Every Nana Latta product is made with a small number of clean, traceable, natural ingredients — chosen because they work, not because they're cheap to produce or easy to formulate with. No synthetic fragrances, no preservatives, no mineral oils, no PEGs. This library explains every ingredient we use, why we chose it, which products contain it, and what we use instead of popular ingredients that don't meet our standards.
Looking for a specific ingredient? If you can't find it in the "Ingredients We Use" section, check "Natural Alternatives" — you may find that we use a more effective natural option instead.
Ingredients We Use
The Foundation
Grass-Fed Beef Tallow
What it is: Rendered fat from grass-fed, halal-certified Belgian cattle. The closest thing to your skin's own sebum that exists in nature.
Why we use it: Tallow's fatty acid profile — rich in oleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, and CLA — mirrors the lipid composition of human skin. This means it absorbs readily, reinforces the skin barrier, and delivers fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K in a form the skin can actually use. It is an emollient and an occlusive in one product: it softens the skin and seals moisture in. Unlike plant oils, tallow does not require emulsifiers, preservatives, or water to be effective — one ingredient, complete function.
Skin benefits: Repairs skin barrier, deeply moisturises, delivers vitamins A, D, E and K, anti-inflammatory, non-comedogenic, suitable for all skin types including acne-prone and eczema-prone.
Found in:
Tallow Butter Sweet Orange
Tallow Butter Fancy Rose
Tallow Butter Family Daisy
Tallow + Jojoba Minimalist Butter
Body Butter Lavender & Frankincense
Body Butter Refresh!
Apricot Kernel Oil (Organic)
What it is: Cold-pressed oil from the kernels inside apricot stones. Light, silky, and rich in vitamins A and E.
Why we use it instead of almond oil: Apricot kernel oil and almond oil are often compared — they are botanically similar and both excellent carrier oils. We chose apricot kernel because it is slightly lighter, absorbs marginally faster on the skin, and has a higher oleic acid content. It also has a more neutral scent, which matters in formulas where we want the botanicals and essential oils to speak for themselves. For people who search for almond oil face creams, our apricot kernel formulas deliver the same — or better — result.
Skin benefits: Lightweight hydration, improves skin tone, rich in vitamins A and E, anti-aging, gentle on sensitive skin, non-comedogenic.
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Jojoba Oil (Organic)
What it is: Technically not an oil but a liquid wax ester, pressed from the seeds of the jojoba plant (Simmondsia chinensis). Structurally unique in the plant world.
Why we use it: Jojoba's wax ester structure closely resembles human sebum — which is why it absorbs so cleanly and helps regulate oil production. It is non-comedogenic, indefinitely shelf-stable (wax esters don't oxidise the way oils do), and exceptionally well-tolerated by reactive skin. It is our preferred carrier for acne-prone and oily skin types, and the main carrier in our award-winning Minimalist Butter.
Skin benefits: Balances sebum production, lightweight, non-comedogenic, rich in vitamin E, anti-inflammatory, suitable for acne-prone and oily skin.
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Olive Oil (Organic)
What it is: Cold-pressed oil from olives, predominantly oleic acid (omega-9), used in skincare and food for millennia.
Why we use it: Olive oil is one of the most extensively studied natural skin ingredients. Its high oleic acid content makes it an effective emollient — it softens and conditions skin without feeling heavy. We use organic olive oil as a secondary carrier in body butters and bath products, where its richness and protective quality complement the tallow base.
Skin benefits: Deep moisturisation, antioxidant-rich, soothes dry skin, anti-inflammatory, rich in vitamins E and K, skin barrier support.
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Castor Oil
What it is: Pressed from the seeds of the Ricinus communis plant. Exceptionally high in ricinoleic acid — a unique fatty acid not found in significant quantities in other vegetable oils.
Why we use it: In cold-process soap making, castor oil plays a specific role: it creates a dense, stable, luxurious lather. It also has humectant properties, drawing moisture to the skin during cleansing. We use it in small amounts in our soap to give it that satisfying foam without needing synthetic surfactants.
