Because our salves have zero water, they're nutrient dense and a little goes a long way.

It can be a little bit of an adjustment from other water-based moisturisers and the main mistake people make it applying too much.

If you prefer light coverage, we recommend you extract a pea sized amount using the back of your fingernail (or a clean spatula), gently warm the product between your fingers, then either pat over your face and neck, or lightly apply in upward movements.

If you're after more intensive hydration for particularly dry areas like heels, hands, or elbows, you repeat these steps, yet but slather the salve on as much as you like.

We find they're excellent as the final step in your skincare routine, to lock in the goodness and hydration before you go to bed - then you wake up with skin that feels soft, supple and hydrated.

Tallow is a beautifully simple, nutrient‑rich ingredient made from purified animal fats. Many companies used mixed fats in their tallow formulations, whereas we only use 100% certified suet-fat which is much more pure, creamy and nutrient dense.

Tallows fatty acid profile is remarkably similar to our skin’s own natural oils, which means it absorbs easily, nourishes deeply, and supports a healthy, resilient skin barrier. It’s rich in vitamins A, D, E, K and essential fatty acids - all vital for calm, hydrated, glowing skin. It is a fantastic base that works perfect in synergy with our other high-quality ingredients and/or the rest of your skincare regime.

We’re a small NZ business and exclusively use premium, grass‑fed NZ suet- tallow from local Taranaki farms, blended with carefully selected luxurious butters, oils and botanicals. Each ingredients offering a real benefit to your skin.

Every batch is small‑batch crafted for purity, potency, and consistency. Our focus is on transparency, education, and creating products that genuinely support skin health without unnecessary additives.

We choose a salve because it delivers better stability, purity, and performance - especially when working with premium suet tallow.

A whipped formula may look airy and pretty, but whipping introduces air, which can:

• shorten shelf life
• cause the product to collapse or deflate over time
• create inconsistency between batches
• make the balm melt faster in warm climates

A salve, on the other hand, allows us to:

• maintain the purity and stability of our ultra-pure suet tallow
• create a smooth, dense, nutrient‑rich texture that melts beautifully on contact
• ensure consistent performance from jar to jar
• avoid unnecessary aeration that can compromise the formula
• deliver a balm that feels luxurious, silky, and deeply nourishing without being greasy

Whipped balms are often chosen for aesthetics. We choose a salve because it’s better for your skin, better for the ingredients, and better for long‑term product quality.

Absolutely. We exclusively use Taranaki suet tallow, which is 100% grass-fed, free range and ethical, sourced from from local reputable farms across Taranaki. All of our tallow is processed at a MPI registered micro-abattoir in Taranaki, NZ.

Using tallow in our skincare formulas is a form of upcycling, transforming a what was previously a by-product into a high‑performing, low‑impact skincare ingredient. It’s a sustainable alternative to heavily processed ingredients or imported ingredients.

Not when it’s high‑quality and properly rendered. We render our suet tallow using a mix of wet and dry rendering methods to preserve the goodness of the tallow, as well as ensuring the final result is pure and all water is removed, which reduces the risk of oxidization and contamination.

Our tallow melts effortlessly into the skin, leaving a soft, velvety finish rather than a heavy or oily residue. A little goes a long way meaning a pea sized amount is enough to cover your face and neck.

If you prefer light moisturisation, just use a very small amount, if you're looking for intensive hydration, apply more as you need it.

No. Premium, purified tallow has a very mild scent. We render our suet using a combination of wet and dry rendering methods to ensure ultra-purity, then blend with luxurious butters, oils and botanicals to create a clean, beautiful aroma.

Yes, Leaf is designed to be deeply supportive for skin experiencing the changes that often come with perimenopause and menopause.

During this time, many people notice increased dryness, sensitivity, a weakened skin barrier, and a loss of suppleness. These shifts are linked to natural hormonal changes, and it’s always a good idea to speak with a healthcare professional if you have concerns about your skin or overall health.

From a skincare perspective, our tallow‑based formulas can be especially helpful because:

• Tallow closely mimics the skin’s natural oils, which tend to decline during perimenopause and menopause. This helps replenish lost lipids and restore comfort.
• Our in-house rendered suet tallow delivers a clean, mild, nutrient‑rich base that supports barrier repair - essential when skin becomes more reactive or easily dehydrated.
• The blend of butters, lightweight oils, and botanicals enhances absorption and provides additional antioxidants and soothing compounds that menopausal skin often craves.
• The rich, occlusive yet breathable texture helps reduce transepidermal water loss, keeping skin soft, cushioned, and hydrated for longer.

Many customers in this life stage tell us Leaf helps their skin feel calmer, more resilient, and more nourished.

Yes. Tallow is rich in antioxidants and fat‑soluble vitamins that support elasticity, barrier repair, and long‑lasting hydration, all essential for healthy, vibrant aging skin.

