Propaira
Specialty Australian R&D dermatology company
Propaira is the label many Kiwis have never heard of - and one of the best-kept secrets in Australian dermatology.
Founded in Melbourne in 2010 by pharmaceutical scientist Baz Hamo, Propaira was built in response to unmet needs in the Australian Dermatology clinic. Propaira makes clinical formulations, developed and manufactured in Australia under strict GMP and ISO standards. It's become a trusted name on dermatology and GP clinic shelves across Australia for conditions like rosacea, chronic redness, and compromised or sensitised skin.
At Lucēre we stock Propaira's rosacea and redness range, pigmentation-correction sets, and everyday actives - real ingredients doing real work, at a great price point.
“I brought Propaira into Lucēre because it does something rare - clinical-grade formulations at an excellent price. It’s built by people with a pharmaceutical background, to the highest Australian standards, and it’s not owned by a big beauty corporation with fancy marketing, but don’t let that fool you - the results speak for themselves. I recommend it for rosacea, pigmentation and barrier-compromised skin, and for clients who want an accessible entry point into serious, results-driven skincare.”
Sometimes the simplest formula is the most effective one. This is a two-ingredient product: Petrolatum and Ceramide NP, and that's deliberate. Petrolatum remains one of the most extensively studied occlusives in dermatology, shown to speed barrier repair, reduce water loss and even support the skin's own antimicrobial defences, while Ceramide NP replenishes one of the key lipids skin loses when the barrier is compromised. No fragrance, no preservatives, nothing to react to - just fast, dependable relief for dry, cracked, or irritated skin, anywhere on the body.
Directions: Apply as needed to dry and irritated skin, any time of day. No restrictions on combining with other products.
Caroline Says: Built for the moments skin needs relief without anything else to react to. My daughter and I agree this makes an amazing lip balm - one of the best! As long as you don’t mind carrying around a larger tube.
Key ingredients: Petrolatum · Ceramide NP (3)
Free shipping on NZ orders over $150. Authorised Propaira stockist.
Rosacea Prone Skin - 3 Step Routine
Rosacea rarely responds to a single product - it responds to a consistent routine and management of internal and external triggers. This routine cleanses without stripping, calms redness and visible vessels, and targets the mite and bacterial activity that can drive flares.
STEP 1 - CLEANSE (AM & PM): Micellar Cleansing Cream
A soap and sulfate-free cleanse that won't disturb an already-compromised barrier. No lather, no residue, no reason to react. This micellar formula gently cleanses while delivering 4-Terpineol for its Demodex-targeting, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory action, plus Niacinamide and Zinc Gluconate to support the skin barrier with every wash. The same 4-Terpineol is antibacterial against C. acnes too, making this a sound cleanse step for anyone managing breakouts alongside redness.
Application: Remove makeup & spf first (pre-cleanse), then massage into face and neck gently. Rinse with warm water or remove with a tissue or cotton pad.
Key ingredients: 4-Terpineol · Niacinamide · Zinc Gluconate
STEP 2 - CALM (AM, or AM & PM): Rozaway Cream
Addresses what rosacea leaves behind - the redness, the visible vessels, the bumps that make this skin feel unpredictable. Its 5% Niacinamide is backed by an 8-week clinical trial showing a significant reduction in papule and pustule counts, alongside measurable erythema reduction and skin barrier restoration. Bisabolol adds targeted anti-redness action, while Zinc Gluconate rounds it out as an anti-irritant and antimicrobial.
Application: Once daily or to twice daily as skin tolerates. In the evening, apply after Demaway Plus to seal it in.
Key ingredients: 5% Niacinamide · Bisabolol · Zinc Gluconate
STEP 3 - TREAT (PM): Demaway Plus Cream
Rosacea and Demodex mites are closely linked, and this cream addresses that connection directly. Its key active, 4-Terpineol, is documented in peer-reviewed research as the single most effective component of tea tree oil for eradicating Demodex, without the irritation broader tea tree formulas can cause. It also carries broad-spectrum bactericidal action against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria - including C. acnes - and anti-inflammatory effects shown to suppress the pro-inflammatory response that keeps rosacea flaring.
