Mercy Balm

Forgiveness for your skins.

In order to get the most deeply and shockingly moisturizing skin, you must use the balm from the moistest of all the animals. We raised some heritage breed lard pigs, and it was an experience! If there's one word to describe pigs it's greedy, but a second word would be moist. Mercy has been working to turn this greed for moisture into something extremely useful in the winter time. Feet cracking, blisters, dry hands, dry face--all solved with Mercy Balm. Here's what's in it and why:

Mangalitsa Lard The foundation of Mercy Balm is rendered fat from our pasture-raised Mangalitsa pigs, a heritage breed renowned for its incredibly creamy, nutrient-dense fat. This lard is chosen for its striking bio-compatibility; its lipid profile mimics human sebum almost identically. Because your skin recognizes this molecular structure, the fat absorbs deeply rather than sitting on the surface, delivering essential omega fatty acids and naturally occurring Vitamins D, A, and E directly where they are needed for profound hydration and skin barrier repair.

Beeswax Pure, natural beeswax (we raise bees, but we did need to buy extra beeswax for this) to give the balm its structure and smooth consistency, turning the rich oils into an easy-to-apply salve. More than just a thickener, beeswax acts as a breathable, protective shield over the skin’s surface. It effectively seals in the deep moisture provided by the lard while defending against harsh environmental stressors like biting wind and cold air, all without clogging pores.

Sage Infused directly into the fat is wild-harvested Big Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata), the iconic aromatic herb of the high desert. Beyond imparting a grounding, earthy scent that evokes the American West, sage has been valued for centuries for its traditional antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. This botanical infusion helps calm reddened, irritated, or damaged skin, adding an active herbal component to the balm’s soothing capabilities.

What Is Not Included Just as important as our three ingredients is what we intentionally leave out. Unlike the vast majority of commercial lotions and creams which are primarily composed of water—necessitating the use of strong synthetic preservatives like parabens to prevent mold—our balm is waterless and highly concentrated. You will never find cheap fillers like petroleum-based mineral oil, artificial dyes, synthetic fragrances, or phthalates in our tins. Every element serves a functional purpose for skin health, providing 100% potent nourishment with zero filler.