Research and Development of our
New Manuka Oil Cream
Dry, red and irritated skin conditions are troublesome
and can significantly impact someone's quality of life.
I’m Megan, a registered Naturopath and Medical Herbalist, and have been working with the Health House Sales Team for over one year now.
Mike offered me the opportunity to develop a formula for our new Manuka Oil Cream and conduct some tests. Being able to provide an option for those who suffer from irritated skin conditions is incredibly fulfilling.
Careful selection of ingredients was crucial, to ensure suitable use on dry reddened, sensitive and irritated skin. All ingredients used were sourced from reputable New Zealand suppliers.
The first ingredient chosen was calendula (Calendula officinalis) infused olive oil, which is known for soothing and its remarkable skin-healing properties. A systematic review (strongest in the hierarchy of evidence) published in the International Journal of Advanced Engineering Research and Science, 2020, noted that 42% of calendula’s pharmacological activity is attributed to healing, through supporting skin cell regeneration.
Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) glycetract was selected as it contains no alcohol, unlike standard chamomile liquid extracts, as the alcohol can irritate broken skin. Chamomile is excellent for calming the skin, being beneficial during itchy skin flares. A comprehensive study in 2022 published in the Pharmaceuticals Journal on chamomile discussed the support for normal histamine levels, as a result supporting itchy skin.
Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) essential oil was the third ingredient added which helps reduce redness and protect against further skin complications that can arise with common skin conditions. Studies show manuka essential oil exhibits strong antibacterial activity against specific strains of bacteria, which are commonly associated with complications of common skin irritations.
These herbs were mixed with a specially selected base cream that contains key skin-loving ingredients. Almond oil, shea butter, jojoba oil and cocoa butter are found in the base cream, all rich in vitamin E helping heal, nourish and support the skin barrier function.
The necessary ingredients were ordered and arrived on-site, ready for use once they were assessed by our Quality Assessment Team. Our ZHM manufacturing facility follows strict Cosmetic GMP (good manufacturing practice) processes, which required a lot of policy and procedure training before entering the production rooms to start the test run. Initially, we had concerns that the manuka essential oil would be too overpowering, but the blend turned out to have a mild herbal scent that dissipates quickly once applied to the skin. We were also worried about the consistency of the mixture with the added herbal extracts, as well as whether the chamomile glycerate would blend well with the other ingredients. However, against all odds, our first test was successful and all the ingredients blended perfectly.
Samples of the Manuka Oil Cream were distributed to those with skin irritations to try. Those who were fortunate enough to receive a bottle before they ran out were delighted with the results. Many of them reported that their skin felt softer and the cream had a soothing effect, in addition to supporting a significant amount of healing. Participants are eagerly anticipating the next production run of the Manuka Oil Cream to obtain more of this fantastic product.