Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely! Every Mom Magic Herbals product is personally formulated and handcrafted by me, Jackie, in small batches right here in La Broquerie, Manitoba.

From researching and developing each recipe to preparing herbal infusions, creating nourishing balms, and making our cold-process soaps, I’m hands-on through every step of the process.

Nothing is mass-produced. Each product is thoughtfully created with care, attention to detail, and a genuine passion for what I do.

When you purchase from Mom Magic Herbals, you’re getting something I’ve personally created and made—not something manufactured elsewhere with my label on it.

We’re a small, family-run business proudly based in La Broquerie, Manitoba, Canada, just southeast of Winnipeg.

What began as one mom’s determination to find better skincare options for her family has grown into a passion for traditional ingredients, herbal skincare, and handcrafted soapmaking.

Every product is personally made right here in Manitoba.

You can shop online or find us at various markets and events throughout the province.

We’re incredibly grateful for every customer who supports our little business!

Beef tallow is rendered beef fat that has been purified and used for generations in traditional skincare and soapmaking.

Tallow contains a combination of fatty acids, including oleic, stearic, and palmitic acids, that make it a wonderfully rich moisturizing ingredient.

We love working with tallow because it’s simple, versatile, and makes beautiful, nourishing balms and long-lasting handmade soaps.

Tallow also has a long history of practical use, from traditional soapmaking to skincare preparations.

At Mom Magic Herbals, we believe that sometimes the simplest ingredients make the loveliest products.

Not all beef fat is the same!

At Mom Magic Herbals, we exclusively use beef suet to make our tallow, rather than ordinary beef fat trimmings.

Suet is the firm, white fat found primarily around a cow’s kidneys and loins. Unlike regular trim fat, which comes from various parts of the animal, suet has a naturally firmer texture and a more consistent fat composition.

We choose suet for several reasons:

• Consistent quality: Suet’s relatively uniform composition helps us create consistent products from batch to batch.
• Milder scent: When carefully rendered, suet often produces tallow with a milder aroma than tallow made from mixed fat trimmings.
• Beautiful texture: Suet produces a firm, rich tallow that works wonderfully in our handcrafted balms and soaps.
• Thoughtful ingredient selection: By choosing a specific type of fat rather than a mixture of trimmings, we have greater control over the ingredients going into our formulations.

Regular beef fat trimmings can certainly produce good tallow, but we prefer the consistency and characteristics of suet.

It’s one of the little details that matters to us. We believe that choosing quality ingredients from the very beginning helps us create products we’re proud to share with your family.

We’re very particular about the ingredients we use, especially when it comes to our tallow!

All of our beef suet comes from Manitoba cattle and is sourced through a local Manitoba butcher that is licensed and inspected.

The suet we purchase is food-grade, meaning it is sourced and handled for food use through an inspected meat-processing operation.

We exclusively use this carefully selected fat rather than ordinary mixed beef trimmings.

Supporting local agriculture and working with trusted Manitoba suppliers is something we’re proud of.

For us, knowing where our ingredients come from is just as important as knowing what goes into our finished products.

At Mom Magic Herbals, we believe in transparency, and we think it’s important to understand how cattle are actually raised.

With my background in farming and agriculture, I’m familiar with the traditional cattle-raising practices here in Manitoba.

Many people don’t realize that most Canadian beef cattle spend a large portion of their lives eating grass and other forage. During our growing season, cattle typically graze on pasture, while hay and other forage provide nutrition throughout Manitoba’s long winters.

Many cattle are then transitioned to a grain-based diet during their final finishing stage. This means they’ve spent much of their lives eating grass and forage, even though they aren’t necessarily classified as 100% grass-fed and grass-finished.

All the suet used at Mom Magic Herbals comes from Manitoba cattle, sourced through a local, licensed and inspected Manitoba butcher. Our suet is food-grade, and we exclusively use this carefully selected fat rather than ordinary beef fat trimmings.

While we cannot guarantee that every animal was exclusively grass-fed and grass-finished, we don’t believe it’s necessary to make that claim to create a beautiful skincare product.

Although cattle feeding practices can influence the fatty acid composition of tallow, there isn’t sufficient scientific evidence demonstrating that exclusively grass-finished tallow provides superior results when applied to the skin.

Instead, we focus on what matters to us: quality ingredients, trusted local sourcing, careful rendering, and thoughtfully formulated skincare products.

We’re proud to support Manitoba agriculture and to know where our most important ingredient comes from.

We focus on simple, thoughtfully chosen ingredients, including beef suet tallow, botanical oils, herbs, and other ingredients selected for their purpose in each formulation.

We believe in being transparent about what goes into our products so you can make informed choices about what you’re putting on your skin.

Our recipes vary depending on the product, so we always encourage customers to review individual ingredient lists.

For us, it’s about choosing ingredients thoughtfully rather than simply relying on a label that says “natural.”