Definitely. Tallow works beautifully as a moisturiser, balm, or final step to lock in hydration. It pairs well with serums, gentle actives, and SPF sunscreens.

Because tallow is bio‑compatible with human skin, it’s gentle and soothing. Many people with eczema, dermatitis, rosacea, and acne find tallow helps reduce irritation and restore balance. Our formulas are always free from synthetic fragrances, fillers, and common irritants.

Like all skincare, it is still important to patch-test any tallow formula on your skin prior to full use, and discontinue use immediately if any irritation or reaction occurs.

Pure tallow can be effective, but it can also feel heavy, waxy, or occlusive on it's own - especially in warmer climates or on combination skin. We choose to elevate tallow, not rely on it alone.

By blending tallow with luxurious butters, lightweight oils, and botanicals, we create formulas that:

• absorb more elegantly
• deliver a smoother, softer texture
• offer additional skin benefits (antioxidants, vitamins, anti‑inflammatory compounds)
• suit a wider range of skin types

It’s the difference between a simple fat and a refined, modern skincare formulation.

Each ingredient is chosen for a specific purpose. For example:

• Shea Butter adds creaminess and boosts moisture retention
• Jojoba Oil improves glide and absorption
• Botanical oils provide antioxidants, vitamins, and calming properties

Together, they create a balanced luxurious formula that softens, protects and hydrates your skin.

Botanicals bring targeted benefits - calming, brightening, soothing, or strengthening the skin barrier. They also contribute to the light, natural fragrance profile without synthetic perfumes. This creates a more complete, sensory skincare experience.

Pure essential oils are very concentrated and potent, so we ensure that these botanicals combined make up less that 1% of the formula. This helps to ensure safe use for your face and sensitive skin whilst still providing the beautiful aroma and benefits to your skin. However, we do still advise a patch test prior to use to ensure compatibility with your skin.

It is important to mention that our products, being oil-based and natural are sensitive to temperature. We keep them controlled during the formulation process and during storage here at Leaf, but once they are out on their way to you there is a chance that temperatures may fluctuate and slightly change the texture of the product. This however does not change its efficacy.

If your product arrives a little softer than anticipated due to warmer temperatures during transit, store it in a cool place and allow it to firm up again before use. Tallow is solid and stable at room temperature, so our products are happy sitting anywhere in your home and do not require refrigeration.

Our salves include ingredients such as tallow and beeswax which are solid at room temperature, so likewise if your salve is firm due to colder temperatures, simply use the back of your nail or a small spatula to remove the desired amount from the tin, then gently warm between your fingertips and it will melt beautifully for application.

Yes. Tallow remains the hero of our formulations. The supporting ingredients are there to enhance performance, texture, and skin feel - not to dilute the benefits.

Absolutely. Our formulas are designed for daily use and are especially beneficial for dry, sensitive, or barrier‑compromised skin.

Yes - our rendering process and ingredient blend create a smooth, breathable balm suitable for facial use. Many customers use it as a daily moisturiser, night balm, or barrier repair treatment.

A small amount goes a very long way, so you only need a pea sized amount to cover your neck and face.

Our formulas are made from simple, natural ingredients with minimal essential oils. However, because every pregnancy is unique, we recommend checking with your healthcare provider if you have concerns. Our gentle Salve is the safest option as we have formulated this product with no essential oils.

What makes your tallow different from other brands?

• We use premium suet (leaf fat) - the cleanest fat on the animal
• We render it using a combination of wet and dry methods for purity and mildness
• We blend with carefully selected butters, oils, and botanicals
• We formulate for luxury texture, elegant absorption, and long‑lasting hydration

We render our tallow in an approved MPI facility and hand craft our formulas in small batches right here in Taranaki, NZ. Meaning we're about to control the whole process from start to finish.

This is modern, elevated, skin‑loving skincare.

We use pure (therapeutic grade) essential oils intentionally and sparingly. Our goal is a light, natural scent that complements the tallow without overwhelming sensitive skin.

All of our Leaf Skincare tins are made from Aluminium and are cosmetic grade. We wash and sanitise before filling with the skincare product.

This makes them suitable for curbside recycling. Simply wash the tins when you’ve finished and they’re good to pop in the recycling bin.

Keep them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Tallow and ingredients like beeswax are solid when cool yet are naturally shelf‑stable, so don’t require refrigeration, but storing it out of heat will maintain its smooth texture, protect the delicate essential oils and lengthen the shelf life.

Leaf’s grass‑fed tallow is rich in soothing fatty acids and vitamins that help calm, hydrate, and repair skin after sun exposure. It replenishes lost moisture, supports the skin barrier, and reduces the feeling of tightness or irritation, making it a gentle, natural option for after‑sun recovery.

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