Shane & Kylie McDonald Founders of Leaf Skincare

ABOUT US

Leaf Skincare began with Shane and Kylie McDonald - long‑time Taranaki farmers who believe that caring for the land and caring for the animals go hand in hand. For years, they’ve raised their livestock the right way: free‑range, stress‑free, with lush green pasture to graze and pure Taranaki mountain water to drink.

Their philosophy was simple:

What we put on our skin should be just as pure, honest, and nourishing as the food we grow and eat.

From that belief, Leaf Skincare was born.

Using the superior suet (leaf fat) from their 100% grass‑fed Taranaki beef, they discovered a way to create a beautifully pure tallow - rich in vitamins, deeply hydrating, and incredibly gentle on the skin. This became the foundation of a skincare range designed to heal, hydrate, and protect.

Today, we continue the values Shane and Kylie built Leaf upon. Every tin we craft honours their commitment to purity, honesty, and respect for the land.

OUR VALUES

Sustainability

We transform suet, a nutrient‑dense ingredient that would otherwise be discarded, into premium skincare that nourishes your skin and reduces waste. Nothing wasted, everything respected.

Traceability

We know exactly where our tallow comes from. Our suet is sourced from world‑class NZ farmers across Taranaki, including Shane and Kylie themselves. Every batch has a story and a place.

Integrity

Each tin is made with care in small batches, using only the best hand‑selected suet from healthy, pasture‑raised animals. Our rendering and production take place in an MPI‑approved facility right here in Taranaki, ensuring quality, safety, and transparency at every step.

Our Promise

Leaf Skincare is crafted with intention, pure ingredients, honest processes, and a deep respect for the land and animals that make it possible. From farm to formula, we create skincare that feels good, does good, and stays true to its roots.

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