The Unsung Hero of Skincare: Lard

Lard was used to make soap for centuries, as it was a convenient and common household ingredient. I’ll make this part quick, so I don’t bore you with the entire history of soap- Lard became harder to come by during WWII so companies started using synthetic detergents that required a slew of other chemicals to keep them shelf stable. Meanwhile, animal fat-based soap became ‘old school’.

Many detergent-based cleansers use 10–40+ ingredients to attempt to recreate what traditional soap naturally provides with just three ingredients: a fat (in our case, Lard), water, and lye. Through the saponification process these three ingredients create soap and glycerin.

The main takeaway about Lard you should know is how closely it mimics human skin. It’s the same reason pig skin is used for temporary human skin grafts. They share similar lipid structures, pH levels, and molecular makeup. The similarities between the two allow Lard to absorb easily into human skin without clogging pores.

Here is a breakdown of everything Lard has to offer:

Mimics skin oils: Lard’s fatty acid profile closely resembles the oils naturally found in human skin, helping support the protective barrier that keeps moisture in and irritants out.

Deep hydration: Naturally rich in oleic, palmitic, and stearic fatty acids, lard helps soften dry skin and maintain a healthy moisture balance.

Naturally nourishing: Lard contains naturally occurring vitamins like A, D, and E, which contribute to the look and feel of healthy, resilient skin.

Gentle on sensitive skin: By supporting the skin barrier instead of stripping it, traditional lard soap can help calm the discomfort associated with dryness and irritation. Since traditional does not require stabilizers or preservatives, recipes are kept simple with less chance to irritate sensitive skin. 

When buying lard-based soap you can expect a hard, long-lasting bar with a creamy, lotion-like lather.