Totarol Skincare Benefits: The Science Behind TWYG

Aug 21, 2026by Tenielle Dunstall

Totarol Skincare Benefits: The New Zealand Botanical Active Behind TWYG

Some skincare ingredients become famous through trends. Totarol has attracted scientific interest because of the protective role it has performed in nature for millions of years.

Found within the heartwood of New Zealand's native Tōtara tree (Podocarpus totara), Totarol is a naturally occurring phenolic diterpenoid. It forms part of the tree's defence system, helping protect its heartwood against microbial and environmental degradation.

That protective intelligence has made Totarol an intriguing skincare ingredient. Research has shown it to have incredible antioxidant and antibacterial activity, while early human studies suggest that Bioactive Totarol™ may help reduce excess sebum and support a more even-looking complexion.

While not all hyaluronic acids are created equally this is also the same motto for Totarol. However, a innovative biotech skin care brand for New Zealand has found a technique to extract Bioactive Totarol™ in its most purest form, TWYG skincare.

We examines the studies and evidence behind Totarol skincare and why this rare New Zealand active deserves our attention when considering it in our skincare routine.

What is Totarol?

Totarol is a lipophilic botanical molecule found in the heartwood of Tōtara and several related Podocarp species. “Lipophilic” means it has an affinity for oils and lipids, including those found within cell membranes and the skin barrier.

Its molecular structure includes a free phenolic hydroxyl group. This enables Totarol to donate hydrogen atoms to unstable lipid radicals, which helps interrupt lipid peroxidation, the chain reaction through which oxidative stress damages lipids.

Unlike retinol or retinal, Totarol is not a vitamin A derivative. It is also not an exfoliating acid such as salicylic or glycolic acid. Its skincare interest comes from a different combination of properties:

antioxidant activity
antibacterial and antimicrobial activity
potential sebum-regulating effects
possible support for a calmer-looking complexion
protection of lipids against oxidative stress

This makes Totarol a multifunctional ingredient.

What are the benefits of Totarol for skin?

1. Antioxidant protection against oxidative stress

Oxidative stress occurs when reactive molecules overwhelm the skin's antioxidant defences. UV exposure, pollution and other environmental factors can contribute to this process, damaging lipids and proteins involved in healthy skin function and visible ageing.

The 2025 Hyperganic white paper reports a Lipid Peroxidation Inhibition Capacity result of 8.2 mmol Trolox equivalents per gram of dry weight for Bioactive Totarol™. It describes the ingredient as approximately seven times more effective than vitamin E in the specific lipid-peroxidation assay used.

That comparison requires context. It does not mean that every Totarol skincare product produces seven times the visible results of every vitamin E product. It measures antioxidant performance under defined laboratory conditions. The result nevertheless supports Totarol's ability to interact with lipid radicals and help protect lipid structures against oxidation.

Peer-reviewed research has also shown Totarol inhibiting mitochondrial and microsomal lipid peroxidation and reducing the autoxidation of linoleic acid. These findings help explain its potential role in antioxidant skincare.

2. Antibacterial activity relevant to blemish-prone skin

Totarol has been studied for activity against several Gram-positive bacteria, including Cutibacterium acnes—formerly Propionibacterium acnes, which is one factor involved in acne development.

In the laboratory testing reported in the white paper, Bioactive Totarol™ was incubated with three bacterial species for 24 hours. Under those test conditions:

0.1% Bioactive Totarol™ inhibited C. acnes growth by 96.1%.
0.5% inhibited C. acnes growth by 99.2%.
0.5% inhibited Staphylococcus aureus growth by 88.9%.
0.1% and 0.5% reduced Staphylococcus epidermidis viability by 100%.

skincare clinical study bioactive totarol TWYG

These are notable in-vitro results, meaning the ingredient was tested directly against microorganisms in a controlled laboratory environment.

The dose also mattered. The paper reports that at 0.01%, C. acnes and S. aureus growth increased numerically rather than decreased, although the changes were not statistically significant. This reinforces why concentration, delivery and the complete formula matter—not simply whether “Totarol extract” appears on an ingredient list.

Therefore back to my point. Not all Totals are created equal.

3. Early evidence for regulating excess sebum

Sebum is an important part of the skin's natural protective system, but excess sebum (we refer to this as oily skin) can combine with dead skin cells and contribute to congestion and blemishes.

The white paper describes an eight-week hemi-face study in volunteers aged 16 to 30 with acne-prone skin. Twenty-one people began the study and 20 completed it. Compared with baseline, the test material containing Bioactive Totarol™ was associated with a statistically significant reduction in measured sebum of:

17.5% after 28 days; and
28.2% after 56 days.

The study also reported a statistically significant 4.1% reduction in acne-lesion height at day 56. Reductions were observed in lesion area, number and volume.

