FOUR INGREDIENTS. EVERY ONE WITH PURPOSE.

NATIVE BOTANICAL. EXCEPTIONAL COMPANY.

Kawakawa leads. Carefully chosen oils and beeswax bring softness, glide and moisture-sealing care. Discover the purpose, craft and ingredient science behind every tin.

THE HEART OF OUR BALM

Fresh green kawakawa leaves

OUR HERO / TARANAKI-GROWN

KAWAKAWA

The botanical heart of our balm. Kawakawa (Piper excelsum) brings a remarkable New Zealand story to everyday skincare. We gather our leaves in Taranaki and slowly sun-infuse them in extra-virgin, cold-pressed olive oil—the foundation of our family recipe.

A heritage of soothing care. Long valued in rongoā Māori, kawakawa has traditionally been used in topical preparations for skin complaints, including eczema, bites, stings and grazes. That history is an important part of why this native leaf remains so valued today.

Remarkable natural compounds. University of Auckland researchers, working with Wakatū Incorporation, identified more than 60 biologically active compounds in kawakawa leaves. Pellitorine was the most abundant compound identified; researchers describe its numbing activity and involvement in pathways that reduce inflammation. These findings help explain scientific interest in the plant, rather than establish pain relief or treatment effects for our finished balm.

Comfort for dry, hardworking skin. Our kawakawa infusion combines with coconut oil and beeswax to create rich, water-free care that softens rough patches and helps retain moisture. From dry knuckles to heels and elbows, it is made for the areas that need extra attention.

Explore the University of Auckland research

Golden extra virgin olive oil

EXTRA-VIRGIN / COLD-PRESSED

OLIVE OIL

The infusion foundation. The nourishing glide. Our extra-virgin, cold-pressed olive oil carries our slowly prepared kawakawa infusion through every tin. It gives the balm its rich glide, making it easy to massage into dry hands, cuticles, heels and elbows.

Olive oil is the traditional choice for extracting kawakawa’s medicinal compounds because it is highly stable, slow to oxidize, and deeply absorbs into the skin.

  • Calms Intense Inflammation: The olive oil extracts kawakawa’s active chemical compounds, like myristicin and pellitorine, which actively block inflammatory pathways. This makes the balm exceptionally potent for calming flare-ups of eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, and angry skin rashes.

  • Relieves Pain and Itching: Pellitorine provides a mild, natural numbing effect upon contact. It instantly takes the "sting" or "itch" out of bug bites, nettle stings, minor burns, and hives.

  • Antioxidant Repair: Olive oil itself is packed with vitamins A and E, alongside powerful plant lignans from the kawakawa. Together, they scavenge free radicals and stimulate cellular repair to fix cracked heels, dry cuticles, and chapped lips.

The science behind the texture. Olive oil is made largely of triglycerides—fats containing fatty acids, including oleic acid. In our blend, these oils work alongside coconut oil and beeswax to provide a smooth application and a rich, protective finish.

Time is part of the recipe. We slowly sun-infuse our kawakawa leaves in this oil before blending the balm. The result is a practical foundation for our hero ingredient and everyday care for skin that feels rough, dry or weather-exposed.

Natural coconut oil

CERTIFIED ORGANIC / EXTRA-VIRGIN / COLD-PRESSED

COCONUT OIL

The moisture and softness booster. Our certified-organic, extra-virgin, cold-pressed coconut oil gives the balm its creamy richness. It softens with warmth, helping the blend melt smoothly across the skin as you massage it in.

  • Antibacterial & Antifungal Protection: Coconut oil is rich in lauric acid, a natural antimicrobial agent. It keeps minor cuts, grazes, scratches, and fresh tattoos clean from harmful bacteria while they regenerate.

  • Rapid Moisture Delivery: Because coconut oil contains medium-chain fatty acids, it sinks into the skin quickly, immediately softening rough or flaky skin tissues.

Read the coconut oil moisturising study

Natural beeswax and honeycomb

CERTIFIED ORGANIC

BEESWAX

The protective barrier and finishing touch. Our certified-organic beeswax transforms the oils into a solid, usable balm. It gives every tin its structure and helps the blend stay where you apply it.

  • Locks in Hydration: Beeswax is a natural humectant that forms a breathable, protective physical barrier over the skin. It prevents "transepidermal water loss" (moisture evaporating from the skin) without clogging your pores.

  • Shields from the Elements: This protective seal acts like an invisible plaster, keeping environmental irritants, dirt, wind, and excess wetness away from compromised skin—making it an excellent barrier cream for baby nappy rash or wind-chapped faces.

Natural structure. A comfortable finish. Beeswax contains wax esters, fatty acids and hydrocarbons that contribute to its water-repelling properties. In our formula, it provides the firmness, smooth application and protective feel that turn infused oils into an everyday essential. Because it contains beeswax, our balm is not vegan.

Explore the review of beeswax in skincare

Ingredient research helps explain our choices; results depend on the finished formula and individual skin. Patch test before first use and stop if irritation occurs.

EXPLORE THE BENEFITS SHOP KAWAKAWA BALM