As the world’s largest manufacturer and exporter of Manuka honey, we take our honey seriously.

Even though honey has been used for centuries for beauty, not all honeys are created equally. Breakthrough research, conducted by Comvita’s^® team of scientists, from the Institute for Innovation in Biotechnology (IIB) at the University of Auckland, has revealed that a special blend of Manuka honey contains active compounds that help slow the signs of aging.

We have trademarked this special blend of Manuka honey, as HUNI^®XA^™. It is the key ingredient in our natural Manuka Honey skin care products.

Evidence* supports that it works by inhibiting the activity of a group of enzymes called MMP’s which together, are capable of degrading collagen in the skin.

The phenolic structure and exact geographical source of HUNI^®XA^™ Manuka honey, as well as the blending process we use to create our high performance skincare formulations, are proprietary to Comvita^®.

The science tells us why
We know that skin aging is caused by both chronological ageing (unpreventable) and photo aging (sun induced ageing). The primary environmental factor that causes photo aging is UV irradiation from the sun.

Upon exposure to sunlight, the activity of a group of enzymes called matrix metalloproteinases (MMP’s) is up-regulated. This leads to the degradation of collagen in the skin.

Collagen is a critical provider of strength and resilience to the skin, so when it breaks down, skin loses its firmness and wrinkles are formed.

Ongoing research indicates that plant derived phenolic compounds, such as those found in enriched levels in Manuka honey (Stephens et al, 2009)**, have been shown to inhibit MMP’s activity. In other words, they slow the signs of aging.

HUNI^®XA^™ and UMF^® - what’s the difference?
Comvita^® is renowned for our Unique Manuka Factor^® (UMF) Manuka honey. UMF^® is a scientific measure of the special anti-bacterial properties found only in active Manuka honey.  While HUNI^®XA^™ does have a UMF^® rating, we do not measure it. This is because the anti-aging benefits of HUNI^®XA^™ Manuka honey come not from its UMF^® content but from its ability to inhibit MMP activity.

* Laboratory testing.
**Stephens, J. M., Schlothauer, R. C., Morris, B, D., Yang, D., Fearnley, L., Greenwood, D. R., & Loomes, K. M.; 2009; Phenolic compounds and methylglyoxal in some New Zealand manuka and kanuka honeys.  Food Chemistry, doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2009.09.074.

Comvita's^® new skincare range - the science behind Huni^®XA™:


Comvita's® Huni®XA™ Skincare Launch - Australia: