Viral NZ Manuka Cleansing Balm that sold out overseas finally hits Kiwi shelves

An Auckland-based skincare brand that found sell-out success in South Korea with one of its products has brought it back to New Zealand.

Lemon & Beaker collaborated with a South Korean lab last year to develop their Manuka Cleansing Balm, which generated nearly $2 million in sales within hours of hitting shopping channels there. It went on to make $3.7 million in sales in its first year, which begs the question: What gives? Why not here?

Co-founder Vicky Cullinane explains that launching in Korea, "one of the most advanced and discerning skincare markets in the world", was a "defining moment" for the brand. 

"Consumers [there] really understand skincare, so if you bring a product with genuinely innovative ingredients, thoughtful formulation, and real results, the market will absolutely respond.”

The balm is designed to do more than just remove your make-up - although it does a great job of that, I've tried it! - it's also a treatment step, using bioactives from Aotearoa and skincare tech from Korea.

It's packed with B vitamins, as well as C, A and a bunch more, and it harnesses Manuka extract for antibacterial and antioxidant properties.

Skincare devotees will already be aware of the importance of a double cleanse - first with an oil-based cleanser, and then with a water-based one - to properly get rid of make-up and dirt from the day. But this product goes a step further, starting as a creamy balm, moving to an oil and finishing as a milky emulsion.

As someone who loves make-up and is partial to a waterproof mascara moment, I found the balm super effective but also really nourishing and hydrating - it didn't feel like it stripped my skin at all. 

A 50ml pot will only cost you $30, and a little goes a long way. 

Co-founder Hannah Williamson says cleansing is an overlooked step in skincare, but it's the one that sets your skin up for everything that follows. 

"I wanted the Cleansing Balm to function as a true skin-conditioning step, with the same level of formulation depth as the rest of your routine." 

We'll just have to wait and see if it goes down as well here as it did in South Korea!