Skin benefits: Adds lather in soap, humectant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, supports skin healing.
Found in: Minimalist Tallow Soap Bar
Sunflower Seed Oil
What it is: High-linoleic sunflower seed oil, rich in vitamin E and linoleic acid (omega-6).
Why we use it: High-linoleic sunflower oil is different from standard sunflower oil — it has a fatty acid profile better suited for dry and barrier-compromised skin. It serves primarily as a carrier for our fat-soluble botanical extracts, ensuring the actives are evenly distributed throughout the formula.
Skin benefits: Rich in vitamin E, antioxidant protection, lightweight, non-comedogenic, soothes irritation, helps deliver fat-soluble actives.
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Raspberry Seed Oil (Organic)
What it is: Cold-pressed oil from raspberry seeds, naturally rich in omega-3, omega-6, and tocotrienols (a form of vitamin E).
Why we use it: Raspberry seed oil has one of the highest natural concentrations of tocotrienols and a uniquely balanced omega-3 to omega-6 ratio. It provides excellent antioxidant protection and has been studied for its complementary role in mineral sun protection formulas. We use it in our Tallow Sun Balm alongside zinc oxide.
Skin benefits: Antioxidant protection, anti-inflammatory, rich in essential fatty acids, supports skin during sun exposure, nourishing.
Found in: Tallow Sun Balm
Active Botanicals & Extracts
Bakuchiol
What it is: A meroterpene phenol extracted from the seeds and leaves of Psoralea corylifolia (the Babchi plant). The plant-based ingredient clinically proven to replicate retinol's effects.
Why we use it instead of retinol: Multiple peer-reviewed studies have shown bakuchiol reduces fine lines, improves skin elasticity, and promotes cell turnover at rates comparable to retinol — without the photosensitivity, peeling, or irritation that retinol causes. It is safe to use morning and evening, suitable during pregnancy, and well-tolerated by sensitive skin. We use it in our Fancy Rose formula alongside rosehip CO2, where together they target ageing skin through multiple pathways simultaneously.
Skin benefits: Reduces fine lines, improves firmness and elasticity, promotes cell turnover, antioxidant, gentle on sensitive skin, no sun sensitivity.
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Rosehip CO2 Extract (Organic)
What it is: Supercritical CO2 extraction of rosehips, producing a concentrated extract rich in natural vitamin C (ascorbic acid), beta-carotene, and essential fatty acids. More concentrated than standard rosehip oil.
Why we use CO2 extract rather than the oil: CO2 extraction preserves a broader spectrum of bioactives than cold pressing. The resulting extract is more concentrated, more stable, and delivers higher levels of the active compounds. In a tallow base, where we want every ingredient to earn its place, the CO2 extract outperforms standard rosehip oil.
Skin benefits: Brightens skin tone, reduces hyperpigmentation, boosts collagen production, fades dark spots and scars, vitamin C and A rich, anti-aging.
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Carrot CO2 Extract / Beta-Carotene (Organic)
What it is: Supercritical CO2 extract of carrots, delivering highly concentrated beta-carotene — the precursor to vitamin A in its most bioavailable natural form.
Why we use it: Beta-carotene is converted to retinoic acid by the skin as needed — a gentler, self-regulating pathway compared to synthetic retinol or retinoids. It supports cell renewal, protects against free radical damage, and gives skin a healthy, warm glow. The carrot CO2 gives our Sweet Orange butter its distinctive golden tone — that colour is pure beta-carotene, not colouring.
Skin benefits: Skin renewal, antioxidant, reduces hyperpigmentation, promotes a healthy glow, anti-aging, natural source of vitamin A.
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Chamomile / Chamomilla Flower Extract (Organic)
What it is: Extract from Matricaria chamomilla (German chamomile) flowers, standardised for apigenin and bisabolol content — its primary anti-inflammatory compounds.
