The Traditional New Zealand Plant Taking Over Natural Skincare
If you’ve spent any time exploring natural skincare in New Zealand, chances are you’ve heard of Kawakawa.
Known for its distinctive heart-shaped leaves and deep roots in traditional Māori healing practices, kawakawa has become one of the most loved ingredients in natural skincare across Aotearoa.
But what actually is kawakawa — and why is everyone putting it in balms, soaps, oils, and skincare?
What Is Kawakawa?
Kawakawa is a native New Zealand plant found throughout forests and coastal areas around Aotearoa.
Its botanical name is Piper excelsum, and it belongs to the pepper family. The plant is easily recognised by its glossy green heart-shaped leaves, often marked with small holes from native insects.
For generations, kawakawa has been valued in traditional Māori practices and used in a variety of ways for both wellness and skin support.
Today, kawakawa is commonly infused into oils and used in:
- balms
- soaps
- salves
- body care
- skincare
- hair care
- teas
- natural wellness products
Why Is Kawakawa So Popular in Skincare?
Kawakawa is loved for its naturally soothing and calming properties, making it especially popular in low-tox and sensitive skincare formulations.
Many people use kawakawa skincare for:
- dry skin
- irritated skin
- sensitive skin
- eczema-prone skin
- psoriasis-prone skin
- cracked skin
- everyday skin barrier support
Because of its gentle nature, kawakawa is often included in minimalist skincare products designed to nourish rather than overwhelm the skin.
How Kawakawa Is Used in Skincare
Kawakawa itself is not usually added directly into products raw.
Instead, the leaves are commonly infused into carrier oils over time. This allows the beneficial plant compounds to slowly extract into the oil before being used in skincare formulations.
Common oils used for infusion include:
- grapeseed oil
- olive oil
- sweet almond oil
- jojoba oil
At Tiny Leaf NZ, we use kawakawa-infused oils in our handcrafted skincare products to create simple, nourishing formulations inspired by nature and traditional botanicals.
What Does Kawakawa Feel Like on the Skin?
Kawakawa skincare is often described as:
- calming
- nourishing
- gentle
- grounding
- protective
- soothing
Many people prefer kawakawa-based products because they feel supportive without being overly harsh or heavily fragranced.
This makes kawakawa especially popular in low-tox skincare routines focused on barrier support and simplicity.
Kawakawa in Low-Tox Living
As more people move toward low-tox living, kawakawa has naturally become a staple ingredient in New Zealand-made skincare.
People are increasingly looking for:
- simpler ingredient lists
- natural skincare
- handmade products
- fragrance-conscious products
- botanical ingredients
- traditional plant-based skincare
Kawakawa fits perfectly into this shift toward mindful, intentional skincare.
What Products Can Kawakawa Be Found In?
Kawakawa is commonly used in:
- balms
- soaps
- lip balms
- body butters
- salves
- shampoos
- conditioners
- sugar scrubs
- oils
- facial skincare
It pairs beautifully with other nourishing ingredients like:
- tallow
- beeswax
- calendula
- grapeseed oil
- shea butter
- zinc
- essential oils
Why We Love Kawakawa at Tiny Leaf NZ
At Tiny Leaf NZ, kawakawa is one of our favourite ingredients to work with.
We love the connection it brings to:
- traditional New Zealand botanicals
- simple skincare
- low-tox living
- mindful self-care
- handcrafted products
Our kawakawa-infused products are designed to feel nourishing, grounding, and gentle enough for everyday family use.
Final Thoughts
Kawakawa is more than just a trending skincare ingredient.
It’s a deeply rooted New Zealand botanical that has been appreciated for generations and continues to be loved for its gentle, skin-supportive qualities today.
Whether you’re building a low-tox skincare routine, simplifying your ingredients, or looking for products inspired by nature, kawakawa is one of the most beautiful native plants to explore.
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