Every great product has a story. But some stories run deeper than others – they're born from necessity, fueled by love, and refined through expertise. The Faith & Sage Kawakawa Balm is one such story. It's the culmination of a mother's determination, a pharmacist's knowledge, and countless sleepless nights spent searching for answers that the skincare industry couldn't provide.
This isn't just another brand origin story. This is the intimate journey of how personal struggle transformed into a beacon of hope for families dealing with eczema and atopic dermatitis.
When Love Meets Desperation: The Catalyst for Change
As a mother of two daughters, I thought I was prepared for the challenges of parenthood. Late-night feedings, tantrums, scraped knees – these seemed manageable. What I wasn't prepared for was watching my children suffer from eczema and the devastating impact of atopic dermatitis on their daily lives.
I remember distinctly the moment everything changed. My youngest daughter, barely two years old, looked at me through tears and said, "Mommy, make it stop hurting." In that instant, I knew that my background in healthcare wasn't just a career – it was going to become my mission.
The Professional Foundation: 18 Years of Expertise
With over 15 years as a licensed pharmacist and 3 years as a certified esthetician, I had always been fascinated by the science of skincare. I understood active ingredients, formulation chemistry, and the complex mechanisms behind skin disorders. But it wasn't until I became a mother dealing with eczema that I truly grasped how my professional knowledge could transform lives.
The Pharmacist's Perspective
My pharmaceutical background gave me unique insights into:
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Ingredient interactions and how different compounds work synergistically
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Bioavailability and how the skin absorbs different molecules
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Safety profiles and potential side effects of various treatments
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Clinical research and evidence-based approaches to skincare
The Esthetician's Touch
My esthetics training added crucial hands-on experience:
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Skin assessment and understanding different skin types and conditions
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Product application techniques for maximum efficacy
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Client consultation skills that helped me understand real-world skincare needs
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Treatment protocols that combine professional and at-home care
The Research Journey: Countless Hours, Countless Discoveries
What followed were months of intensive research that consumed every spare moment. While my daughters slept (when eczema allowed them to), I dove deep into clinical studies, traditional medicine practices, and emerging skincare technologies.
Discovering Kawakawa: The Game-Changing Ingredient
During our family trip to New Zealand, I learnt about Kawakawa. I bought a locally made jar of cream and used it on my daughter. Surprisingly, it worked very well. But that cream itself does not smell the best and kind of sticky. When I came back to the US, I started to dive into studies on this native New Zealand plant used by Māori for centuries to treat skin conditions. Scientific literature was compelling:
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Anti-inflammatory properties: Clinical studies showed kawakawa's ability to reduce skin inflammation
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Antimicrobial effects: Natural compounds that help prevent secondary infections common in eczema
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Gentle efficacy: Powerful healing properties without the harsh side effects of conventional treatments
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Historical safety: Centuries of traditional use with minimal adverse reactions
This made me wonder whether I can combine this ingredient and make something effective but also comfortable and enjoyable to use.
The Formulation Challenge
Creating an effective kawakawa-based balm wasn't as simple as adding the extract to a base cream. Each component needed careful consideration:
Base Selection: We needed a foundation that would:
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Provide deep moisturization for compromised skin barriers
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Remain stable with active botanical ingredients
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Feel comfortable for daily application on sensitive skin
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Be safe for long-term use on children
Concentration Optimization: Finding the right kawakawa concentration involved:
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Reviewing traditional preparation methods
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Analyzing modern extraction techniques
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Balancing potency with gentleness
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Ensuring consistent results across batches
Supporting Ingredients: Every additional ingredient was scrutinized:
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Must complement Kawakawa's anti-inflammatory properties
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Should provide additional skin barrier support
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Must be safe for eczema-prone and sensitive skin
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Should enhance the overall user experience
The Testing Phase: Real Families, Real Results
Before Faith & Sage became a brand, our kawakawa balm formula was tested the most important way possible – on real families dealing with real eczema challenges, starting with my own daughters.
The First Success
After weeks of consistent kawakawa balm application, my daughter's skin was visibly calmer, less inflamed, and finally healing. The relief in her eyes – and mine – was indescribable.
