A full-circle moment: Judy with Jean—the friend who gave her that first jar of New Zealand Merino Lanolin Skin Cream in 1988—at Jean’s 95th birthday celebration at the Beverly Hills Hotel Polo Lounge.

Growing up in California, I spent much of my life outdoors—playing tennis, swimming, waterskiing, snow skiing and enjoying the beach. Sunscreen awareness was very different then. Fortunately, my Southern mother often reminded me to wear a hat—and lipstick, of course—but I didn’t always listen.

For years, I struggled with extremely dry, “alligator-like” skin. I tried countless creams and lotions, but the softness never seemed to last.

Then, in 1988, my dear friend Jean gave me a large jar of Merino Lanolin Skin Cream she had discovered in New Zealand.

I liked its light scent and rich feel, so I decided to put it to the test. After bathing and shaving my legs, I applied it generously—even to areas that were normally prone to dryness and irritation. I expected my skin to feel dry again within an hour, as it always had with other products.

An hour passed. Then six hours. My skin still felt soft, smooth and comfortable.

That one jar changed everything.

I wanted to understand why lanolin worked so beautifully for my skin—and why products like this were so difficult to find in the United States.

In 1989, I began introducing New Zealand Merino lanolin products to American customers. What started with personal conversations and samples grew into fairs, health events, conferences, trade shows and retail displays.

We spent many wonderful years at the Minnesota State Fair, where I had the privilege of meeting customers personally, hearing their stories and helping them discover products suited to their skincare needs.

Later, we created our website and brought Merino products to customers across the country through Amazon.

For more than 35 years, the original Merino Lanolin Skin Cream has remained the heart and foundation of my journey.

Judy with a longtime customer during the many wonderful years Merino Skin Care USA appeared at the Minnesota State Fair.

Over the decades, customers began asking for two very specific additions to their lanolin skincare routines.

Some wanted an exceptionally thick, concentrated balm that would stay in place on rough, dry areas needing intensive moisture and protection. Others wanted a gentle, fragrance-free cream for comfortable everyday use.

These requests did not diminish what made the original Merino cream so special. Instead, they showed us how we could build upon that trusted lanolin tradition with complementary products created for different preferences and uses.

Those conversations inspired our American-made Repair and Revive products.

Crack Blaster Repair Lanolin Balm is a rich, concentrated balm designed for targeted areas that need heavier, longer-lasting moisture and protection.

Revive Nourishing Lanolin Cream is its gentle, fragrance-free companion, created to help keep skin feeling soft, nourished and comfortable every day.

Repair and Revive were designed to stand beside the original Merino products—not replace them.

The original Merino cream that began our story. Repair for areas needing extra care. Revive for nourishing everyday moisture.

I will always be grateful to Jean for giving me that first jar of New Zealand Merino Lanolin Skin Cream. That simple gift introduced me to lanolin and began a journey I could never have imagined.

Merino represents our trusted New Zealand foundation. Repair and Revive represent the next chapter—American-made products inspired by decades of listening personally to our customers.

Although our product family continues to grow, our purpose remains the same: to offer honest, understandable skincare, help customers find products that suit their needs and stand behind everything we share.

Thank you for being part of this journey.

God bless you and take good care,

Judy Van Steenkiste-Reber
Founder