Hi, I'm Elisabeth

I'm so glad you found me! I love lard. I've always had dry skin but as I've aged I've had extra challenges as a result of using certain medicated cremes in the past.  Although I started making lard soap as a way to use up excess lard, I quickly found that the soap made my skin feel soft and nourished.

Maybe I was on to something! What about a lard-based balm? What could that do for my skin challenges? I learned about calendula and how it helps hydrate and nourish skin and its role in healing wounds. So I figured out how to infuse it into my pastured lard.  Finally!  A completely natural balm that would soothe rather than burn when I put it on my skin.  Antonina's Garden was born.

I'm so excited to share the advantages of using lard-based skin care.  I'd love to support you on your journey towards soft, glowing, comfortable skin.  I know you'll find the same benefits from my soaps and balms and learn to love lard as much as I do. I look forward to meeting you!

Lard? On your skin?

Antonina's Garden handcrafts soaps and balms made from lard. Here are just a few reasons to clean and moisturize your skin with it...

Lard mimics our natural skin oils, which makes our products and balms especially nourishing — even more so than plant-based soaps. It’s a gentle and natural way to cleanse your skin and moisturize without clogging your pores.

But not all lard is created equal. Vitamin D-rich lard comes from pastured hogs that have been exposed to sunlight. When you use lard on your skin, you're soaking up all of that Vitamin D.

Lard is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin E, and Vitamin A. It’s packed full of nutrients that help give you healthy, glowing skin.

Before imported or manufactured oils became the norm, soaps were traditionally made from animal fat — and some common soaps found in grocery stores still use it today. It’s likely what your grandmother or great-grandmother used.

The lard for our soaps and balms comes from a small family farm in Blacksburg, Virginia. Using more of the animal helps reduce waste. 

From farm, to home workshop, to here... our soaps and balms are crafted in small batches, with care and consideration for your health and the world around you.

Who Is Antonina?

There is no Antonina...

The Antonines were an order of monks founded around 1095 in France who were followers of St. Anthony of Egypt. The community opened a hospital near the shrine where they cared for pilgrims who were sick. They used lard and medicinal herbs to tend to those with skin aliments, particularly those afflicted with Saint Anthony's Fire.