Mānuka and Kānuka are often mistaken for one another — both are white-flowering natives that perfume the air each summer, both are treasured in rongoā Māori (traditional medicine) as powerful rākau rongoā — healing trees. Yet beneath the surface, these close cousins carry distinct personalities, chemistries, and gifts for the skin.

Milia are benign but persistent - and I get them too, thanks to a mix of skin allergies, sensitivities, eczema, and past steroid use. They irritate me constantly, but they’re not a flaw, just a signal that our skin’s natural shedding cycle needs a little guidance. These experiences have shaped the way I formulate every product at Wild Alchemy Botanicals with sensitivity, barrier health, and real skin challenges in mind. Treat them patiently, protect your barrier, and seek pr