Lapland Cosmetics

Brand's website: Lapland Cosmetics

Lapland Cosmetics® is a Finnish natural skincare brand – the first in the world to create products based on Arctic reindeer tallow. The brand was founded by Slovak-born Katarina Lehti after a homemade reindeer tallow balm instantly soothed and restored her sensitive skin. The brand’s mission is to offer simple, single-ingredient balms made from pure reindeer tallow enriched with Nordic botanical extracts, with a strong focus on transparency and scientifically supported effects.

The portfolio includes handcrafted face and body balms in several variants with Arctic berries, juniper and birch, as well as nourishing lip balms (including a tinted version). All products are handmade in Finland using ethically sourced reindeer tallow and carefully selected Arctic ingredients such as wild berries, herbs and extracts. The result is deeply nourishing, highly concentrated skincare that regenerates, protects and restores dry and sensitive skin.

Aurora borealis glowing above snow-covered pine trees in Lapland’s winter night forest.

Renowned Arctic balms, valued for their:

  • Traditional formulation & effectiveness – a combination of centuries-proven reindeer tallow and Nordic plants; a fusion of ancient wisdom and modern science for real results.
  • Nourishing & biocompatible base – reindeer tallow rich in lipids and vitamins, similar in composition to human skin lipids; easily absorbed, deeply hydrating and barrier-strengthening.
  • Purity & craftsmanship – ingredients from wild Lapland nature, free from pesticides and hormones; handmade in small batches without synthetic substances, preservatives or fillers.
  • Protective effect & versatility – balms create a natural shield against frost and dryness, support the healing of cracked skin and, thanks to their concentrated form, offer universal use (face, body, lips, hands and more).
Lip balm icon - green colour, white background

Lip care

Face and body balm icon - green colour, white background

Body & face care

 
 

Who’s behind the Lapland Cosmetics® brand

Lapland Cosmetics® was founded by Katarina Lehti, a Slovak-born founder living in Lapland. After her own experience with chronically sensitive and dry skin, she began exploring traditional Arctic ingredients – fascinated by how people protected their skin in a harsh climate long before modern cosmetics. She discovered a forgotten treasure: reindeer tallow, which for centuries formed part of Nordic skin care. She tested the first balm on herself and the result was immediate: her skin calmed and recovered, which motivated her to create her own brand (the first of its kind in the world). Her mission became to bring this pure, natural source of nourishment for the skin to others – especially those who struggle with dry, sensitive or even eczema-prone skin.

Lehti built the brand in Lapland (Finland) and has been developing it from the very beginning (2023) as Founder/CEO and the lead formulator. She combines entrepreneurial vision with a deep interest in the science of natural skincare: she studied the available knowledge on reindeer tallow and Nordic plants, completed the necessary certifications for cosmetic production, and gained hands-on experience as a formulator. At Lapland Cosmetics®, she therefore serves as the lead product developer and ensures every balm meets strict standards for sensitive skin. Long-term, she is dedicated to education about the benefits of reindeer fat – writing expert-led articles and connecting ancient wisdom with modern science in support of skin health.

Personal story and the brand’s beginnings

Behind Lapland Cosmetics® is Katarina Lehti – a Slovak with a northern soul who found her home in Lapland. Her journey began simply: with a search for something that would truly help her overly sensitive skin. Instead of complicated formulas, she turned to nature and discovered reindeer tallow – a traditional, yet almost forgotten way people protected their skin in the Arctic climate for generations.

From the first homemade balm came the idea for a brand that brings together care, purity and function. To this day, Katarina remains the formulator and the face of the brand – personally guaranteeing the quality of every product while continuing her education and outreach. Lapland Cosmetics® is therefore not only her project, but also her labour of love.

Lapland Cosmetics – founder Katarina Lehti

A reindeer against wild Arctic nature, mountains behind

The founder’s role and the brand’s mission

Since 2023, Katarina Lehti has been building Lapland Cosmetics® in Lapland (Finland) as Founder/CEO and the lead formulator.

Her mission is to bring reindeer tallow back into modern natural skincare as a simple, trustworthy and fast form of complete nourishment for the skin – helping people with sensitive or dry skin feel and look better, naturally.

The balms from Lapland Cosmetics® are single-ingredient (pure reindeer fat + natural extracts), with no fillers or synthetics, produced with an emphasis on purity, safety and sustainability.

The brand openly communicates ingredient sourcing and testing, focuses on education, and builds a community of people discovering reindeer tallow as a true “treasure of the Arctic” for healthy skin.

What reindeer tallow and Nordic extracts are – and their benefits

Reindeer tallow – traditional skin protection

Reindeer tallow is a natural fat from the reindeer, traditionally used by the Sámi for generations to protect skin in harsh frost. Its composition is close to human skin lipids, so it absorbs easily, strengthens the barrier and protects against dryness and cracking.

