How did Comvita come to develop a cosmetic skincare range?

As Manuka honey has such exceptional skin care effects, they listened to their customers and created a natural cosmetic skincare range utilizing Manuka honey as the hero ingredient.


What are the special skin care characteristics of Manuka honey?

Manuka honey is a natural skin moisturizer, naturally drawing water molecules into the skin. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and is anti-bacterial. It may also have UV absorption properties.


Many other honey containing cosmetics are sticky on the skin. How did omvita Huni incorporate Manuka honey into products which rub in so beautifully?

Honey is a naturally sticky substance and can be hard to work with. Their new formulations cleverly combine ingredients which allow them to include maximal Manuka honey, whilst retaining creams with a smooth texture that absorb easily into the skin, without leaving a sticky residue.


Why was UMF 20+ Manuka honey chosen for the range?

The highest UMF Manuka honey commercially available in the quantities required was chosen. The honey chosen not only has a high UMF, it is also of Comvita's purest (medical grade) quality.


How were the other ingredients for the Huni range chosen?

All ingredients had to be extracted from nature wherever possible. From sustainable sources, they also needed to be free from ‘incidental’ ingredients, parabens, SLS, synthetic colours or fragrances, mineral oils and GE modified plant materials. It was also important that none of the ingredients chosen were knowingly mutagenic, carcinogenic, toxic or sensitizing. Every ingredient is microbiologically safe and they have a specific reason for being present.


How did the name, Huni, come about?

As every product includes Comvita's world famous Manuka honey, they felt the name needed to reflect that, whilst evoking something that was sexy and fun with style and beauty, and a natural feel.


Do all the ingredients come from New Zealand?

As a small country New Zealand has limited research and production facilities, so while New Zealand products have been chosen wherever possible, some of the ingredients have had to be sourced from overseas.
Comvita Huni have chosen to work with a French company called Soliance for many of the ingredients. Soliance focuses on the development of innervating and tailor-made solutions for skin care, based on a diversified range of natural substances. They have high ethical and sustainability standards that fit with those of Comvita.


Do the products contain a 100% natural preservative?

After much research a preservative system was chosen which contains gluconolactone (a substance extracted from corn) and sodium benzoate (a synthetic chemical). While Huni's preservative system is not 100% natural, it was chosen because of its GRAS (generally regarded as safe) status, long history of use, broad compatibility with cosmetic ingredients and global acceptance. Comvita felt it vitally important that their Huni products remained ‘safe’, and, while natural preservatives do exist, none guarantee product protection.


Do any of these products contain lanolin?

No, the whole range is lanolin-free. As a number of people have been found to be sensitive to lanolin Comvita chose not to include it in the ingredients. While the keratin in some of the products does come from wool, it is entirely different to lanolin. Lanolin is ‘wool grease’, produced by the sebaceous glands of the sheep providing it with some waterproofing. Keratin is a protein found in wool giving it its strength.


Is the huni range organic?

While a few of the ingredients in the products are certified organic (palm oil, Zizyphus joazeiro extract and myrrh resin extract), Comvita did not feel they could make a certified organic range that also fulfilled their requirement for product efficacy. It was important that the ingredients in the products were supported by science and that their ongoing supply was guaranteed. Comvita could not find sufficient organic ingredients to meet these criteria.
Comvita's hero ingredient, UMF 20+ Manuka honey, is not commercially available as an organic product in the quantities required for the product lines.
The Comvita brand philosophy has always been one of premium quality and efficacy. Worldwide, marketing claims regarding ‘organic’ can mean very different things, with very little regulation in some countries. It was important that the products truly reflected Comvita's philosophy of ‘natural performance’ without compromise.


Are the Huni products for all skin types?

This range has been developed primarily for women over 25, whose skin is susceptible to the ravages of the sun, pollution and stress. Its ingredients combine to provide the skin with moisturization, whilst its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties help to slow the signs of aging and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Younger skin tends to be oilier and may not absorb the ingredients so well.


Do any of these products contain an SPF (sun protection factor)?

