Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about our Full Spectrum Mānuka Extract and how to use it.

PRODUCT & USAGE

How do I use the Full Spectrum Mānuka Extract?

The Pure Mānuka Extract can be added to your existing skincare routine at your preferred dilution — refer to the dilution calculator on the product page. If you prefer a ready-to-use option, the Hyper-Blend is formulated for direct skin application at a concentration we're confident is both highly effective and safe for daily use.

What is the recommended application ritual?

For best results, apply the Hyper-Blend first and allow approximately one hour for absorption, then follow with the Skin Rescue Balm. Use twice daily, morning and evening. Give your skin a minimum of five days of consistent use before assessing results — consistency is key.

What is the difference between the Hyper-Blend, Pure Mānuka Extract, and Skin Rescue Balm?

Pure Mānuka Extract — 100% undiluted extract. For those who want to customise their own concentration or add it to existing products.
Hyper-Blend — Our highest concentration ready-to-apply formula (8% extract). Designed for direct use on skin concerns.
Skin Rescue Balm — A 3% extract balm. Ideal as a protective second step after the Hyper-Blend, or as a standalone option for milder concerns.

Can I use Mānuka Extract on sensitive skin?

Yes. Our extract has been HRIPT tested across 50 subjects with zero reported irritation reactions. It is safe for sensitive skin when used as directed.

Is it safe to use on my face?

Yes. The Hyper-Blend and Skin Rescue Balm are both suitable for facial use. Apply to clean skin and avoid direct contact with eyes. If you're new to the product, we recommend starting on a small area first to see how your skin responds before applying more broadly.

Is it safe for children?

Yes — the same concentrations used by adults are suitable for children. For extra soothing relief, particularly for little ones with irritated or reactive skin, try storing the Skin Rescue Balm in the fridge. The cool temperature adds a gentle cold-pack effect that can help calm flare-ups quickly.

Is it safe for pets?

It is safe for dogs and can support skin and fur health. As with most botanical extracts and essential oils, it is not recommended for cats — cats lack the enzymes required to metabolise certain compounds, which can cause liver toxicity.

Is Waipu Mānuka Extract safe for internal use?

No. Our extract is formulated exclusively for topical (external) skin use. A helpful rule of thumb: extract = outside, honey = inside.

Is it safe to use during pregnancy or breastfeeding?

Mānuka extract is a natural botanical with no synthetic compounds, hormone-disrupting ingredients, or known teratogenic properties. There is no evidence suggesting it poses a risk during pregnancy or breastfeeding when used topically as directed.

That said, formal clinical studies on topical Mānuka extract use during pregnancy have not been conducted — as is the case for the vast majority of skincare ingredients. If you have any concerns or a high-risk pregnancy, we recommend checking with your midwife or healthcare provider as a precaution.

What is the shelf life and how should I store it?

From first opening, shelf life is two years. Our ongoing batch analyses confirm triketone levels remain stable over this period. You may notice the oil takes on a slightly more orange appearance over time due to minor oxidation — this does not affect potency.

Store in a cool room away from direct sunlight.

THE SCIENCE

What makes your extract different from other Mānuka products?

There are three categories of Mānuka product — and they're meaningfully different:

Mānuka Honey — made from flower nectar. Antibacterial and soothing, but active compound levels are low once diluted into skincare.
Mānuka Essential Oil — steam-distilled from leaves. Contains good triketone levels, but high-heat processing degrades sensitive compounds and produces a sharp, pungent scent that limits its use in premium skincare.
Waipu Full Spectrum Extract — CO₂-extracted via supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) at low temperatures. This preserves a far broader range of active compounds — triketones, antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, and SFE-exclusive compounds like grandiflorone, squalene, and phytol that simply aren't present in steam-distilled oil.

We are the first company in the world to apply this method to Mānuka.

What active compounds make it effective?

Our extract contains triketones at 30–50% concentration — an unprecedented level. It also contains grandiflorone (15–27%), squalene, phytol, beta-caryophyllene, tetratetracontane, and other compounds that work synergistically. These are either absent or present only in trace amounts in standard steam-distilled Mānuka oils.

How does it compare against bacteria?

Our Hyper-Blend is effective against C. acnes (acne bacteria) at concentrations 267–800× above the minimum required to eliminate it. Against S. aureus — which colonises approximately 90% of eczema-affected skin — it operates at 80–267× above the minimum inhibitory concentration.

