Product Information

On craft, variance, and the nature of small-batch skincare

Last Updated: August 6, 2026.

Each SHEPHERD product is prepared in small batches by hand. What follows is a plainspoken explanation of what that means in practice—the variances, the care instructions, and the acknowledgments that come with choosing a product made this way.

By purchasing from SHEPHERD, you acknowledge the conditions described on this page. This page is incorporated into and governed by SHEPHERD's Terms of Service.

A Note on Small Batches

SHEPHERD products are made in limited quantities, using unrefined, whole-ingredient formulations. Every batch is poured, weighed, sealed, and inspected by hand. This is a deliberate choice. It is also the reason each jar carries the small, honest variances that distinguish a handmade product from one produced at industrial scale.

Scent, color, texture, and consistency may vary slightly from batch to batch. These variations are characteristic of natural, unrefined ingredients and should not be understood as defects.

Scent Variation

SHEPHERD's formulations feature whole-plant essential oils—Frankincense, Myrrh, and Spikenard—sourced from specific geographic origins. Because these are agricultural materials harvested from living trees and plants, their aromatic profiles shift subtly with season, climate, and harvest year. Frankincense from one harvest may carry a brighter citrus note; the next may lean deeper and more resinous. Myrrh may present more warmly in some batches and more earthen in others.

This is not inconsistency. This is the honest expression of the material. Products reformulated to eliminate such variation typically rely on synthetic fragrance or heavily processed extracts—a choice SHEPHERD has declined.

Color & Texture

Unrefined shea butter, a primary carrier in many of our formulations, varies naturally in color from ivory to soft gold depending on the harvest. The finished product will reflect this range. Minor shifts in hue, clarity, or surface finish are expected and do not indicate a defect.

Shea butter and other botanical carriers are temperature-sensitive. In warm conditions, products may appear softer or partially melted. In cool conditions, they may firm considerably. Both states are normal. If a product melts in transit during summer shipping or firms during cold weather, its efficacy is not affected; simply allow it to return to a moderate room temperature. The product may be gently warmed between the fingertips before application.

If a product arrives fully melted, allow it to solidify undisturbed on a level surface; a brief period of refrigeration—10-15 minutes—helps it set evenly. Shea butter that cools slowly may develop a fine, grainy texture as its natural fats recrystallize. This graininess is characteristic of unrefined shea rather than a sign of spoilage, and it dissolves on contact with the warmth of the skin. The surface may also set unevenly, with a slight depression, film, or mottling. None of these affect how the balm performs.

During warm months, we recommend retrieving deliveries promptly rather than allowing parcels to remain in direct sun, in mailboxes, or in vehicles.

Fill Weight

Products are filled by hand to the target weight stated on each product's packaging. Because small-batch fills rely on manual pouring and cooling, minor variance in fill weight is possible within reasonable production tolerance. SHEPHERD takes care to meet or exceed the stated weight, but minor deviations do not constitute defects or grounds for refund.

Headspace—the small amount of air visible between the product surface and the lid or cap—is intentional. It accommodates natural expansion and contraction during temperature changes and prevents overflow when the container is opened.

Expiration & Period After Opening

SHEPHERD packaging displays a PAO (Period After Opening) symbol—a small open-jar icon followed by a number and the letter "M" (for months). This indicates the suggested timeframe during which the product is considered at its best when stored and handled properly.

The specific PAO varies by product and formulation type. Oil-based balms and anhydrous (water-free) formulations typically carry longer PAO periods due to their inherent stability, while water-based or emulsion products carry shorter PAO periods due to the higher potential for microbial activity. The PAO printed on your product packaging is authoritative for that specific product.

Currently, SHEPHERD's Healing Balm carries a recommended Period After Opening of 24 months (24M), reflecting its anhydrous, oil-based formulation. Future SHEPHERD products will carry their own PAO indications appropriate to their specific formulation type, manufacturing process, and stability profile, as printed on the respective packaging.

Actual shelf life depends significantly on how the product is stored and handled:

• Properly stored products—kept in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, with the lid tightly closed and applied with clean fingers or a clean tool—may remain effective throughout or beyond the stated PAO.
• Products stored in warm, humid, or sunlit environments, or contaminated by repeated contact with unwashed hands, may degrade sooner than the stated PAO.

The PAO indication is a guideline based on the product's formulation type and industry-standard stability considerations. It is not a hard expiration date and is not a guarantee. SHEPHERD recommends discontinuing use if you observe significant changes in scent, color, or texture beyond the natural variances described above.

Batch Numbers & Traceability

Each SHEPHERD product box is labeled with a batch number. This enables us to identify the specific batch any customer has received, which supports quality control, ingredient traceability, and any future inquiries you may have about your product. We recommend retaining this information for your records. If you have a concern or question about a specific product, please reference the batch number when contacting us at support@shepherdskin.com.

