Ask Nonna: Your questions about Natural Skincare Answered

At di Nonna, every soap, cream and balm comes from a place of love-love for my family, for natural living, and for timeless traditions of using the earth’s gifts to nourish our skin. Many people are curious about how natural skincare works, why I use certain ingredients, and what makes these products special. To help, I’ve put together a few of the most common questions I hear-along with heartfelt, fact based answers.

1.Why do you use tallow in most of your products?

Tallow has been used for centuries as a skin protector and healer. It’s rich in vitamins A, D, E, and K, as well as conjugated linoleic acid, which helps support skin repair. Unlike many commercial creams full of synthetic fillers, tallow closely mimics our skin’s natural oils, so it absorbs deeply without clogging pores.

2.How is tallow soap different from store-bought soap?

Most commercial soaps are really detergents-made with synthetic surfactants that strip the skin’s barrier. My cold-processed soaps are crafted with nourishing oils, butters and natural additives like clays, goat milk and botanicals.

This process creates natural glycerin, a humectant that draws moisture into the skin. The result is a soap that cleanses while leaving your skin soft and balanced.

3.Can natural skincare help sensitive skin?

Yes! Many people with eczema, psoriasis, or irritation from synthetic products find relief with natural formulations. By leaving out harsh chemicals, synthetic fragrances, and unnecessary preservatives, the skin has space to heal.

Ingredients like calendula, chamomile, and lavender are naturally soothing, and the simplicity of the recipes helps protect the skin barrier instead of overwhelming it.

4.What are the benefits of essential oils compared to synthetic fragrance?

Essential oils provide a beautiful natural scent- they also provide therapeutic properties:

Lavender calms the skin and nervous system

Frankincense supports cell renewal ( I put this in every product)

Citrus Oils uplift mood and brighten the skins appearance

Synthetic fragrances may smell nice, but for me, essential oils are about holistic wellness, not just fragrance.

5.Why do you avoid parabens, sulfates, and phthalates?

These common additives in mainstream skincare can disrupt hormones, cause dryness, or irritate sensitive skin. My goal is to create products that support health, not compromise it.

That’s why di Nonna products are made with simple, natural ingredients that you can pronounce and trust.

6.What makes handmade products different from mass-produced ones?

Handmade means heart-made. Every bar of soap I cut, every jar I fill carries my love for the craft and my desire to pass down the wisdom of living simply and naturally.

Mass produced products are made for profit and speed. Mine are made for connection, care, and the joy of sharing something honest with you.

7.Why are you so passionate about sharing your natural skincare?

For me, this isn’t just about skincare-it’s about legacy. I want my children and granddaughter to see the value in slowing down, creating with your hands, and respecting the gifts nature offers.

Every product I make is an invitation: to care for yourself, to simplify, and to reconnect with traditions that nourish both body and soul.

In closing, natural skincare isn’t just a trend- it’s a return to what is real. Thank you for letting me share my love and my craft with you. Your skin deserves honesty, and so does your heart. With Love, Nonna