These are not inhibition results. The extract kills the bacteria outright. For context, a competitor product using a 2% triketone concentration delivers an estimated 1–6.7× above the threshold against S. aureus. Our extract operates at a categorically different level.

Does the extract have a strong scent?

No — and this often surprises people. Because SFE extraction works at low temperatures, the delicate aromatic compounds in the Mānuka leaf are preserved intact. The result is a fresh, green, slightly floral scent that closely resembles standing near a Mānuka bush — nothing like the sharp, medicinal smell of standard Mānuka essential oil.

Is your extract tested for purity and potency?

Yes. Every batch is independently tested via GC-MS analysis before bottling, confirming triketone levels and compound profile. Safety data sheets and batch documentation are available on request.

RESULTS & EXPECTATIONS

How quickly can I expect to see results?

Results vary by skin concern and the concentration used. Based on what customers have reported: acne improvements in 3–5 days, dandruff clearing in around 4 days, eczema becoming more manageable within a week. Some conditions — particularly chronic or complex ones — take longer.

Consistency over a minimum of five days, twice daily, gives you the most reliable baseline.

Are there any known side effects?

A small number of customers experience a temporary increase in symptoms within the first 2–3 days of use, typically when applying once daily. In most cases, increasing to two to three applications per day resolves this quickly. If you have concerns, reduce concentration or frequency and build up gradually.

Unlike steroid creams, Mānuka extract does not create a dependency or withdrawal effect — you can increase, decrease, or stop use without rebound.

What about Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW)?

Some customers managing TSW have incorporated our extract into their routine and reported it supportive during the recovery process. We don't make medical claims about TSW, but we take it seriously. If you're navigating TSW, feel free to reach out directly — we're happy to talk through your situation.

Does it work for psoriasis?

Results for psoriasis are more variable than for conditions like acne or eczema. Psoriasis has a more complex immune-mediated mechanism, and we'd rather be upfront about that than overpromise. Some customers report improvement; others see modest change. We're happy to discuss your specific situation before you purchase.

PRODUCTS & BUNDLES

What products do you offer?

Hyper-Blend - 20ml
Skin Rescue Balm 80g
The Soothing Starter: 5ml Hyper-Blend + 30g Balm
The Complete Restoration: 20ml Hyper-Blend + 80g Balm
Pure Mānuka Extract

The Soothing Starter is the best entry point if you want to try both products together.

Can I buy the 5ml Hyper-Blend or 30g Balm individually?

These sizes are exclusive to The Soothing Starter — and for good reason. The pack is designed as a complete two-step starter system: the Hyper-Blend delivers the active concentrate, and the Skin Rescue Balm locks in the work. Used together, they give your skin the best possible foundation to start seeing results. It's the entry point we recommend for anyone new to Waipu Extracts.

What dilution should I use with the Pure Mānuka Extract?

This depends on your skin concern and sensitivity. Use the dilution calculator on the product page as your starting guide.

SUSTAINABILITY & SOURCING

Is your Mānuka sustainably sourced?

Yes. All Mānuka used in our extract is grown on our own plantation in Waipu, New Zealand — we planted it ourselves. At harvest, only the top 10–15% of each plant is removed, leaving the bush 80% intact. This regenerative approach allows faster recovery between harvests and ensures enough flowers remain for bees to continue pollinating. The process is carbon-neutral.

SHIPPING & ORDERS

What are your New Zealand shipping costs and delivery times?

Shipping is free on all New Zealand orders. Order before 12:00 PM NZST for same-day processing.

Check estimated delivery times below:

Auckland - Overnight
North Island- 1–2 days
North Island Rural - 2–3 days
South Island - 1–2 days
South Island Rural - 2–4 days

Occasional delays can occur during public holidays or due to courier disruptions. We appreciate your patience.

Do you ship to Australia?

Yes! We now ship to Australia.

NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania - Free
All other states & territories - $10 flat rate

For any questions about your Australian order, contact us at hello@waipuextracts.co.nz.

What is your returns policy?

We offer a 30-day money-back guarantee on all bundle purchases (The Soothing Starter and The Complete Restoration). If you've used the system consistently and aren't satisfied, contact us at hello@waipuextracts.co.nzwithin 30 days and we'll make it right — no hoops.

The guarantee applies to bundles because they're built around the complete two-step ritual. That's the experience we stand behind.