Application: Once daily before bedtime, after cleansing and before Rozaway.
Key ingredients: 4-Terpineol · Niacinamide · Bisabolol · Zinc Gluconate
We recommend also purchasing Azelaic Complex Cream separately - for anyone wanting extra results for mild to moderate rosacea:
STEP 4 - EXTRA STEP (PM, alternate nights): 10 Azelaic Complex Cream
See product description for details.
Application: A thin layer to affected areas in the evening, alternating nights with Demaway Plus rather than layering. Use sunscreen the next day.
Key ingredients: 10% Azelaic Acid Complex · Vitamin B3 & B5
Caroline Says: Clients with rosacea often don't realise they have it, and end up using skincare that isn't suitable. Rosacea skin needs a lot of love with minimal or very targeted active ingredients - nothing more. This bundle takes out the guesswork. I suggest easing into the routine, and alternating the Azelaic (if you add it) rather than layering. Keep it simple.
Free shipping on NZ orders over $150. Authorised Propaira stockist.
A complete pigmentation-correction system - four clinically-backed actives, each targeting a different part of how pigmentation forms, so stubborn tone and melasma get addressed from multiple angles rather than relying on one ingredient.
Niaben TXA Cream - 3% Tranexamic Acid, 5% Niacinamide, Licorice Root Extract. Tranexamic acid works by inhibiting the hormone that stimulates melanocytes, making it particularly effective for hormonal pigmentation and melasma. Directions: Apply a thin layer to affected areas twice daily; use SPF before sun exposure.
Niaben HQ Cream - 1.4% Silymarin, 2% Alpha-Arbutin, 5% Niacinamide. A hydroquinone-free brightening cream - clinical research has found Silymarin comparably effective to 4% hydroquinone for melasma. Directions: Apply a thin layer twice daily.
Niaben RA Cream - 0.25% Liposomal Retinaldehyde, 7.5% Lactobacillus Ferment Filtrate, 5% Niacinamide, Licorice Root. A direct precursor to retinoic acid, converting faster than standard retinol while remaining better tolerated. Directions: Apply to face, neck and affected areas in the evening.
Niaben Mask - 10% stabilised Cysteamine, 3% Rumex Occidentalis Extract, Papain & Bromelain, 5% Niacinamide. A concentrated 15-minute weekly treatment - research shows Cysteamine performs comparably to the classic Kligman formula for melasma, with better tolerability. Directions: Apply to clean, dry skin, leave 15 minutes, then cleanse thoroughly.
Caroline Says: Because these four products have different active ingredients, I recommend building a personalised rotation rather than layering them all at once - book a skincare consultation (see "Shop or Discuss Skincare" on the appointments page) and I'll tailor a routine to your skin.
Free shipping on NZ orders over $150. Authorised Propaira stockist.
This ultra-light, tinted formula offers very high, four-hour water-resistant broad-spectrum protection, and its iron oxide pigments help block visible and high-energy visible light, the part of the light spectrum increasingly linked to worsening redness and pigmentation that UV filters alone don't touch. It's suited to acne-prone and reactive skin. Fragrance-free, preservative-free and nanoparticle-free, with added Niacinamide and Vitamin E, and it's built to sit comfortably over active treatments without clogging or irritating.
A note on shade: this is a single "Light Tone" shade rather than a range. Chemical (not mineral) filters mean it won't leave the white cast a zinc or titanium formula would on deeper skin. That said, a single light-to-mid iron oxide blend is unlikely to suit the very fairest or the very deepest skin tones evenly.
Directions: Apply generously as the final step of your morning routine, over any other skincare; reapply every two hours in direct sun.
Caroline Says: The best spf is the one you will actually use. This is a great option, it is light and feels like a moisturiser, not heavy or greasy.
Key ingredients: Iron Oxide Pigments · Niacinamide · Vitamin E
Free shipping on NZ orders over $150. Authorised Propaira stockist.
For bright, even skin tone - a dark spot corrector that targets localised pigment without hydroquinone. Hexylresorcinol is the hero here: at 1%, it's shown to perform comparably to 2% hydroquinone, without the same tolerability concerns. It's paired with Capryloyl Salicylic Acid to gently support cell turnover, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate (a milder azelaic acid derivative) to further even out tone, and Licochalcone A to calm skin while the actives work.
