Skin health, hormones, nutrition and everything in between. We brought The Group Chat by Caci to Tauranga for an evening dedicated to the conversations that matter to women.
On Thursday 29 October, we welcomed guests to the very first The Group Chat by Caci: Beyond Skin - an evening of expert insights, honest conversations, a few laughs and plenty of connection.
Bringing together over 120 women from across Tauranga, the event was all about creating space to talk openly about our health, confidence and wellbeing, and how these evolve through different stages of life.
Because while great skin is what we're known for at Caci, we know that feeling good goes well beyond the surface.
The conversations worth having
Hosted by wellness journalist and presenter Rachel Grunwell, the evening brought together three experts, each sharing their knowledge and perspectives on the things impacting women's health and wellbeing.
Katherine Kroon, from Caci, shared her expertise on skin health, the changes our skin experiences over time and the importance of understanding what our skin needs at different stages of life.
Dr Linda Dear, The MenoDoctor, women's health expert, brought valuable insights into hormones, perimenopause, menopause and the changes women experience throughout their lives.
Niki Loe, nutrition and gut health expert, explored the connection between what we eat, our gut health and our overall wellbeing.
Together, the panel sparked thoughtful discussions, challenged a few common misconceptions and reminded us just how interconnected our health, skin and wellbeing really are.
And perhaps most importantly, they helped make conversations that can sometimes feel complicated or personal a little more approachable.
Four experts, four takeaways
From understanding our changing skin to making small improvements to our everyday wellbeing, our speakers shared plenty of food for thought. Here are four themes worth taking away from the evening.
1. Great skin starts with understanding your skin
Katherine Kroon | Caci
Our skin can tell us a lot, but it doesn't always reveal the full picture of what's happening beneath the surface. Rather than guessing which products or treatments might work, understanding your individual skin needs is the first step towards achieving lasting results.
The takeaway: Invest in expert skin advice (A Caci consultation is free) and a personalised approach, rather than chasing the latest skincare trend or expecting one product to do it all.
2. Hormonal changes deserve more conversation
Dr Linda Dear | Menopause Doctor & Women's Health Expert
From perimenopause through to post-menopause, hormonal changes can affect far more than we realise - including our skin, sleep, mood and energy. Understanding these changes and knowing when to seek professional support can make navigating this stage of life a little easier.
The takeaway: Don't simply put every change down to ageing. Pay attention to your symptoms, ask questions and seek advice from a healthcare professional when something doesn't feel right.
3. Looking after your gut is part of looking after yourself
Niki Loe | Nutrition & Wellness Expert
The connection between gut health, nutrition and skin is an important part of the bigger wellbeing picture. But feeling good isn't just about what we eat. It's also about how we move, manage stress and build a positive relationship with our bodies.
The takeaway: Focus on nourishing your body, finding movement you enjoy and making sustainable changes that support your overall wellbeing - not just your appearance.
4. Small changes can make a big difference
Rachel Grunwell | Wellness Journalist, Author & Speaker
Good sleep, regular movement and managing stress are all important pieces of the wellbeing puzzle. But looking after ourselves doesn't have to mean overhauling our entire routine. Sometimes, it's the small, consistent habits that have the greatest impact.
The takeaway: Forget the perfect wellness routine. Choose one positive change you can realistically make, whether that's setting better boundaries, getting outside for a walk or prioritising sleep, and build from there.
The message that brought it all together?
Looking after ourselves is about so much more than what we see in the mirror. And whether it's our skin, hormones, nutrition or wellbeing, we don't need to have all the answers ourselves.
Sometimes, the best place to start is simply having the conversation.
More than just a panel discussion
Beyond the expert insights, the evening was an opportunity to connect, share experiences and enjoy a little time for ourselves.
From catching up over a drink to discovering new wellness brands and taking home a goodie bag filled with treats from our generous contributors, there was plenty to enjoy.
It was wonderful to see so many conversations continuing after the panel had finished - exactly what we hoped The Group Chat would inspire.
A big thank you to our community
The Group Chat wouldn't have been possible without the support of our incredible speakers, local Caci clinic teams, sponsors and brand partners.
A special thank you to Generate KiwiSaver, along with all the brands who contributed to making the evening such a memorable experience:
Refresh Renovations Tauranga, Remix, Nothing Naughty, Home Essentials, Uno, Skinsmiths, Eve Wellness, Nomu, GO Healthy, OBSERV, Mercure Hotel Tauranga, Lady Alchemy, Clean Collective, LiLash, True Tahiti, BlueBlockLight, Summer Brons and KX Pilates.
And of course, thank you to everyone who joined us in Tauranga. Your curiosity, enthusiasm and willingness to be part of the conversation made the night what it was.
The Group Chat is just getting started
At Caci, we're passionate about helping New Zealanders feel confident in their skin, at every stage of life.
The Group Chat by Caci is another way we're bringing that commitment to life - connecting our community with trusted experts, sharing knowledge and creating opportunities to have conversations that go beyond skin.
We can't wait to keep the conversation going.
Keep an eye on our website and social channels for more details about our next events.
