At The Four Little Hogs, we believe you deserve to know exactly what you’re putting on your skin and in your home. Every ingredient we use is chosen with intention, for a purpose—not just because it’s trendy or cheap. We keep things simple, practical, and family-friendly, and we make our products in small batches with ingredients we trust and use ourselves.

Below you’ll find a breakdown of some of our most-used ingredients and why they’re here.

Lard

One of our most-loved (and most misunderstood) ingredients! We use lard because it’s incredibly nourishing, gentle, and skin-loving. We source fat locally and render it ourselves, right here at home. Lard is rich in vitamins and closely resembles our skin’s natural oils, which makes it great for moisturizing without feeling greasy.

Shea Butter

Shea butter is a rich, creamy butter that helps soften and protect the skin. It’s especially great for dry or sensitive skin and adds a luxurious feel to lotions, balms, and butters.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil helps cleanse and adds hardness and lather to soaps. In leave-on products, it helps with glide and moisture. We use it carefully and in balanced amounts so products stay gentle, not drying.

Sweet Almond Oil

A lightweight, fast-absorbing oil that helps soften skin without feeling heavy or greasy. It’s great for everyday moisture and helps make products feel smooth and easy to use.

Castor Oil

Castor oil is used in small amounts to boost lather in soaps and add shine and conditioning. A little goes a long way, and it makes a big difference in how a product feels.

Beeswax

Beeswax helps thicken and protect. It creates a light barrier on the skin that helps lock in moisture without clogging pores—perfect for balms, lotion bars, and salves.

Magnesium Chloride

We use magnesium chloride in our magnesium products to help support relaxation and soothe tired muscles. It’s a popular ingredient for bedtime routines and post-bath or post-workout care.

Sugar

In our scrubs, sugar acts as a gentle exfoliant to help remove dry, dull skin and leave you feeling smooth and refreshed.

Fragrance Oils & Essential Oils

We use a mix of high-quality fragrance oils and essential oils, always skin-safe and used at proper usage rates. Every scent is chosen carefully to be enjoyable without being overwhelming.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps nourish the skin and also helps extend the shelf life of our products.

A Note on Simplicity

We don’t believe in overloading products with fillers or unnecessary ingredients. Our goal is simple, effective, and honest products—made for real families, real skin, and real life.