It also contains many fatty acids that lock in moisture and help maintain suppleness. It is rich in vitamins A, E, D and K, which support skin renewal and protection. In short, reindeer tallow gives the skin “complete nourishment” for healthy firmness and elasticity.

Nordic berries full of antioxidants

Arctic berries such as cloudberry and lingonberry are among the Nordic “superfruits” packed with antioxidants and vitamins. Cloudberry contains twice as much vitamin C as an orange and a generous dose of vitamin E, helping to protect skin collagen from free radicals.

Seed oils from these fruits provide essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for hydration and soothing. These extracts also contain additional antioxidants and beta-carotene, which the skin can convert into vitamin A to support regeneration and a radiant look.

Birch and juniper extracts – pure regeneration

Birch bark contains betulin – a powerful anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and regenerative compound that supports skin healing, calms itching and helps restore the protective barrier.

This brings relief to dry or eczema-prone skin and helps prevent moisture loss. Juniper extract calms inflammation and, thanks to antibacterial properties, helps cleanse blemish-prone skin while avoiding over-drying.

Natural “superfood” for your skin

Reindeer tallow and Nordic extracts provide the skin with a unique cocktail of nutrients from nature. These ingredients act as superfood for the skin – nourishing it, protecting it from irritation and free radicals, and supporting regeneration. Studies suggest these components may benefit the skin (for example, CLA in reindeer fat may help reduce eczema). However, they should be seen as excellent support for skincare, not as a cure-all or a replacement for medical treatment.

Quality and safety come first

At Lapland Cosmetics, we prioritise the highest quality ingredients and product safety:

  • Clean origin: We source reindeer tallow (animal fat, not suitable for vegans) from the Lapland wilderness, where reindeer feed on lichens and mosses – meaning the fat contains no heavy metals or pesticides.

  • Gentle processing: We process the fat by slow melting and filtration without chemicals to preserve the maximum amount of active compounds.

  • Verified quality: Every balm is independently tested for quality and stability.

  • Natural preservation: Reindeer tallow is a stable fat (less prone to oxidation) and, thanks to antimicrobial extracts, does not require synthetic preservatives.

  • Suitable for sensitive skin: A simple formula minimises the risk of reactions. It’s important to consider individual allergies and consult a dermatologist if needed. The products are safe even for sensitive skin.

A woman’s hands with a body balm; one hand applying balm to the other, forest in the background.

Certifications and brand quality at Lapland Cosmetics®

Ethical sourcing of reindeer tallow

Lapland Cosmetics sources reindeer tallow from free-roaming reindeer in the pristine Lapland wilderness (without hormones or antibiotics). The raw material is processed in line with strict hygiene and ethical standards – exclusively in EU-certified food-grade facilities. Every batch is carefully tracked “from reindeer to the final laboratory report”, so quality is monitored at every step.

GMP manufacturing and thorough testing

Lapland Cosmetics produces its balms in line with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and strict international standards, ensuring consistent quality across all batches. Each delivery of raw tallow is first tested by the supplier, and every batch of finished balms is then verified by an independent accredited laboratory in Finland. Thanks to this double check, every product has confirmed purity, composition and safety – tests ensure it does not contain heavy metals, pesticides or microbes above permitted limits. The brand also openly shares test results with dermatologists and experts, making quality transparent and trustworthy.

Gentle processing and natural stability

Lapland Cosmetics balms have an exceptionally clean formula: they contain only 100% pure reindeer tallow enriched with a targeted Arctic extractno water, fillers, synthetics or preservatives. Processing is very gentle: the reindeer fat is purified only by low-temperature heating and filtration without chemicals, and, for example, birch bark is extracted using a modern method without toxic solvents. As a result, no impurities remain and active compounds are preserved to the maximum.

The balms are stable even without preservatives – they contain no water, so they do not spoil, and natural antimicrobial extracts (e.g. from elderberry, rosemary) and antioxidants such as vitamin E ensure a long shelf life without rancidity. The result is pure, safe skincare you can confidently use even on the most sensitive skin.

Why choose Lapland Cosmetics®: quality, purity, verified safety

A woman in Nordic nature applying Lapland Cosmetics balm to her hand – a moment of pure, natural skincare in a winter forest setting.

The natural richness of reindeer tallow and Nordic fruits

Reindeer tallow and Arctic botanical extracts are among the most concentrated sources of “nourishment for the skin”: they naturally provide essential lipids, vitamins, antioxidants (reindeer fat especially vitamins A, D, E, K; berries vitamins C and E) and protective anti-inflammatory compounds (e.g. birch betulin).

Lapland Cosmetics® offers them as single-ingredient balms (“pieces of Arctic nourishment”) without fillers, water or synthetics – simply 100% reindeer tallow enriched only with one carefully selected Arctic extract, which the skin easily recognises as natural nourishment.