Expanding Our Circle
Word spread naturally among other parents in our community who were dealing with similar struggles. Friends, neighbors, and acquaintances began asking about our "miracle balm." Each success story validated our approach and refined our understanding of how kawakawa worked for different skin types and severity levels.
Clinical Observations
As families shared their experiences, patterns emerged:
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Rapid inflammation reduction within the first few days of use
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Improved sleep quality for children as itching decreased
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Enhanced skin barrier function with consistent use
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Reduced frequency of flare-ups over time
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High tolerability even among children with multiple sensitivities
The Eureka Moment: From Personal Solution to Brand Mission
The transformation from personal remedy to brand mission happened gradually, then suddenly. As more families experienced positive results with our kawakawa balm, I realized this couldn't remain a small-scale, word-of-mouth solution.
Defining Our Purpose
Faith & Sage was born from three core realizations:
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The Gap in the Market: Despite countless eczema products available, families were still struggling to find effective, gentle solutions
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The Power of Education: Parents needed not just products, but understanding of ingredients, application techniques, and holistic skin health
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The Responsibility of Knowledge: My combined expertise in pharmacy and esthetics came with an obligation to share effective solutions
Naming Our Journey
"Faith & Sage" represents the duality of our approach:
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Faith: The trust parents place in products for their children's delicate skin
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Sage: The wisdom that comes from combining traditional knowledge with modern science
Perfecting the Formula: The Science Behind Our Kawakawa Balm
Creating the final Faith & Sage Kawakawa Balm required months of refinement, guided by both scientific principles and real-world feedback.
The Extraction Process
We partnered with suppliers who understood the importance of preserving Kawakawa's active compounds:
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Sustainable sourcing from New Zealand growers who respect traditional harvesting practices
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Optimal extraction methods that maintain the plant's therapeutic properties
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Quality testing to ensure consistent potency across batches
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Ethical partnerships that honor the cultural significance of kawakawa
Formulation Refinements
Based on family feedback and clinical observations, we made crucial adjustments:
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Texture optimization for easy application on irritated skin
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Absorption enhancement to prevent greasy residue while maintaining moisturizing properties
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Stability improvements to ensure long shelf life without synthetic preservatives
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Safety testing to confirm gentleness for the most sensitive skin
The Final Formula
Our completed Kawakawa Balm represents the perfect balance of:
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Therapeutic efficacy from high-quality kawakawa extract
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Moisturizing support from carefully selected natural oils and butters
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Gentle preservation using natural, skin-safe methods
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User-friendly application that works for busy parents and squirmy children
The Manufacturing Journey: Scaling With Integrity
Transitioning from kitchen-counter formulation to professional manufacturing presented new challenges that tested our commitment to quality and safety.
Choosing Manufacturing Partners
We interviewed dozens of potential manufacturers, but most couldn't meet our standards:
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Small batch production to maintain quality control
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Natural ingredient expertise to handle botanical extracts properly
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Safety certifications that exceeded industry standards
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Flexibility to accommodate our specific formulation requirements
Quality Control Implementation
Every batch of Faith & Sage Kawakawa Balm undergoes rigorous testing:
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Raw material verification to ensure ingredient purity
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Microbiological testing to confirm safety
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Stability testing to ensure consistent performance
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Third-party verification for unbiased quality assessment
Packaging Considerations
Even our packaging choices reflect our values:
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Sustainable materials that minimize environmental impact
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Child-safe designs that prevent accidental ingestion while remaining accessible
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Light protection to preserve the potency of natural ingredients
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Clear labeling that helps parents make informed decisions
The Launch: Bringing Hope to More Families
When Faith & Sage officially launched, it represented more than just another skincare brand entering the market. It was the realization of countless parents' hopes for effective, gentle solutions for their children's eczema.
Early Adoption and Feedback
The response from early customers validated everything we had worked toward:
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Families reporting significant improvements in their children's comfort
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Reduced reliance on prescription medications
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Better sleep for entire households
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Increased confidence in managing eczema flare-ups
Building Our Community
What surprised us most was how Faith & Sage became more than a product – it became a community. Parents began sharing their experiences, tips, and support with each other, creating a network of families united by their journey with eczema.