Herbal-infused oils are created by allowing dried herbs to steep in carrier oils over time, transferring some of the plant’s oil-soluble compounds into the oil.

We love working with traditional botanicals such as calendula, chamomile, plantain, and other carefully selected herbs.

Many of these plants have long histories of use in traditional skincare preparations, and herbal infusions allow us to incorporate them into our formulations.

It’s one of my favourite parts of the process—combining my love of plants, agriculture, and traditional ingredients with the creativity of developing skincare products.

Our herbal balms are formulated without essential oils. We prefer to work with carefully selected herbal infusions and nourishing carrier oils.

Some of our handmade soaps contain added fragrance or essential oils, while others are made without added scent.

We encourage customers to review individual product descriptions and ingredient lists, particularly if they have fragrance sensitivities or allergies.

Preservation needs depend on the type of product and its ingredients.

Many traditional tallow balms and herbal oils are made without added water. Water-free products generally have different preservation requirements than water-based creams and lotions.

However, being water-free doesn’t mean a product will last forever!

Natural oils and fats can eventually oxidize or become rancid, and introducing moisture during use can create additional concerns.

We carefully consider the ingredients and intended use of each formulation, and we encourage customers to check individual product ingredient lists.

If you have questions about a particular product, we’re happy to help.

Our tallow-based products are not vegan, as beef tallow is an animal-derived ingredient.

We believe in making thoughtful use of traditional ingredients and being transparent about what goes into our products.

If you’re looking for products without animal-derived ingredients, please contact us so we can help you review our available formulations.

We offer several balms, each developed with a different purpose in mind.

• All Purpose Repair Balm: A versatile everyday moisturizer for areas needing a little extra care.
• Itch Relief Balm: Created for skin that feels itchy or uncomfortable.
• Rash Rescue Balm: A gentle-care option developed with little ones in mind.
• Paw Protect Balm: Made for caring for your furry friend’s paws.
• Lip Rescue Balm: A convenient balm to help moisturize and soften dry lips.

If you’re unsure which product might best suit your needs, send us a message! We’re always happy to help you compare your options.

Great question!

Our pure rendered beef suet tallow is a single-ingredient product, without the additional carrier oils and herbal infusions found in our formulated balms.

Our skincare balms, on the other hand, are carefully developed recipes that combine tallow with other ingredients selected for their moisturizing and skin-conditioning properties.

These formulations allow us to create products with different textures, consistencies, and intended uses.

Both begin with our carefully selected Manitoba beef suet, but they’re designed to serve different purposes.

Be sure to check each product’s description for its intended use and instructions.

Many of our formulations are created with simplicity and gentle skincare in mind.

However, everyone’s skin is different, and even natural ingredients can cause sensitivities or allergic reactions.

We recommend reviewing the full ingredient list and performing a small patch test before using any new skincare product.

If you have significant allergies, a diagnosed skin condition, or ongoing irritation, it’s best to consult a healthcare professional before introducing new products.

Tallow balms can be used as facial moisturizers by people whose skin tolerates them well.

Because tallow-based balms are naturally rich, a little goes a long way!

Start with a small amount, warm it between your fingertips, and gently massage it into your skin.

How quickly a balm absorbs depends on your skin, how much you apply, and the other ingredients in the formulation.

If you have acne-prone or particularly sensitive skin, we recommend patch testing first.

We understand how important it is to be thoughtful about what goes on little ones’ skin!

Our Rash Rescue Balm was developed with gentle skincare for little ones in mind, but age suitability depends on the specific product and its ingredients.

Babies and young children can have particularly sensitive skin, and even natural ingredients may cause irritation or allergic reactions.

We recommend reviewing ingredient lists carefully and consulting your child’s healthcare professional before introducing a new product, particularly for infants, persistent rashes, or broken skin.

If you’re unsure about a particular formulation, please get in touch.

Our products are created for skincare and moisturizing, not as medications or cures for medical conditions.

While many people enjoy using rich balms to help moisturize dry or uncomfortable skin, individual experiences can vary.

For conditions such as eczema or psoriasis, we recommend following your healthcare provider’s advice and using appropriate medical treatment when needed.

We love our furry family members, too!

Our Paw Protect Balm was created specifically with paw care in mind, helping moisturize and condition dry paw pads.

However, not every skincare ingredient that is suitable for people is appropriate for animals.

We recommend using only products specifically intended for pets and following their directions carefully.

If your pet has irritated, injured, or unusually sensitive paws, consult your veterinarian before applying a new product.

Our handmade soaps are created using the traditional cold-process method, where oils and fats react with lye through a process called saponification.

Cold-process soapmaking naturally produces glycerin, which remains in the finished soap and contributes to its skin-conditioning properties.

Unlike many commercially manufactured cleansing bars, our soaps are made in small batches using carefully selected ingredients and traditional soapmaking techniques.

It’s also a wonderfully creative process! From choosing ingredients to developing individual recipes, I love that each soap can have its own unique character.