Why we use it instead of calendula: Both chamomile and calendula are exceptional botanical anti-inflammatories. We chose chamomile for the Family Daisy formula because its bisabolol content delivers particularly fast soothing action on reactive and eczema-affected skin. It is also extremely well-studied for use on infant skin, which matters since Family Daisy is formulated for all ages from babies upward.
Skin benefits: Soothing, anti-inflammatory, calms eczema and redness, promotes healing, suitable for all ages including babies, reduces irritation.
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Raspberry Seed Extract
What it is: Extract from raspberries rich in ellagic acid, anthocyanins, and essential fatty acids. Antioxidant-dense botanical.
Skin benefits: Antioxidant, protects against environmental damage, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, rich in ellagic acid, skin repair and regeneration support.
Found in:
Cranberry Fruit Powder
What it is: Whole cranberry dried and powdered, concentrating its proanthocyanidins, resveratrol, and vitamin C content.
Skin benefits: Powerful antioxidant, fights free radical damage, brightening, vitamin C rich, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory.
Found in:
Rosemary Leaf Extract (Organic)
What it is: Antioxidant extract from rosemary, used as a natural preservative. The active compound is rosmarinic acid.
Why we use it instead of synthetic preservatives: Anhydrous (water-free) formulas like ours don't need traditional preservatives, which work against microbial growth in water-based products. Rosemary extract protects the oils in our formulas from oxidation — extending shelf life naturally without parabens, phenoxyethanol, or benzyl alcohol.
Skin benefits: Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, improves circulation, toning. Primarily used as natural preservation in our formulas.
Found in: All tallow butters and body butters
Essential Oils
Lavender Essential Oil (Organic)
What it is: Steam-distilled oil from Lavandula angustifolia flowers. One of the most studied and versatile essential oils in dermatology.
Skin benefits: Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, promotes skin healing, reduces redness and irritation, calming nervous system effect, supports sleep when used in the evening.
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Frankincense Essential Oil (Organic)
What it is: Steam-distilled resin oil from Boswellia sacra trees. One of the oldest documented skincare and wellness ingredients.
Skin benefits: Supports cell regeneration, reduces appearance of scars and fine lines, astringent and toning, calming, anti-inflammatory. Paired with lavender in our body butter, it creates a synergistic calming and skin-renewing effect.
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Sweet Orange Essential Oil (Organic)
What it is: Cold-pressed oil from the peel of Citrus sinensis. Bright, uplifting citrus oil rich in d-limonene.
Skin benefits: Antioxidant (d-limonene), mood-boosting via aromatherapy, brightening, purifying. Used in combination with carrot extract in our Sweet Orange butter for a layered brightening effect, and in our bath formulas for their mood-lifting scent profile.
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Peppermint Essential Oil (Organic)
What it is: Steam-distilled oil from Mentha piperita leaves. High in menthol and menthone.
Skin benefits: Cooling and refreshing (menthol activates cold receptors), stimulates circulation, antimicrobial, excellent for tired feet and legs, energising aromatherapy effect.
Found in:
Lemongrass Essential Oil (Organic)
What it is: Steam-distilled oil from Cymbopogon citratus, rich in citral.
Skin benefits: Toning and astringent, antimicrobial, deodorising, invigorating. Adds a clean, fresh dimension to the Refresh! body butter alongside peppermint and orange.
Found in:
Geranium Essential Oil (Organic)
What it is: Steam-distilled oil from Pelargonium graveolens (rose geranium). Balancing, floral-herbaceous scent.
Skin benefits: Balances sebum production, astringent, anti-inflammatory, promotes skin regeneration, helps reduce the appearance of pores and uneven texture.
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Waxes, Minerals & Functional Ingredients
Orange Peel Wax (Natural Vitamin C)
What it is: A natural wax fraction extracted from orange peel, concentrated in vitamin C (ascorbic acid derivatives) and flavonoids.
