Kawakawa Repair Balm - Winner, Best SOS/Healing Balm 2024

Great question! Most balms use a simple combination of wax, oil and essential oils or plant extracts. Kawakawa Repair has all of these, plus three important ingredients that set it apart from the rest - high potency Kawakawa oil, humectants (more on that in a minute) and a research-backed blend of waxes scientifically proven to reduce trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) which is a feature of eczema-prone skin; basically it loses moisture faster.

Our Kawakawa is harvested on high energy times of the Maramataka, carefully prepared with a unique process to retain all the goodness of the leaf and tended by our whānau as it infuses over many weeks.

Humectants are water-attracting molecules. In Kawakawa Repair, these ingredients work to draw moisture to the outer layer of the skin, giving problem skin much-needed moisture, helping to reduce the itch.

Our research-backed special ingredient, a combination of waxes has been proven to reduce water loss at the surface of the skin as effectively as lanolin, long touted as one of the most powerful emollients (ingredients that prevent moisture loss).

Together, these ingredients support skin healing, moisture retention and itch reduction. While other balms may include kawakawa, no other provides the effective blend of ingredients in Frankie Apothecary's Kawakawa Repair.

Kawakawa is one of the most important and widely used plants
in Rongoā Māori (traditional Māori herbal medicine) and has been used by Māori for centuries to treat various ailments. Kawakawa was chewed to manage toothache and drunk as a tea for digestive issues and to treat bladder and kidney issues.

Scientists agree - Kawakawa has amazing medicinal properties. Laboratory testing has revealed that Kawakawa contains:

Myristicin, a pain-blocking substance related to the antiseptic eugenol,

Lignins which are useful in cosmetic and topical skin treatments,

Antimicrobial and analgesic properties useful for reducing skin inflammation

Diayangambin which has anti-inflammatory and immuno-suppressant effects, which means it can help with anti-immune disorders like rheumatism and psoriasis,

Antidyspectic actives which can help control dyspepsia and indigestion, and

Antispasmotic properties which can ease cramping and muscle spasms.

This group of active ingredients assists with reducing the inflammation and irritation associated with dry/itchy skin conditions.

Remember, if you're concerned about your own or your child's skin, we recommend talking to your medical professional.

Kawakawa Repair Balm is a completely natural nourishing moisturiser and many parents have used it with great effect, even after using over the counter creams and topicals.

From what many parents have told us, if steroids have been used, progress may be slower and it's best to start using the Kawakawa Repair Balm gradually.

We've talked to lots of families and here are some of the patterns they've observed when using Kawakawa Repair Balm:

Some have noticed that topical steroids can sometimes leave the skin sensitive until the withdrawal period from the steroids is over. This seems to be different for different people depending on how long the steroid products were used and how severe the condition.

However, generally if steroid products have been used they've told us it took a bit more time to to adjust to the new regime.

We suggest you apply a little of the balm each day and over time gradually increase the amount and time. Remember it is best to always patch test on the skin first and stop in the very unlikely event of a reaction.

Kawakawa Repair balm is safe for use while pregnant and is also safe for use on babies. While Kawakawa products are safe to be used topically by pregnant women, be aware that it is not recommended that pregnant women ingest Kawakawa, for example not to take as a tea.

Kawakawa Repair Balm is suitable for the whole family, including your newborn.

It is a natural product and the beeswax used is cosmetic grade and is sterile.

If you have open areas of skin, it is important to check for signs of infection. If you are at all concerned, we recommend checking with your medical professional.

Classic signs of infection are pus or coloured discharge, heat, redness, strong odour or smell. If there is infection then consult your medical professional.

If the area is fine, dab with a dressing and apply the balm. Use a clean spoon or implement to remove the balm from the jar (preferably not hands) and to apply.

Yes, the Kawakawa Repair Balm is safe for using on eyelids.

We suggest to use just a little so that you don't get any in your eyes, not that it will harm them, but the oil-based balm may not be comfortable in the eyes.

The time to see improvement from using the Kawakawa Repair Balm will vary from person to person. Most people see improvement within a few days, and sometimes the skin starts to calm within minutes of applying.

If steroid based products have been used recently (within the last 6-10 months) it may take longer to see the impact of using the Kawakawa Repair Balm. See the question on using steroid products for further information.

The combination of Kawakawa Balm, Body Oil and Colloidal Oats is a great combination to treat persistent dry/itchy skin issues - check out our Eczema Saviour Bundle for extra value.

To use this combination:

Bathe with the Colloidal Oats – add two tablespoons to a bath, less if bathing babies in a tub, and soak for ten minutes.

Pat dry and apply the Kawakawa Balm within a three minutes to lock in the moisturising properties.

3. Body Oil to add a moisturising layer to the skin - apply Kawakawa Body Oil body oil to add a moisturising layer to the skin.

We pack orders within one business day of receiving them and ship orders from Frankie HQ in Auckland every Monday to Friday.

Delivery estimates for New Zealand are:

Auckland wide is usually next day or 1-2 days from courier collection.

North & South Island - 1-2 days

Australia:

Standard postal service is 5-14 days provided there are no unexpected delays.

FedEx service - usally within 4-5 days.

For the rest of the world delivery can take 2-4 weeks.

We do our best to dispatch orders as quickly as possible however final delivery times may vary due from those above.

Keep in mind that covid 19 has caused severe disruption to courier networks and international postage. If your parcel is delayed please monitor the tracking for updates.

We think the Kawakawa Repair Balm is a great product for treating dry/itchy skin issues, and so do many of our customers.

Many of our customers have given feedback that the balm has helped calm irritated skin and helped them and their children sleep through the night. Often they have tried many other products on the market and did not get the same result as with the Kawakawa Balm.

One situation when progress seems to be slower is if you've had to use steroid cream to manage eczema. Some customers have told us they've noticed steroid cream use seems to make the skin dependent on their use and more sensitive and irritable when new products are introduced, even gentle ones. In this case, we recommend a period of weaning into using the balm. e.g. start with one application a day and gradually increase, monitoring the skin for any reaction before increasing use. If you have concerns about your skin, remember to consult your medical professional.

If you have not used steroid creams in the last 10 months and have applied the balm in the recommended way - 3 times a day at regular intervals for several days to a week - and see no improvement, please return the balm to us for a refund of the balm cost (shipping is excluded) - you can email us at info@frankieapothecary.co.nz to sort this out.

If you change your mind, simply return unopened, unused product for a full refund, excluding shipping cost.