothes. I can’t rate this highly enough.
Easy to apply, great protection for 2-3 hours and we were swimming too. I love the peace of mind that comes with using products that have no nasties and are made locally.
Want to know more?
Check out my personal @urbanselfsufficiencynz blog, or my husband's Drainage business - Drain Guru
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