Kawakawa & Mānuka: Nature’s Powerhouses for Healthy Skin and Beard Care
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Aotearoa’s Botanical Legacy, Bottled
When we started Rooted, we wanted to do more than just make beard products—we wanted to honour the land we come from. That meant going straight to the source: New Zealand’s native botanicals. Two standouts lead the way in our lineup: kawakawa and mānuka. Both are time-tested, science-backed, and central to the performance of our two signature scent blends.
We don’t mix our botanicals. Instead, each scent is built around a single hero ingredient to let it shine.
Peppered Shore – The Kawakawa Blend
Clean, green, and a little wild. This blend centres on kawakawa, often called the "pharmacy of the forest." Used by Māori for generations, kawakawa supports skin recovery and calm with its naturally occurring bioactive compounds. Used by Māori for generations, kawakawa supports skin recovery... find out exactly why kawakawa is a game-changer in our detailed guide.
Why kawakawa?
- Helps soothe inflammation and irritation
- Naturally antimicrobial - great for under-beard breakouts or beardruff
- Offers a fresh, herbal scent with earthy depth
Paired with our nut-free base of kiwi seed, hemp seed, and olive squalane oils, this formula is ideal for sensitive skin or reactive complexions.
Manuka Smoke – Mānuka Blend
Rugged and grounding. This one leans into the power of mānuka oil, famous for its healing properties. It’s potent, protective, and perfect for maintaining clear skin beneath your beard.
Why mānuka?
- Fights bacteria and fungus naturally
- Promotes clean, balanced skin
- Deep, earthy scent with warm smoke and subtle spice
Mānuka doesn’t just smell strong - it performs strong. A good fit for anyone managing irritation, acne-prone skin, or frequent shaving bumps.
Why Use Native Botanicals?
Your beard health starts at the skin. Kawakawa and mānuka both:
- Support skin resilience
- Calm itch, flakes, and irritation
- Help condition and soften coarse beard hair
- Smell like the New Zealand bush after rain
And unlike synthetic ingredients or heavy nut oils, our blends are built light and clean - absorbing quickly without residue.
Choose Your Format
Each scent is available in different formats to suit your grooming routine. The natural scent of our unrefined beeswax clashes with the fresh notes of Kawakawa, so our balm is exclusively available in the Manuka Smoke blend.
Beard Oil – Lightweight daily moisture. Available in Manuka Smoke & Peppered Shore.
Beard Balm – Medium hold for shape and protection. Currently available in Manuka Smoke.
Beard Butter – Rich hydration and overnight conditioning. Available in Manuka Smoke & Peppered Shore.
Rooted in Nature. Built to Perform.
We don’t use kawakawa or mānuka because they sound good. We use them because they work. Rooted products are made in New Zealand, nut-free, cruelty-free, and designed for sensitive skin.
For a complete overview of total beard health, visit The Ultimate Guide to Achieving a Soft, Healthy, and Itch-Free Beard.