Hi! I'm Natsuko, founder of NÜKA.

I was born and raised in Japan, where tsubaki oil—known in English as camellia oil—has been treasured for generations. It wasn't until I spent years living abroad that I discovered the "camellia oil" I saw outside Japan often wasn't the same oil I had grown up knowing.

In Japan, tsubaki oil refers to Camellia japonica, a species native to Japan that has long been cherished in Japanese beauty rituals. Outside Japan, however, "camellia oil" often refers to Camellia oleifera, commonly known as the tea-oil camellia, a different species that is more widely available. Curious to understand the differences, I began researching their history, composition, and what has made Camellia japonica such an important part of Japanese haircare for generations.

What began as curiosity grew into a deep appreciation for tsubaki oil and eventually inspired me to create NÜKA. Today, many of our products are thoughtfully crafted with authentic tsubaki oil from Japan, bringing it to more people in a more sustainable way.

Whether you found NÜKA because you're curious about Japanese beauty, searching for better hair care, or simply looking to reduce plastic in your home, I'm so glad you found us.

I hope NÜKA becomes a small part of your daily ritual.

Thank you for being here.

— Natsuko