Real life relief stories

"Her eczema started to clear around the third day"
"My almost 2 year old suffered from eczema last month, covered her legs and arms. The doctors kept prescribing creams but they didn’t work. Made it worse.
I was looking online for a better alternative and came across Frankie Apothecary on Instagram. I read the positive reviews, so I thought I’d give it a try.
Her eczema started to clear away around the third day of using the Oat bath soak, Kawakawa balm & body oil...Thank you for these amazing products! My baby uses it every night before bed and she sleeps so peacefully. Her skin is much more clearer now and she doesn’t have to cover up anymore lol."
- Jen P

"It has really helped with my baby's skin "
"Hi I just wanted to say thanks for the balm! It has really helped with my baby's skin and when she flares up I just put some on the flare ups her skins looks so much better now thanks again." - Emeline H

"It actually works"
"I absolutely love kawakawa balm! My baby developed eczema from 9-10 months and this is all I use on his face. I love that its all natural ingredients, suitable for babies & actually works to clear his eczema on his face.
At worst my baby had an eczema infection on his face where he had scabs from his nose to scalp, scabs behind & inside his ears, was swollen and was very itchy, where he didn't sleep well and neither did us as parents. Kawakawa balm cleared most of the scabs after 1 day of using it & by 2 weeks the scabs, redness and swelling was barely noticeable..." - Jennifer
*Thanks for checking out our real life customer stories! We know that everyone's skin is different and while we can't promise the same results for everyone, we do promise to do our best to support and empower you on your skin journey. Having the right support as you try something new can make all the difference.
Best Seller: Skin Repair Duo
Feel the difference with our two-step Skin Repair Duo—designed for real relief.
Kawakawa Repair: Locks in essential moisture, creating a protective barrier for soft, soothed skin. Soothing Oat Bath Soak: eases irritation and restores moisture—for quiet comfortble skin.



Skin Repair Duo
- Regular price
-
$57.00 NZD - Regular price
-
- Sale price
-
$57.00 NZD



Answers to your questions
What makes Frankie's Kawakawa Repair different from other Kawakawa balms?
Great question! Most balms use a simple combination of wax, oil and essential oils or plant extracts. Kawakawa Repair has three important ingredients that set it apart from other balms - high potency Kawakawa oil, water-attracting ingredients and a research-backed ingredient scientifically proven to reduce extra trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), commons with eczema-prone skin.
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.
Water-attracting 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 specialty ingredient has been proven to reduce water loss at the surface of the skin as effectively as lanolin, second-only to this petrochemical incgredients, yet our is natural.
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.
Can I use your eczema care products if I've used steroid creams?
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.
As a guide: If you have use steroid creams within the last 6-10 months. If so, start gradually e.g. 1x a day for several days.
If all ok, repeat 2x a day for several days.
If all ok, increase to 3x a day.
Can I used your products on my newborn?
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.
Is your Kawakawa Repair and Skin Saviour Bundle safe to use while pregnant?
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.
Can I apply Kawakawa Repair more than 3x a day during a skin flare-up?
Kawakawa Repair Balm is an itensive moisturiser and it can be applied more than 3x a day. For example, for dribble rash, as the area gets wet often, you may need to dab skin dry and apply a think layer of the balm up to 6x a day.
As with anything new, remember to do a 24 hour patch test before using any new product. To do that, apply a little Kawakawa Repair, Body Oil and a little Oat Soak mixed in water if using, to different areas of the body (leave the oat soak mix on the skin for 10min then rinse off). Wait 24 hours to check there is no allergy to any of the ingredients.
Why is a water-free balm better than a cream?
The Eczema Association of New Zealand strongly advises choosing an ointment or balm for dry, itchy skin, as these products lock in moisture far better than creams.
Unlike creams—which can be made up of as much as 70% water and lose their effectiveness as the water quickly evaporates—ointments and balms form a protective barrier that helps seal the skin.
This barrier is crucial for soothing itchiness and supporting long-term skin health by preventing moisture loss and managing eczema symptoms.
What people are saying
It all started with one little girl
When young Eva developed severe eczema to the point she often woke with blood on her sheets from scratching through the night, her mother was desperate to find a solution that worked.
After hundreds of hours of research, her search led led her back to her Māori heritage and the healing power of native New Zealand kawakawa - and Frankie Apothecary's Kawakawa Repair Balm was born.
Incredibly, her daughter's skin was soothed within a week! Kawakawa Repair was shared with the local community and beyond, and today our range is delivered all over the world.
Since those early days, our range has grown, but our mission has stayed the same - to help more and more tamariki, adults and families experience the same relief.