What makes the difference in practice

The balms are produced in small batches in Finland using ethically sourced ingredients from Lapland, and every batch is independently tested in an accredited laboratory for purity, safety and declared content.

Thanks to high skin compatibility, reindeer tallow absorbs exceptionally well – you’ll feel fast relief from tightness, the skin softens and becomes more supple. At the same time, it creates a protective film that prevents wind and frost from drying the skin and supports the sealing of small cracks.

Lapland Cosmetics products are also very stable and long-lasting – a pure tallow base is less prone to oxidation (rancidity) and has a longer shelf life than typical creams when stored correctly. Each jar therefore represents a long-term, reliable source of nourishment for your skin.

For a more comprehensive effect, the brand also offers a mixed Arctic mini set, allowing you to alternate variants as needed (Arctic Berries for gentle nourishment, Juniper for balance in combination skin, Birch for intensive regeneration of dry areas). All ranges share controlled processing and two-step quality verification – from raw material to final test.

Why Lapland Cosmetics® products are unique

The key is controlled ingredient sourcing and rigorous testing. Reindeer tallow comes from free-roaming animals in pristine nature, processed using traditional methods under veterinary oversight – every step is traceable and documented.

Each batch of balms is then independently verified in a laboratory (approved to EU standards) to confirm purity, safety and the declared nutrient content of the product.

The supplier and manufacturer follow international standards (e.g. GMP and EU hygiene regulations), ensuring consistent quality across batches. Every ingredient has a traceable origin and meets defined limits (e.g. for metals, microbiology, etc.).

During processing, the brand uses gentle methods: reindeer fat is purified without high temperatures or chemicals, and birch bark is extracted using modern technology without toxic solvents – eliminating contamination risks (e.g. lead or solvent residues) associated with historic methods.

This helps preserve active compounds to the maximum and keeps the product exceptionally pure.

Lapland Cosmetics products – balms in elegant jars surrounded by Nordic fruits and herbs (blueberries, juniper, birch bark) on a light background.

Who are the experts at Lapland Cosmetics®

Katarina Lehti – Founder & Chief Formulator

The founder and heart of the brand

  • Leads research and product development, connecting traditional knowledge of reindeer tallow with modern science. She personally formulates every recipe and oversees testing – each balm is approved by her for effectiveness and safety.
  • Actively promotes education around Arctic skincare: she writes articles (e.g. about reindeer tallow as the “treasure of the Arctic”), appears on social media, and educates customers and professionals on the benefits of returning to natural care.

Internal quality specialist (cosmetic chemist)

  • The brand works with a certified cosmetic chemist who provides expert oversight of formulations. This internal advisor supports stability testing, microbiology and regulatory compliance to ensure every product is safe and effective even for the most sensitive skin.

External expert voices

  • Traditional Lapland knowledge (external consultations)
    • In product development, the brand also draws inspiration from local experts in herbs and traditional medicine in Lapland. While not part of the internal team, their generational experience with reindeer fat, herbs (juniper, resin and more) and berries has been a valuable source of know-how that Lapland Cosmetics has thoughtfully integrated into its modern products.
  • Independent media coverage
    • The story and concept of Lapland Cosmetics attracts attention in the natural skincare community – the brand has been featured on selected blogs and platforms focused on Nordic lifestyle. For example, Arctic Pure highlighted the authenticity and effectiveness of the balms with the fitting description “a piece of Arctic treasure for your skin”.

Lapland Cosmetics® is led by Katarina Lehti; the balms are single-ingredient (100% reindeer tallow + Arctic extracts) without fillers or synthetics, ingredients are sourced in Lapland from free-roaming reindeer and wild plants, and every batch undergoes two-step testing including verification by an independent laboratory to confirm purity and safety.

For the birch balm, the brand applies gentle extraction of betulin (without heat/solvents) to improve nutrient usability; the juniper balm contains natural essences without synthetic fragrances. This approach helps preserve active compounds and ensures maximum safety for sensitive skin. 

Lapland Cosmetics product family – jars of balms (Arctic Berries, Juniper, Birch) and lip balms arranged on an icy blue background with snowflakes; several creamy white balms in the foreground highlighting purity and rich texture.

The core idea behind Lapland Cosmetics® is to provide pure, traditional balms made from reindeer tallow and Nordic plants as easy-to-use, holistic skincare – with transparently verified purity and safety.
See for yourself.

Who Lapland Cosmetics® products are for

Dry & sensitive skin

Dry & sensitive skin

Natural skincare lovers

Natural skincare

Nordic lifestyle

Nordic style

Original gifts

Original gifts

Skincare enthusiasts

Skincare enthusiasts

Lapland Cosmetics® brand commitments

Commitment

Quality and authenticity

Commitment

Product sustainability

Commitment

Supporting customers’ wellbeing

Commitment

Transparent sourcing

Commitment

Innovation in development

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