Healing Lard Balm
Another way to use nourishing animal fats on your skin. Rendered from pasture-raised pigs, lard has been used on skin for centuries — its fatty acid profile sits close to our own skin oils. Softer and lighter than our tallow balms, it’s lovely everyday nourishment for dry hands, garden hands, winter skin, and anywhere that needs a little attention.
Choose your scent
All five are the same nourishing balm, each with its own character. Read what each one brings:
To order, select your scent above and mention it when you get in touch — or email ancestral_traditions@hotmail.com.
Why Lard?
Lard and tallow are two sides of the same idea — animal fats, rendered slowly, used on skin the way our ancestors used them. They behave differently, and that’s the point.
Tallow is firmer and richer — a beautiful, protective balm that’s lovely for very dry or weathered skin. Lard is softer and lighter, and spreads further. Both are nourishing; many people keep both on the shelf and reach for whichever suits the day.
Both are rich in the fat-soluble vitamins our skin recognises. Many people keep both on the shelf and use whichever suits the day.
Key Benefits
- Soft, Light Everyday Nourishment: Lard is softer and lighter — it spreads further and easily across the skin. Lovely for everyday use, and for anyone who prefers a lighter balm.
- Close to Your Own Skin Oils: Lard's fatty acid profile — oleic, palmitic and stearic acids — is similar to the oils our skin produces naturally.
- Naturally Nutrient-Rich: Rich in fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K, with naturally occurring selenium and zinc from pasture-raised pigs.
- Made with Simple Ingredients: Pasture-raised lard, cold-pressed olive oil, jojoba and beeswax. No synthetic additives, no industrial seed oils, no endocrine disruptors. The Unscented balm also contains unrefined coconut oil.
- Five Scents to Choose From: Rose Geranium, Orange, Myrrh, Lavender and Unscented — each blended with pure essential oils, except the Unscented, which has nothing added at all.
Ingredients
Handcrafted in small batches locally in Dungog. Every balm shares the same nourishing base:
Slow-rendered from pasture-raised pigs at La'Connor Ridge. Lard's fatty acid profile sits close to our own skin oils, so it absorbs readily and helps support the skin's natural barrier. Naturally rich in fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K, with small amounts of selenium and zinc.
Rich in polyphenols and deeply moisturising, it helps the balm glide on smoothly and keeps skin soft.
A light, gentle oil that closely resembles human sebum — a favourite for sensitive skin.
Locks the balm to your skin so the nourishment stays where you put it.
Rich in lauric acid, it helps support the skin barrier and lock in moisture. The Unscented balm is the only one made with coconut oil — Rose Geranium, Orange, Myrrh and Lavender are all made without it.
The Essential Oils
Each scent brings its own character — see the descriptions under each scent above.
Soft, floral and calming. Balancing for the skin — a long-standing favourite for mature and sensitive skin, and a gentle way to unwind at the end of the day.
Bright and uplifting. Naturally rich in antioxidants, it helps refresh and tone the skin while lifting your mood — sunshine in a jar.
Warm, resinous and grounding. One of the oldest skincare ingredients known, used for millennia for its soothing qualities — particularly lovely on dry or weathered skin.
Gentle and soothing. Calming for both skin and mind, and one of the most trusted botanicals for sensitive skin.
Good to Know
Our lard comes from pasture-raised pigs at La’Connor Ridge. Because lard is higher in oleic acid than tallow, it’s a little softer and best kept in a cool, dark place so it holds its texture.
Lard has been used on skin for centuries, and animal fats are famously gentle — most people with sensitive skin get on well with them. As with anything new, patch-test first on a small area.
Storage & Usage
- Take a little: Scoop a small amount with clean, dry fingers — a little goes a long way.
- Warm it: Rub between your palms to soften before applying.
- Apply: Massage into hands, elbows, heels, or anywhere that needs attention. Use on face and body too.
- Reapply: As often as you like, especially after washing hands or being outdoors.
- Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
What to Expect
Because we use pure, organic ingredients and no synthetic stabilisers, every handcrafted batch is naturally its own — colour, texture and scent can shift subtly with the seasons and temperature. That small change is the signature of a truly natural product, and it never affects how well it works.
Sensitive Skin
Real skincare should be gentle enough for everyone. If you have sensitive or reactive skin — or new to tallow — we always recommend a quick patch test on a small area first, then wait 24 hours before your first full use.
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