Cutting Edge Technology Combined with Traditional Māori Medicine in New Zealand Facial Mask

Tāmaki Makaurau – An Auckland skincare company has created a world-first anti-wrinkle facial mask product with collagen extracted from New Zealand Hoki fish skins and infused with native kawakawa.

Honest Skincare is launched their Restore+ Collagen and Kawakawa Melting Mask, powered by the high tech Kiwi-developed DermaLayr technology, for Kiwi consumers on Thursday.

Already a success abroad, DermaLayr products are available in Korea, China, and Japan, where they have quickly become best-sellers. The new kawakawa formulation is a world first and exclusive to Honest Skincare, chief executive Janna Jansen says.

“This technology is created by New Zealanders, and being able to have a product incorporating New Zealand, sustainable natural ingredients is incredibly exciting for us as a company.

“Our Collagen Restore+ Melting Mask delivers collagen and Kawakawa to the deepest layer of the skin, reaching layers previously only achievable with invasive needle therapy.

“DermaLayr has commissioned independent clinical trials from South Korean dermatological institutes, which have some of the most advanced skincare technologies in the world. Trials show an 11.6% reduction in wrinkle depth after a single application of the Collagen Mask. The addition of kawakawa bioactive provides anti-inflammatory and healing benefits. When tested in comparison with serums, the collagen masks show a 10x deeper delivery of bioactives”

Derived from New Zealand Hoki, the collagen used in DermaLayr technology is rich in Type I collagen, which makes up around 80% of human skin collagen. The DermaLayr technology enables collagen to be extracted and preserved in its most natural form. A New Zealand developed patented electrospinning process forms collagen fibres on a backing material, that are 500 times finer than a human hair and 40 times smaller than a skin pore. When applied, the mask’s fine collagen fibres are absorbed and settle deep within the skin layers. 

“The skins are sourced from a New Zealand fishery company, where they were previously considered waste and discarded after the fish were filleted. To have found such good use for them in our products delights us.”

“We source our kawakawa solution for the collagen mask from Organic Bioactives in New Zealand. This extract is made from sustainably sourced premium kawakawa leaves, harvested in Kawhia, Waikato.”

Jansen says Honest Skincare uses kawakawa in many of its other products. Kawakawa is rich in anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and analgesic properties. This has made it an increasingly popular ingredient for irritated skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, as well as healing and calming dermatitis, acne and redness in skin.

"Our team are really proud of this collaboration with Dermalayr. We've been working on this together for over two years, and to finally be bringing it to fruition gives us a real sense of achievement and satisfaction.

The Restore+ Collagen and Kawakawa Melting Mask set will be available online at www.honestskincare.co.nz or in their store.

For further information contact Janna Jansen on 027 385 2555