Continuous Improvement
Customer feedback continues to guide our development:
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Product refinements based on real-world usage patterns
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Educational content addressing common questions and concerns
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New product development to address related skincare needs
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Community building to support families throughout their eczema journey
The Science of Kawakawa: Why It Works
Understanding why kawakawa is so effective for eczema helps explain why our balm provides such remarkable results.
Anti-Inflammatory Mechanisms
Kawakawa contains several active compounds that work together to reduce inflammation:
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Myristicin: A natural compound that helps modulate immune responses
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Elemicin: Provides antimicrobial properties that prevent secondary infections
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Kawain-like compounds: Offer soothing effects on irritated skin
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Natural antioxidants: Protect skin from environmental stressors
Skin Barrier Support
Eczema fundamentally involves a compromised skin barrier. Kawakawa helps by:
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Promoting skin cell regeneration to repair damaged areas
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Supporting natural moisturizing factors that keep skin hydrated
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Reducing transepidermal water loss to maintain optimal skin hydration
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Calming overactive immune responses that perpetuate inflammation
Synergistic Effects
When combined with carefully selected supporting ingredients, kawakawa's effects are amplified:
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Enhanced penetration through optimized vehicle selection
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Prolonged activity via sustained-release formulation
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Complementary benefits from other natural healing compounds
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Improved user experience through thoughtful texture and application properties
Our Commitment to Clean Beauty and Transparency
Faith & Sage represents more than effective products – we're committed to raising the standard for clean beauty in the eczema care space.
Clean Formulation Principles
Our approach to clean beauty is guided by science, not trends:
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Evidence-based ingredient selection rather than marketing-driven choices
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Safety-first philosophy with extensive testing and documentation
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Minimal ingredient lists focusing on proven, effective components
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No compromises on either safety or efficacy
Ongoing Education
We believe informed parents make better decisions for their families:
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Educational content about eczema, ingredients, and skincare science
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Application guidance to maximize product effectiveness
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Community support through shared experiences and expert advice
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Transparent communication about both successes and limitations
A Message to Fellow Parents
To every parent reading this who has watched their child struggle with eczema, please know that you're not alone. The journey from diagnosis to effective management can feel overwhelming, but there is hope.
Our Kawakawa Balm represents more than just another skincare product – it's proof that solutions exist, even when they require looking beyond conventional approaches. It's evidence that combining traditional wisdom with modern science can yield remarkable results. Most importantly, it's a testament to the power of a parent's love to drive meaningful change.
Trust Your Instincts
Your knowledge of your child's skin is invaluable. If something isn't working, don't hesitate to explore alternatives. Your child's comfort and well-being are worth the extra effort to find effective solutions.
Embrace Education
Understanding eczema, ingredients, and treatment options empowers you to make informed decisions. Don't be afraid to ask questions, research ingredients, and seek multiple opinions.
Find Your Community
Connect with other parents facing similar challenges. Shared experiences, tips, and emotional support can make the journey much more manageable.
Maintain Hope
Effective management is possible. While every child's eczema is unique, the right combination of products, techniques, and lifestyle adjustments can provide significant relief.
The Faith & Sage Promise
As we continue to grow and evolve, our commitment remains unchanged:
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Quality ingredients sourced ethically and processed carefully
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Scientific integrity in every formulation decision
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Transparent communication about what our products can and cannot do
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Continuous improvement based on customer feedback and new research
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Accessible solutions that work for real families in real situations
The Faith & Sage Kawakawa Balm isn't just our flagship product – it's our promise that effective, gentle, science-based solutions for childhood eczema are possible. It represents countless hours of research, months of testing, and years of dedication to improving the lives of children with sensitive skin.
Every jar represents our commitment to your family's well-being, backed by professional expertise and driven by parental love. This is our story, but it's also part of your story – the story of finding relief, reclaiming comfort, and rediscovering hope.
Because sometimes, the best solutions come from the most personal places. And sometimes, a mother's love really can change everything.