Why we use this instead of pure vitamin C powder: Pure ascorbic acid is notoriously unstable in cosmetic formulas — it oxidises quickly, turns orange, and loses efficacy. Orange peel wax delivers vitamin C in a more stable, fat-soluble fraction that integrates naturally into our anhydrous tallow base and maintains its activity over the product's shelf life.
Skin benefits: Brightening, boosts collagen synthesis, antioxidant, evens skin tone, fights hyperpigmentation.
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Cera Bellina
What it is: A modified plant-based polyhydroxystearate ester — a refined, breathable alternative to beeswax.
Why we use it instead of beeswax: Cera Bellina is vegan-friendly and creates a lighter, less occlusive texture than beeswax. It gives our sun balm the right consistency to spread easily while providing water resistance without a heavy, waxy feel. For customers following halal or vegan principles, this matters.
Skin benefits: Light water-resistance, non-comedogenic, breathable barrier, texture enhancer, suitable for sensitive skin.
Found in: Tallow Sun Balm
Cacao Butter (Organic)
What it is: Natural fat extracted from cacao beans (Theobroma cacao). Solid at room temperature, melts on skin contact.
Skin benefits: Deeply moisturising, high in vitamin E, creates a protective barrier, keeps skin supple and elastic. Adds body and stability to the sun balm formula.
Found in: Tallow Sun Balm
Rice Starch
What it is: Finely milled starch derived from rice grains.
Why we use it: Rice starch gives our tallow butters a silkier, less waxy texture that blends into skin more elegantly. It also provides a subtle mattifying effect that addresses a common concern about tallow products — the worry of shine. A small amount transforms the skin feel completely.
Skin benefits: Absorbs excess oil, mattifying, silky skin feel, gentle on sensitive skin, improves product texture.
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Natural Vitamin E — Tocopherol
What it is: d-alpha-tocopherol from natural sources (typically sunflower oil). The most bioactive form of vitamin E.
Why we add it: As both a skin-active and a natural antioxidant preservative for our oils, vitamin E serves two functions. It protects the formula from oxidation and delivers additional antioxidant activity directly to the skin. We use the natural d-alpha form, not the synthetic dl-alpha form found in cheaper formulas.
Skin benefits: Antioxidant, protects against free radicals and UV damage, moisturising, anti-aging, natural preservative function.
Found in: All tallow butters and body butters
SLSA — Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate (Coconut-Derived)
What it is: A natural surfactant derived from coconut oil. Distinct from SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) — SLSA has a much larger molecular structure and does not penetrate the skin barrier.
Why we use SLSA and not SLS: SLS is a well-known skin irritant — it strips the skin's natural oils and can damage the barrier with repeated use. SLSA creates the same luxurious foam with a much gentler profile. Its molecules are too large to be absorbed, making it safe for sensitive skin.
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Sun Protection
Zinc Oxide — 20% Non-Nano, Reef-Safe
What it is: A naturally occurring mineral that physically blocks UV radiation by reflecting it away from the skin. Our zinc oxide is non-nano (particle size >100nm) and uncoated.
Why we use zinc oxide and not chemical sunscreens: Chemical UV filters — avobenzone, oxybenzone, octocrylene — work by absorbing UV and converting it to heat within the skin. Multiple studies have raised concerns about endocrine disruption, systemic absorption, and environmental toxicity (particularly reef damage). Zinc oxide sits on the skin's surface and reflects both UVA and UVB physically, without being absorbed. Non-nano particles are too large to penetrate skin. It is the only sunscreen ingredient we consider aligned with our philosophy.
Skin benefits: Broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection, reef-safe, non-endocrine-disrupting, suitable for babies and sensitive skin, anti-inflammatory.
Found in: Tallow Sun Balm
Mineral Salts
Magnesium Chloride
What it is: A naturally occurring mineral salt. The form of magnesium most readily absorbed through the skin.