Storage Recommendations

To preserve the integrity of your SHEPHERD product:

• Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources
• Keep the lid or cap tightly closed when not in use
• Apply with clean, dry fingers or a clean tool to prevent contamination
• Avoid storing in bathrooms with persistent high humidity or temperature fluctuations (consider a bedroom drawer or vanity instead)
• Do not store in direct contact with water

Ingredient Sourcing & Formulation Updates

SHEPHERD sources its ingredients from carefully selected suppliers chosen for quality, origin authenticity, and ethical practices. In the event that a sourcing partner becomes unavailable, SHEPHERD reserves the right to substitute suppliers of equivalent or superior quality. Any such substitution will be made with the intention of preserving the character and integrity of the product. Substitutions of equivalent quality do not constitute a material change to the product.

SHEPHERD may update formulations or ingredient sources from time to time, and such updates will be reflected on future product packaging and on the Site. The ingredient list (INCI) printed on your product packaging is authoritative. In the event of any discrepancy between the ingredient list on the Site and the ingredient list on the product packaging you receive, the packaging list governs.

Ingredient lists on product packaging reflect the current formulation. SHEPHERD does not disclose precise ingredient percentages, sourcing specifications, or manufacturing processes, as these constitute proprietary trade secrets.

A Note on Natural Ingredients

Because SHEPHERD's formulations rely on naturally derived, minimally processed materials, individual sensitivities and reactions are possible even when ingredients are well tolerated in isolation. Prior to first use, SHEPHERD recommends performing a patch test on the inner forearm and waiting 24 hours to observe any reaction.

SHEPHERD products are intended for application to intact, healthy skin. Do not apply to broken, bleeding, severely compromised, or post-procedural skin unless directed by a qualified healthcare professional. If you have a compromised skin barrier, active dermatological condition, or have recently undergone a cosmetic procedure such as microneedling, chemical peels, laser treatments, or dermabrasion, please consult a qualified professional before use.

If you are pregnant, nursing, under the care of a healthcare provider, or have known sensitivities to essential oils, botanical extracts, or tree resins, please consult a qualified healthcare professional before use. SHEPHERD makes no representations regarding suitability for use during pregnancy, nursing, or in connection with any medical condition.

Use With Other Products

SHEPHERD products may be used as part of a broader skincare routine. However, skincare products from any brand — including those containing active ingredients such as retinoids, exfoliating acids, vitamin C, or other potent actives — can interact with one another, and combining multiple products may increase the likelihood of irritation, sensitivity, or other reactions, even when each product is well tolerated on its own.

You are responsible for determining how SHEPHERD products fit within your existing routine. We recommend introducing any new product individually, performing a patch test before combining products, and discontinuing use if irritation occurs. If you use prescription topicals or are under the care of a dermatologist or other healthcare professional, please consult them before incorporating new products into your regimen.

SHEPHERD is not responsible for reactions arising from the combination or layering of its products with other products, formulations, or treatments.

Children & Pets

Keep SHEPHERD products out of reach of children and animals. Essential oils may be harmful if ingested, and can also transfer to an animal through contact with treated skin. Tolerance for essential oils varies considerably between species. Cats are the most frequently documented example: they metabolize certain terpenes differently than humans and other animals, and the Boswellia (frankincense), Commiphora (myrrh), and Nardostachys (spikenard) families present in SHEPHERD formulations fall within that concern.

SHEPHERD cannot evaluate suitability for any individual animal. If you share your home with pets of any kind, please consult a veterinary professional regarding appropriate use and storage, and avoid direct contact between treated skin and your animals until the product has fully absorbed.

No Medical Claims

Nothing on this page constitutes a medical claim. Descriptions of SHEPHERD products, including references to ingredients historically valued in cosmetic and wellness traditions, refer to cosmetic properties only. SHEPHERD products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. For medical questions or concerns, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

By Purchasing a SHEPHERD Product

You acknowledge and accept that:

• SHEPHERD products are made in small batches and may exhibit natural variations in scent, color, texture, and consistency
• Fill weights may vary slightly within reasonable production tolerance relative to the weight stated on the product packaging
• The Period After Opening (PAO) marking is a guideline specific to each product's formulation; actual shelf life depends on storage and handling, and the PAO printed on the product packaging is authoritative
• Natural variances, temperature-related texture changes, and minor aesthetic differences between batches are not defects and are not grounds for return, refund, or chargeback, except as required by applicable law
• The ingredient list on your product packaging is authoritative in the event of any discrepancy with the Site
• You are responsible for reviewing ingredient information, performing a patch test prior to first use, and using the product only on intact, healthy skin
• You are responsible for how you combine or layer SHEPHERD products with other skincare products, and SHEPHERD is not responsible for reactions resulting from such combinations
• You will keep SHEPHERD products out of reach of children and pets, and will consult appropriate professionals regarding any medical, dermatological, or veterinary concerns

Questions

If you have questions about a specific batch, a product concern, or ingredient information, we invite you to reach us at support@shepherdskin.com. Every inquiry is read and addressed with care.

This Product Information page is incorporated into and governed by SHEPHERD's Terms of Service.