Directions: Apply once daily to the whole face. Use Propaira Sunscreen before sun exposure.
Caroline Says: This is a genuine step up in pigment correction without moving to hydroquinone or prescription-strength actives - a good entry point before considering the full Pigmentation Set.
Key ingredients: 5% Acetyl Glucosamine · 3% Capryloyl Salicylic Acid · 1% Hexylresorcinol · Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate · Licochalcone A
Free shipping on NZ orders over $150. Authorised Propaira stockist.
Azelaic acid is one of the most researched multi-taskers in skincare.
For rosacea and pigmentation: it's FDA-approved specifically for treating mild to moderate rosacea, with pivotal trials showing roughly half of patients achieving marked improvement or complete remission within 12 weeks. It's also well studied for uneven tone, and is specifically noted as a strong option for sensitive skin and darker skin tones, since it doesn't carry the pigmentation risk some other actives do.
For acne: it carries a recommendation from the American Academy of Dermatology, on the strength of trial evidence showing real reductions in both inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions.
That dual evidence base is what makes this cream unusually versatile - the same tube can address breakouts, redness and pigmentation without needing three separate products. Propaira's 10% complex is formulated for better skin penetration and comfort than plain azelaic acid, so you get the benefits with less of the tingling stronger formulas can bring. Vitamin B3 and B5 round it out, supporting barrier function while the azelaic acid does the work.
Caroline Says: Azelaic acid has one of the longer track records in dermatology for acne, redness and tone, which is what earned it a place here.
Key ingredients: 10% Azelaic Acid Complex · Vitamin B3 & B5
Free shipping on NZ orders over $150. Authorised Propaira stockist.
Propaira's SPF50+ Sunscreen Lotion is broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection in an ultra-light formula - free of preservatives, nanoparticles, and fragrance, with niacinamide for added skin benefit. Gentle enough for sensitive, post-treatment, or rosacea-prone skin, without compromising on protection.
Benefits:
Ultra-light lotion - no white cast, no heavy feel
Free of preservatives, nanoparticles, and fragrance
4 hours water resistance
Contains niacinamide
Complies with AS/NZS 2604:2021, New Zealand's sunscreen safety standard
Active UV filters: Homosalate (10%), Octocrylene (8%), Octyl Salicylate (5%), Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane (4%)
Apply liberally and evenly to clean, dry skin 20 minutes before sun exposure. Reapply every 1-2 hours, and after swimming, exercise, excessive perspiration, or towel drying.
Your everyday AM/PM defence against sun-driven ageing - an evidence-backed pairing that works while you go about your day, and while you sleep.
D.N.A. Resilience (AM) - Acetyl Zingerone, Photolyase, Forskolin, Astaxanthin, Niacinamide. Photolyase is a DNA-repair enzyme shown in clinical research to reduce sun-damage lesions from baseline; Acetyl Zingerone continues defending skin cells against UV damage even after sun exposure ends. Directions: Apply once daily each morning; follow with Propaira SPF50+ before sun exposure.
D.N.A. Repair (PM) - Forskolin, Niacinamide, Retinaldehyde. Forskolin has been shown to protect skin cells from UV-induced damage and increase DNA repair; Retinaldehyde is a more direct, better-tolerated precursor to retinoic acid than standard retinol. Directions: Apply once daily at night to sun-exposed areas.
Caroline Says: Genuine, research-backed sun-damage prevention built into a daily routine - not just another antioxidant serum.
Key ingredients: AM - Acetyl Zingerone · Photolyase · Forskolin · Astaxanthin · Niacinamide. PM - Forskolin · Niacinamide · Retinaldehyde
Free shipping on NZ orders over $150. Authorised Propaira stockist.
For dry, rough, or compromised skin - a concentrated body moisturiser that restores from the inside out, not just a surface layer of hydration. 10% Urea draws and holds water where skin needs it most, while Concentrated Ceramide 3 rebuilds the barrier to reduce water loss through the day. Saccharide Isomerate adds a prebiotic layer to support a healthy skin microbiome, rounded out with 8 amino acids and Vitamin B3 & B5 - the same building blocks and barrier proteins skin naturally relies on. Spreads easily and absorbs fast, with no greasy after-feel even at this concentration.
Directions: Apply a thin layer to the body 1-2 times daily. Store below 25°C.
Caroline Says: A concentrated formula rather than a basic body lotion - this is the one I reach for with clients who need more than surface hydration.
Key ingredients: 10% Urea · Ceramide 3 (Concentrated) · 8 Amino Acids · Vitamin B3 & B5 · Saccharide Isomerate (Prebiotic)
Free shipping on NZ orders over $150. Authorised Propaira stockist.
Formulated specifically for skin that runs hot: persistent facial redness, flushing. This reactivity that makes most active skincare feel like a gamble. Silymarin, extracted from milk thistle, has clinical trial data behind it for reducing non-transient erythema in rosacea-prone skin, and is paired here with Licochalcone A (a licorice-root derived soother), Niacinamide for barrier repair, and Caffeine to help de-puff and brighten.
Directions: Apply once daily to face and neck. If also using another active product, alternate rather than layering.
Caroline Says: This product is built around botanicals with real trial data behind them for calming persistent facial redness. It’s new to our clinic so we will have more to say about it soon.
Key ingredients: Silymarin (Milk Thistle) · Licochalcone A · Niacinamide · Caffeine · Bisabolol · Zinc PCA.
Free shipping on NZ orders over $150. Authorised Propaira stockist.
Skin rejuvenation doesn't have to mean potent actives. This night cream is built around 15% Lactic Acid, an AHA with decades of clinical use for smoothing texture, refining pores and encouraging cell turnover, paired with Saccharide Isomerate, a prebiotic ingredient shown to both hydrate deeply and reduce the irritation potential of AHAs when used together. As one of the gentler AHAs, lactic acid also helps clear the dead skin cell buildup that contributes to clogged pores, making this a supporting option for acne-prone as well as ageing or textured skin.
Directions: Apply a thin layer in the evening to the face and affected areas. Use sunscreen the following morning. If using alongside another active treatment, alternate nights rather than layering.
Caroline Says: This is a simple and well-studied approach to overnight renewal - 15% Lactic Acid is one of the gentler AHAs available, which is why it's often the starting point for reactive or sensitive skin. It’s a bonus that you wake up with that glassy skin look!
Key ingredients: 15% Lactic Acid · Saccharide Isomerate (Prebiotic)
Free shipping on NZ orders over $150. Authorised Propaira stockist.
A gentle, everyday alternative to retinol - high-strength Niacinamide paired with Bakuchiol, a plant-derived retinol analogue, without the sun sensitivity and irritation that often comes with retinol itself. 15% Niacinamide combats fine lines, photoageing, and sunspots while supporting skin's own immune function; 1% Bakuchiol boosts moisture rather than depleting it, and Grape Seed Oil adds antioxidant protection against free radicals.
Directions: Apply to face, neck and affected areas twice daily. For best results, cleanse thoroughly before each application.
Caroline Says: A good option for clients who want gentle retinol-style results but are hesitant about retinol itself - Bakuchiol is plant-derived and works more gently, so it's an easier starting point if you've been put off by irritation in the past, or simply prefer a more natural active.
Key ingredients: 15% Niacinamide · 1% Bakuchiol · Grape Seed Oil
Free shipping on NZ orders over $150. Authorised Propaira stockist.
Meet Propaira
Propaira was founded in Melbourne in 2010 by pharmaceutical scientist Baz Hamo, after years of research into problematic and sensitised skin. Rather than a mainstream cosmetics label, Propaira operates as a dedicated R&D dermatology company - its formulas are developed in close collaboration with dermatologists, GPs and dermal clinicians across Australia, and it's a regular sponsor and speaker at Australian dermatology conferences. Every product is manufactured in Australia under strict GMP and ISO guidelines, with sunscreens produced in TGA-approved facilities. Propaira is proudly Australian owned and made, and not tested on animals.