Why magnesium? Magnesium is essential to over 300 enzymatic processes in the body. Many people in Belgium and Europe are chronically deficient — poor soil quality, stress, and a diet heavy in processed food all deplete magnesium. Transdermal absorption through a bath soak is a gentle, effective way to supplement. Magnesium helps relax muscle tissue, supports the nervous system, and improves sleep quality when used in the evening.
Benefits: Relaxes muscles, reduces tension, supports sleep, anti-inflammatory, skin-softening.
Found in:
Magnesium Sulfate (Epsom Salt)
What it is: A compound of magnesium and sulfate, the classic bath soak mineral used for generations for sore muscles and relaxation.
Benefits: Relieves muscle soreness and cramps, promotes relaxation, improves magnesium absorption, detoxifying.
Found in:
Sea Salt (Sodium Chloride)
What it is: Unrefined sea salt, naturally rich in trace minerals including potassium, calcium, and magnesium.
Benefits: Detoxifies skin, purifies pores, provides gentle exfoliation when dissolved in bath water, mineral-rich, promotes circulation.
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Himalayan Pink Salt
What it is: Ancient salt from the Himalayan mountains, its pink colour from iron oxide content. Contains 84 trace minerals.
Benefits: Mineral-rich detoxification, balances skin pH, promotes circulation, purifying, relaxing bath ingredient.
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Natural Alternatives — What We Use Instead
This section is for anyone who knows an ingredient by name and wonders whether Nana Latta uses it. If we don't use it, we explain why — and what we use instead.
Almond Oil (Amandelolie)
Do we use it? No. We use apricot kernel oil instead.
Why: Almond oil and apricot kernel oil are very similar botanically. We prefer apricot kernel for its slightly lighter texture, higher oleic acid content, and more neutral scent profile. The result for your skin is equivalent or slightly better — and apricot is gentler for people with tree nut sensitivities.
Argan Oil
Do we use it? No. We use jojoba oil as our primary light carrier oil.
Why: Argan oil is excellent, but jojoba outperforms it in one critical way: as a wax ester, jojoba doesn't oxidise. Argan oil can go rancid. Jojoba's sebum-mimicking structure also makes it uniquely effective for regulating oil production.
Coconut Oil
Do we use it? No. We use tallow instead.
Why: Coconut oil has a comedogenic rating of 4 out of 5 — it clogs pores for many people. Tallow's fatty acid profile mirrors human sebum far more closely, which is why it absorbs cleanly and won't cause breakouts.
Hyaluronic Acid
Do we use it? No. We address moisture using tallow.
Why: Hyaluronic acid is a temporary humectant; tallow is a barrier restorer. For chronically dry or eczema-prone skin, the underlying issue is almost always barrier damage — not lack of water. Tallow addresses the cause. That said, if you love your HA serum, tallow works beautifully on top of it.
Retinol / Vitamin A (Synthetic)
Do we use it? No. We use bakuchiol and carrot CO2 extract instead.
Why: Bakuchiol has been shown in clinical trials to reduce fine lines at rates comparable to retinol, without photosensitivity or irritation. Our carrot CO2 extract provides natural beta-carotene — a gentler vitamin A pathway the skin converts at its own pace.
Vitamin C Serum
Do we use it? Not as a serum. We use orange peel wax and rosehip CO2 extract as our vitamin C sources.
Why: Pure ascorbic acid oxidises rapidly — turning serums orange and losing efficacy. Orange peel wax delivers fat-soluble vitamin C that's stable in our anhydrous base. More effective, more stable, no waste.
Shea Butter
Do we use it? No. We use tallow as our butter base.
Why: Shea is a good ingredient, but tallow's complete nutritional profile — palmitic acid, CLA, and fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, K — outperforms shea for genuine barrier repair. Shea does not deliver these vitamins at meaningful levels.
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
Do we use it? No. We approach similar concerns with carrot CO2, rosehip CO2, and jojoba oil.