These preliminary findings make Totarol particularly interesting for oily and blemish-prone skin.

4. Potential support for more even-looking skin

In a separate cohort with visible signs of facial ageing, the white paper reports a statistically significant improvement in measured skin homogeneity of 1.9% at day 28 and 6.8% at day 56 compared with baseline.

Numerical reductions were also reported in wrinkle and dark-spot measurements.

However, the stronger story remains Totarol's antioxidant activity and its potential to support skin exposed to oxidative and environmental stress.

Is Totarol good for oily, pimple-prone or acne-prone skin?

Totarol is a more gentle and clean ingredient alternative to the harsh ingredients for oily and blemish-prone skin. Its laboratory activity against C. acnes, combined with the early sebum findings, provide proof of its effectiveness.

For someone seeking a more natural and clean derived approach to pimples or excess oil, Totarol skincare is a simple, barrier-conscious routine that is proven to work. However, severe acne is a complex inflammatory condition involving sebum, follicular cell turnover, inflammation, hormones, genetics and microbial changes. Painful, persistent, cystic or scarring acne should be assessed by a GP or dermatologist.

What is Totarol extract and how is it produced?

TWYG's Bioactive Totarol™ is obtained from naturally fallen New Zealand Tōtara heartwood and selected wood offcuts. Living trees are not felled specifically to obtain the ingredient.

The heartwood is chipped before Totarol is isolated using high-pressure CO₂ extraction. A published international patent describes a near-critical-fluid process in which CO₂ carries Totarol from suitable plant material before the extract is separated and concentrated. The process can produce a Totarol-containing extract without conventional solvent residues.

TWYG describes its ingredient process as patented and works with its parent company, Hyperganic Biogroup, to bring Bioactive Totarol™ into skincare. The exact process is highly confidential and see a secret within the TWYG brand that you will not find with any other skincare brand.

How TWYG uses Bioactive Totarol™ in skincare

TWYG is the world's first luxury skincare range developed around high concentrations of Bioactive Totarol™. Rather than treating Totarol as a token botanical addition, the brand discloses the level used in each core formula.

Revive & Brighten Antioxidant Facial Serum — 1.5%

The lightest formula in the range combines Bioactive Totarol™ with Kakadu plum, a stable vitamin C derivative, bakuchiol and saccharide isomerate. It is designed to support hydration, brightness and antioxidant defence and may be the most approachable TWYG texture for combination or blemish-prone skin.

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Renewing Antioxidant Facial Oil — 3%

This is the TWYG product most relevant to people searching for Totarol oil. It combines Bioactive Totarol™ with squalane, bakuchiol, Kakadu plum and antioxidant plant oils to replenish dry or depleted skin and support a healthy-looking glow.

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Restorative Hydration Cream — 3.5%

TWYG's highest listed concentration of Bioactive Totarol™ is paired with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, squalane and Kakadu plum oil. The formula supports hydration and barrier comfort, including when skin feels dry or depleted.

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Regenerative Overnight Repair Mask — 2.5%

The overnight mask offers a richer recovery step for dehydrated, stressed or mature skin, combining Bioactive Totarol™ with replenishing supporting ingredients.

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Frequently asked questions about Totarol skincare

What is Totarol used for in skincare?

Totarol is used primarily for its antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Early research also suggests Bioactive Totarol™ may help regulate excess sebum and support more even-looking skin.

What are the main Totarol benefits?

The best-supported potential Totarol benefits include antioxidant protection of lipids, laboratory antibacterial activity and possible support for oily or blemish-prone skin. It is also being investigated for anti-inflammatory activity and visible-ageing applications.

Is Totarol a retinol?

No. Totarol is a botanical diterpenoid known for antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. Retinol is a vitamin A derivative used to influence skin-cell turnover. They are chemically and functionally different.

Can Totarol skincare help with pimples?

Totarol has demonstrated activity against acne in laboratory testing, and a small eight-week study reported reduced sebum and some improvements in acne-lesion measurements.

Can teenagers use Totarol skincare?

Older teenagers can use Totarol products but depending on their individual skin and the complete ingredient list. The white paper's acne-prone cohort included participants aged 16 to 30. Patch test first and seek medical advice for painful, persistent or scarring acne.

Is Totarol oil suitable for oily skin?

Facial oils can be used by some people with oily skin. Those who prefer a lighter texture may begin with TWYG's Revive & Brighten Antioxidant Facial Serum rather than its facial oil.

How long does Totarol skincare take to work?

The human studies reported in the white paper assessed skin after 28 and 56 days. Cosmetic results are gradual, so use products consistently for several weeks, avoid introducing several new formulas at once and stop if irritation develops.