FAQ
The AYA philosophy
Who makes AYA?
My team and I do. I’m Keren, and together we make our balms, creams, oils and serums by hand in our AYA room in the Western Cape. Our soaps are handmade for us by a small South African soapmaker.
What makes AYA different?
Short ingredient lists you can actually read, and our AYA Fermented Complex (raw papaya we ferment and stabilise ourselves) in every product we make ourselves. AYA Balm is built on it. No fillers, no petroleum, no mineral oil, no synthetic fragrance.
What doesn't AYA claim?
No "clinically proven" or "100% natural" badges we haven't earned. Just the full ingredient list on every product, and a straight answer if you ask me anything.
Why should I trust a small brand?
Because you can check everything. Read the tin. Email me. Ask what's in it and why.
Ingredients
What is raw fermented papaya?
Sun-ripened papaya that we ferment and stabilise in-house. Papaya naturally contains papain, a protein-dissolving enzyme, and fermentation creates additional organic acids and compounds. Together, they gently help lift dry, flaky skin without harsh acids.
Why "raw"?
We use cold processing to ferment our papaya to allow it to fully mature.
Are AYA products 100% natural?
Every AYA Balm ingredient comes from a plant or a hive. Where a product needs something processed, such as a preservative in a water-based product, we name it and tell you why it's there.
Do your products contain preservatives?
Oil- and wax-based products like AYA Balm contain no water, so they don't need a preservative. Water-based products use preservatives because water-based products without one can grow bacteria and mould.
Do you use synthetic fragrance?
No. Any scent comes from essential oils, and we list them on the label.
Why are there allergen names like linalool or limonene on some labels?
They occur naturally in essential oils. South African and EU labelling rules require them to be listed separately above certain levels. They aren't added chemicals.
Safety and suitability
Which skin types can use AYA?
AYA Balm and the oils suit most skin types, especially dry, rough or weathered skin. If your skin is very oily or acne-prone, start with a small amount on one area and see how it responds.
I have sensitive skin. Should I patch test?
Yes. Apply a little to your inner arm and wait 24 to 48 hours. Natural doesn't mean nobody reacts: beeswax, nut oils, cinnamon and essential oils can all cause reactions in some people.
Do any products contain nut oils?
Yes. AYA Balm contains sweet almond oil. AYA Cream and AYA Nourishing Oil contain macadamia and apricot kernel oil, AYA SOS Serum contains mongongo (manketti) nut oil, and the Forest and Floral soaps contain macadamia oil. If you have a nut allergy, check the label first or email me.
Can I use AYA during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
AYA Balm contains lavender, eucalyptus and tea tree essential oils at under 0.25% in total, well within the widely used 1% safety guideline for pregnancy and breastfeeding. It also contains our cinnamon-papaya ferment, so patch test first. While breastfeeding, please keep it off the nipple and breast area, and anywhere your baby's face will touch. If you have any concerns, check with your doctor or midwife.
Is AYA suitable for babies and young children?
AYA Balm's essential oils are under 0.25% in total, a very low level. For babies over 3 months and young children, it can be used on small areas of dry skin. Keep it away from the face, nose and hands, since little ones put their hands in their mouths. For babies under 3 months, or if you have any concerns, check with your clinic sister or doctor first.
Can I use AYA Balm on eczema, psoriasis or broken skin?
AYA Balm was made for skin that's struggling. The beeswax forms a breathable protective layer, the oils soften and nourish, and the papaya's natural enzymes gently lift dry, flaky skin, supporting your skin's own repair process. Many of our customers use it on eczema-prone patches, cracked skin, scrapes and bites, and keep coming back to it.
AYA Balm
What's in AYA Balm?
Raw beeswax from a local beekeeper, olive oil, sweet almond oil, and our signature AYA Fermented Complex: sun-ripened papaya from our own in-house ferment. It's finished with lavender, eucalyptus and tea tree essential oils. The full ingredient list is on the tin and the product page.
What is the AYA Fermented Complex?
It's the heart of AYA. Papaya naturally contains papain, an enzyme that gently helps lift dry, flaky skin. The exact process is our own, and it's what makes AYA Balm different from any other papaya balm.
What do people use it for?
Dry patches, cracked heels, rough hands and elbows, chafing, wetsuit rub, dry lips, cuticles, and soothing the itch of bites. One 15g tin goes in a handbag, a gym bag or a surf bag.
How do I use it?
Warm a tiny amount, about the size of a rice grain, between your fingertips and press it into the skin.
How long does a tin last?
Longer than you'd think. Remember, less is always more. Unopened or opened, it keeps for 2 years. Store it somewhere cool and out of direct sun, especially in a hot car or a beach bag, as the beeswax will soften.
Sustainability and sourcing
Are AYA products tested on animals?
No. I don't test on animals or ask anyone to on my behalf. Testing happens on willing humans: me, my family and customers who choose to try new products.
Where do your ingredients come from?
The beeswax comes directly from a local beekeeper. The papaya is from the North West. The African oils in PS Serum (Kalahari melon, marula) are all locally sourced. I'm happy to tell you where any ingredient comes from. Just ask.
Is AYA zero waste?
"Zero waste" is a fallacy. Anything that's made, packed and couriered leaves a footprint, and we won't pretend ours doesn't. What we can do is keep it small and honest: we make in small batches so little goes to waste, buy our beeswax from a local beekeeper, and pack AYA Balm in aluminium tins you can recycle or reuse.
Is the packaging recyclable?
The AYA Balm tin is aluminium, which recycles easily, or you can wash it out and reuse it. Wherever we can, our packaging is reusable.
Are your products certified organic?
No. Certification costs more than a small brand can carry right now. If an individual ingredient is certified organic, the label says so.
Where are AYA products made?
Our balms, creams, oils and serums are made by hand in our AYA room in the Western Cape. Our soaps are handmade in small batches by a South African soapmaker.