Why: Niacinamide is synthetic and water-soluble — it requires a water-based formula and preservatives. Our formulas are anhydrous by design. For tone and pore concerns we prefer the natural vitamin A pathway.
Calendula
Do we use it? No. We use chamomile extract for the same purpose.
Why: Chamomile's bisabolol content delivers faster soothing action on reactive and eczema-affected skin. It's also extremely well-documented for use on infant skin — which matters for our Family Daisy formula.
Beeswax
Do we use it? No. We use cera bellina (a plant-based wax ester) instead.
Why: Beeswax creates a heavy texture. Cera bellina gives the same water-resistance with a lighter skin feel. It's also vegan-friendly and plant-derived.
Glycerin
Do we use it? No. Our anhydrous formulas work through a different mechanism.
Why: Glycerin draws water to the skin — useful in water-based creams but irrelevant in a fat-based formula. Tallow feeds the skin the lipids it needs to hold water naturally.
Aloe Vera
Do we use it? No. We achieve soothing through chamomile extract and the anti-inflammatory properties of tallow itself.
Why: Aloe vera is primarily water — it doesn't belong in a water-free formula. Tallow's vitamin D and CLA content provide genuine anti-inflammatory action at the skin barrier level, not just surface cooling.
Chemical Sunscreens (Oxybenzone, Avobenzone, Octocrylene)
Do we use them? No. We use 20% non-nano zinc oxide exclusively.
Why: Chemical UV filters are absorbed into the bloodstream (documented in multiple studies) and are associated with reef toxicity. Non-nano zinc oxide provides equivalent broad-spectrum protection physically, without absorption, without endocrine concerns, reef-safe. Safe for babies and pregnant women.
Hemp Seed Oil
Do we use it? No. We use jojoba oil for the same skin types.
Why: Hemp seed oil is good for oily skin but oxidises quickly and has a short shelf life. Jojoba is a wax ester — it doesn't oxidise — making it a more stable, longer-lasting option with the same skin-regulating effect.
Sea Buckthorn Oil
Do we use it? No. We use carrot CO2 extract as our beta-carotene source instead.
Why: Sea buckthorn's orange pigment is so intense it stains skin. Our carrot CO2 delivers the same beta-carotene with a warm golden tint that's formulation-friendly.
Evening Primrose Oil
Do we use it? No. Raspberry seed extract and the CLA in our tallow base address similar skin concerns.
Why: Evening primrose oil has a very short shelf life — it oxidises quickly due to its high GLA content. We get significant omega-6 activity from raspberry seed extract and from the natural CLA in our grass-fed tallow.
Rosehip Oil
Do we use it? We use rosehip CO2 extract instead of standard rosehip oil.
Why: CO2 extraction produces a far more concentrated extract than cold pressing — more active compounds at lower concentrations, and more stable. Our Fancy Rose butter uses rosehip CO2 for higher potency than standard rosehip oil.
Our Ingredient Philosophy
Every ingredient in a Nana Latta product has to earn its place. We start from as few ingredients as possible and add only what genuinely improves the result for your skin. We never add an ingredient for marketing appeal or because it is fashionable.
Our formulas are anhydrous (water-free) by design. No water means no synthetic preservatives needed. It means a higher concentration of active ingredients in every jar. And it means our products work differently from most conventional moisturisers — not by coating the skin with water-binding polymers, but by feeding the skin the lipids and nutrients it needs to function well on its own.
All our ingredients are:
- Natural — no synthetic fragrances, no mineral oils, no PEGs, no parabens, no phenoxyethanol
- Sustainably sourced — our tallow comes from Belgian grass-fed farms; we prioritise local and ethical suppliers
- Minimally processed — cold-pressed, CO2-extracted, or steam-distilled where possible
- Halal certified (our tallow) — sourced and processed to halal standards
- Cruelty-free — never tested on animals
Have a question about a specific ingredient? Contact us — we are always happy to talk about what goes into our products.