The initial launch range does not include any products containing SPF. In order for skincare products to have an UV absorption (sun protection) effect they usually require the addition of many chemical compounds. Comvita are aware that honey might have some natural UV absorption properties, however more work is required before they could make any claims regarding this. They are currently working with some other natural ingredients with a view to adding a ‘natural’ Every Day Moisturiser with SPF to the range 2008/2009. In the meantime you can still experience the remarkable effects of the Huni range by applying the products under your chosen SPF. Remember to also wear a hat and sunglasses.


When I apply the cream to my face I get an unusual drawing sensation on my skin. Is this supposed to happen?

Being unique products, the Huni range also create unique sensations when applied. There may be a tightening, tingling, cooling and freshening sensation on application that indicates that the natural, skin-beautifying ingredients are being absorbed. This sensation should not be mistaken for ‘drying’.


What is the fragrance in the products?

All of the liquid products, except the toner (which is fragrance free), contain a proprietory fragrance created especially for Comvita by a French perfumer called ‘Honey and Leaves’. Naturally sourced ingredients combine to create this sophisticated and distinctive fragrance adding elegance to the Huni range.
The Manuka honey and Kowhai soap contains a subtly different fragrance their perfumer created called ‘Honey Fruit and Seeds’. The other two soaps are fragranced with essential oils.


How should I use the Night and Day Serum?

The Night and Day Serum has been especially formulated to provide intensive moisturisation and anti-ageing benefits to the sensitive, wrinkle-prone skin around the eyes, brows and lips. We suggest using it in conjunction with your favourite Moisturiser. It can also be applied all over the face.


Will the whitening cream make my face go all white?

No. The whitening cream produces subtle changes to the pigmentation within the skin, resulting in an evening out of the skin tone. Changes are not likely to be evident until the cream has been used regularly for a period of about 4 weeks.


How often should the whitening cream be applied?

Comvita Huni recommend that it be applied twice daily to specific dark spots. Daily application is suitable for general prevention of skin tone unevenness.


Do we think that someone with a nut allergy would be able to use these products?

The increasing prevalence of food allergies (especially allergy to peanuts) has led to a discussion of how safe topical preparations containing nut oil are with respect to allergy. So far, no reliable data is available regarding doses required to induce sensitization against nut proteins through contact with the skin via skin care products. It would seem sensible to suggest that someone with a severe nut allergy should avoid nut oil containing products.


If someone is allergic to wheat would they be able to use the products?

As wheat allergy is usually due to the gluten protein part of the wheat, then a wheat allergic person will have no problems with the products. The wheat present has been altered to make the wheat derived ingredients and it is a wheat carbohydrate that is being utilised, not the protein.


Sometimes I need to tap my moisturiser bottle onto a hard surface in order for the pump to work efficiently. Why is this so?

The pump application mechanism was specifically chosen to ensure that the product was not exposed to contamination from repeated finger ‘dips’. Being natural products these moisturisers may thicken slightly over time. As the product is used, you may find that you need to tap the bottle on a hard surface to allow the product to level out, ensuring that the bottom of the pump mechanism remains in contact with the cream and continues to work effectively.


How are the soaps created?

Traditional soap making methods dating back to the 7th century are used to create these natural soaps. Having been hand stirred the soaps are poured into moulds. Once set they are cut to shape and left on wooden drying racks for a few weeks to cure, before being ready to package.


Do I need to use any other products alongside the Huni range?

The Huni range includes a Day Moisturiser, a Night Moisturiser, a Night and Day Serum, a Body Lotion, a Whitening Cream, a Cleanser, a Toning Mist and three Natural Soaps. This range offers the full spectrum of moisturising creams, cleanses and toners that you might want to use on your face and body.


If I am allergic to bee stings can I still use the Huni products?

Yes. There is no link between allergy to bee stings and the topical application of honey to the skin.


Do you have any products for men?

The Comvita Men’s Skincare range is currently being developed and should be available late 2009. In the meantime men might enjoy using many of the products in the current Huni range.

Click Here to Buy Huni Products...