About Zeja

“

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.
— Leonardo da Vinci

Feed your skin what it understands naturally.

My name is Nicqui, founder and creator of Zeja Skincare.

The name Zeja comes from my family name, KurZeja. The Z is soft, like the "s" in treasure, and the J is pronounced like a Y. Zeja. Treasure for your skin.

Zeja is a piece of my heart.

My late father, Mieczyslaw Kurzeja, was a magnificent chef. Even now, I often think of him when I'm blending oils, melting butters, and creating in my skincare lab. In many ways, Zeja feels like an extension of what he taught me — that simple, quality ingredients, thoughtfully combined, can create something extraordinary.

Many years before Zeja was born, I found myself questioning the products I was using every day.  While navigating a challenging journey with infertility and trying to conceive, I became increasingly aware of what I was putting in and on my body.  Like many of us, I began reading labels, choosing simpler ingredients, and moving towards a more natural way of living.

The more I learnt, the more I wondered why so many skincare products contained long lists of unfamiliar ingredients, fillers, synthetic fragrances, and preservatives. It sparked a curiosity that would eventually become a passion.

Four years later, I welcomed my perfect beautiful daughter into the world, but the questions I'd been asking never left me. They became part of the foundation on which Zeja was built.

And then, in 2013, life gave me another unexpected nudge.

After a serious fall down a flight of stairs, I was left with facial scarring and began searching for natural ways to support my skin's healing. What started as a personal project soon became an obsession. I immersed myself in the study of botanicals, oils, skin health, and formulation.

The result was Intense Face Plant (ACC form)— a rich, nourishing balm that remains one of Zeja's most loved products today.

Soon after came Skin Salvation, originally created to soothe my daughter's eczema-prone skin, along with the many bumps, scrapes, and adventures that come with childhood.

Since 2014, Zeja has grown organically from a desire to create skincare that nourishes, protects, and honours the skin without unnecessary fillers, synthetic fragrances, harsh chemicals, or complicated routines.

From those humble beginnings, the Zeja range has continued to grow and evolve.

I have always believed that beauty doesn't need to be complicated.

Today, every Zeja product is handcrafted in small batches in Māpua, New Zealand, using carefully selected natural local ingredients chosen for their purpose, quality, and affinity with the skin.

Our philosophy is simple:  Feed your skin what it understands naturally.

Beyond skincare, Zeja is also about ritual.

It's about taking a few moments morning and night to reconnect with yourself. To slow down. To nourish not only your skin, but your sense of wellbeing.

With a background in counselling and mental health, I understand that how we feel on the inside often shows up on the outside. My hope is that Zeja encourages a more holistic approach to beauty — one that honours the connection between mind, body, nature, and self-care.

Thank you for being here.  I invite you to discover just how good your skin can feel when given the nourishment it truly understands.

Yours naturally, Nicqui  x

Pure by Nature. Made with Intention. Since 2014.