Yes, lye is necessary to make true soap, including traditional tallow soap.

During soapmaking, the lye reacts with oils and fats through a chemical process called saponification.

In properly formulated and correctly made soap, the lye is consumed during this reaction, leaving finished soap rather than free caustic lye.

After saponification, our cold-process soaps are also given time to cure, allowing excess moisture to evaporate and helping create a harder, longer-lasting bar.

The secret is keeping your soap dry between uses!

We recommend placing your bar on a well-draining soap dish and keeping it out of standing water.

Our sisal soap bags are another handy option. They can help you use smaller soap pieces while providing a little gentle exfoliation.

With proper care, a handmade soap bar can last surprisingly well.

Our products generally have a shelf life of 6 to 18 months when stored at room temperature, depending on the specific product and its ingredients.

Because our balms, herbal oils, and handmade soaps contain different formulations, their expected shelf lives can vary.

To help keep your products at their best, we recommend storing them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and excessive heat.

Always use clean, dry hands when applying balms from a container, and avoid introducing moisture into the product.

If a product develops an unusual or rancid smell, shows signs of mould, or otherwise appears spoiled, discontinue use.

If you’re ever unsure about the freshness of a particular product, please reach out. We’re always happy to help!

Don’t panic! Natural tallow can sometimes develop a grainy texture, particularly after experiencing temperature fluctuations.

Tallow contains several different fatty acids, which can crystallize at different temperatures.

If a balm melts or softens in warm conditions and then cools slowly, some of those fats can form tiny crystals, creating a grainy or slightly uneven texture.

This is especially relevant during hot summer weather or when products experience temperature changes during shipping.

A grainy texture doesn’t necessarily mean your balm has gone bad! In many cases, it’s simply a natural characteristic of the fats.

While the appearance or feel may change, the moisturizing ingredients are still present.

If you’re unsure whether a change is normal, please contact us. We’re happy to help you figure it out.

That’s part of the beauty of handmade products!

Every Mom Magic Herbals product is made in small batches, and slight variations in colour, texture, and appearance can occur.

Natural ingredients, particularly herbal infusions, can vary slightly from batch to batch. Handmade soaps may also feature subtle differences in their patterns and appearance.

These little variations are a reminder that your product was made by hand, not produced on an industrial assembly line.

Of course, if something seems genuinely wrong with your product, please let us know.

Absolutely!

You can browse our products and place your order right here on our website.

We love meeting customers at local markets, but shopping online makes it easy to enjoy a little Mom Magic even when you can’t visit us in person.

We know you’re excited to receive your Mom Magic goodies, and we’ll do our best to get them on their way as quickly as possible!

Orders are typically processed within 2–5 days, plus shipping time.

As a small, family-run business, we personally prepare and pack orders with care.

During particularly busy periods, such as holidays or large market events, processing may occasionally take a little longer.

Please remember that shipping transit times are separate from our processing times and can vary depending on your location and the carrier.

If you need an order for a special occasion or deadline, please contact us before purchasing so we can discuss the available options.

Most orders are shipped through Canada Post using tracked parcel services, so you can follow your package as it makes its way to you.

Occasionally, we may use another carrier when necessary or when a different shipping option is better suited to your order.

Shipping costs and delivery times depend on your location and the available shipping services.

Because we want every customer to have a wonderful experience with Mom Magic Herbals, we put a great deal of care into everything we make.

As a general rule, we do not accept returns or exchanges. However, we understand that sometimes things don’t go as expected.

If there’s genuinely something wrong with a product you’ve received, we absolutely want to hear about it!

Please reach out and let us know what happened. We’ll review the situation and do our very best to make things right.

We’re a small, family-run business, and your trust and satisfaction mean a great deal to us. We stand behind the care and effort that goes into every product we make.

Our policy does not limit any rights you may have under applicable consumer-protection laws.

We’re proudly based in La Broquerie, Manitoba!

If you’re nearby and would prefer to arrange local pickup rather than shipping, please contact us to ask about availability before placing your order.

We’ll be happy to discuss whether a pickup arrangement is possible.

Handcrafted skincare products and soaps can make wonderful gifts for birthdays, holidays, teacher appreciation, and other special occasions.

Our product selection and gift options may vary throughout the year.

If you’re interested in putting together a thoughtful gift featuring Mom Magic Herbals products, please get in touch to discuss what’s currently available.

Interested in carrying Mom Magic Herbals products in your shop?

We love hearing from other businesses that share our appreciation for thoughtfully handcrafted products.

Please reach out with some information about your business, the products you’re interested in, and the quantities you have in mind.

We’ll be happy to discuss whether a wholesale arrangement would be a good fit.

If you’re located outside Canada and interested in purchasing our products, please contact us before placing an order.

International shipping availability can depend on the destination, carrier requirements, and applicable customs or import restrictions.

We’re happy to explore the available options with you.