The answers to all your questions
The cream, and why is it made that way?
Why RAAE?
Because skincare has become too complicated and synthetic. We do the opposite. Skincare made from what nature has already given us. No emulsifiers. No preservatives. No fillers. No synthetic fragrance. Only fats your skin recognizes and can use: tallow and jojoba oil. The tallow comes from Danish, grass-fed cows — from farmers we know. We make everything by hand. From melting and filtering the tallow to mixing the ingredients, filling the jars, applying labels, and shipping out the packages. We show the entire process. Skincare doesn't have to be complicated.
Why isn't there any water in?
Because water is the reason for everything else. A regular cream is about 70% water. Water and oil do not mix on their own, so emulsifiers must be added to hold it together. And emulsifiers are made to dissolve oil — they simply cannot distinguish between the oil in the cream and the oil in your skin barrier. The barrier that is supposed to keep your skin soft and moisturized. The water must also be kept free of bacteria. Therefore, preservatives. And fillers and thickeners must be added so that the rest feels like a cream — substances your skin does not need. If you take the water out, there is suddenly nothing to hold together, keep fresh, or fill up. All that is left are the oils that the skin can actually use. That is the whole reason why the ingredient list is so short.
Does it even add moisture then?
Not in the way you're used to. A water-based cream adds water, which evaporates again within an hour — taking some of the skin's own moisture with it. RAAE does not add water. It adds the lipids that the barrier is made of, so the skin gets better at retaining the moisture it already has. That is why the difference builds up over weeks instead of disappearing during the day.
96% say that their skin retains moisture better after using RAAE
Isn't it just grease that you rub on your face?
Yes. And that is exactly the point.
Your skin barrier is made of lipids. They are what make the skin tight, and they are what hot water, soap, wind, and cold break down every single day. With age, the skin also produces fewer of them itself.
Sebum consists of some of the same lipids — palmitic acid, stearic acid, and oleic acid. Therefore, the skin recognizes them and can build with them, instead of them just sitting on top and waiting to be washed off.
Ingredient list (the difference between the variants)
1) Neutral variant
Consists of only two ingredients
- Danish grass-fed tallow.
The same fatty acids that your skin itself is made of. Absorbs into the barrier instead of sitting on top.
- Organic cold-pressed jojoba oil.
Absorbs quickly, balances the skin's oil production and makes the cream easy to spread.
2) Lavender & Bergamot
The same two ingredients, plus natural essential oils for the scent:
- Organic lavender oil.
Mild, soothing scent.
- Organic bergamot oil.
A fresh, light touch.
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That's the whole list.
No water. No emulsifiers. No preservatives. No synthetic fragrance, color or fillers.
All ingredients are certified organic*
Why only two ingredients?
Because no more are needed. Most creams have long ingredient lists because they contain water. Water requires emulsifiers, preservatives, and thickeners, and you quickly end up with thirty ingredients, most of which do nothing for the skin — and some of which actually work against it. Without water, there is nothing to hold together. So the list stays short by itself:
Neutral: Danish grass-fed tallow and organic cold-pressed jojoba oil.
Lavender & Bergamot: the same, plus essential oils of lavender and bergamot.
All ingredients are certified organic. You can read the entire list and understand every single word.
What is the difference between Neutral and Lavender & Bergamot?
Just the scent. The cream is the same.
Neutral has a mild, natural scent of the fat itself.
Lavender & Bergamot contains added essential oils of lavender and bergamot and smells mildly of just that. Fresh, but not overpowering.
Why are there more than four ingredients listed on the label for Lavender & Bergamot?
Nothing has been added except lavender and bergamot oils. The rest is mandatory declaration. When a cream is scented, it must be declared as "parfum" — even when the scent comes exclusively from completely natural essential oils. Then the fragrance substances that occur naturally in the oils must be listed separately. This is a requirement, not an option. The names after "parfum" are therefore not ingredients we have put in. They are substances that occur naturally in the two oils. The cream contains four things: tallow, jojoba oil, lavender oil, and bergamot oil. No synthetic perfume, no additives.
Is it vegan?
No. Tallow is fat from cattle.
It is a byproduct of food production — without a use for it, it would be discarded. All the tallow we use comes from cattle that have lived a good life.
How do you use it?
How much do I need?
Less than you think. Take so little that you almost think it’s not enough, and see how far it goes. If you need more, you can always take a little more. No water evaporates, and there’s a limit to how much your skin can absorb at once. What it can’t absorb stays on the surface—and that’s when it feels greasy. Almost everyone is surprised by how little it takes. And as the barrier becomes stronger, you need less and less.
Why is it solid and not liquid?
Because there is no water in it. It is the water that makes a cream fluid. Tallow is a solid fat at room temperature, so the cream is solid when you open the jar. It melts at body temperature in a few seconds. That is also why it is so rich.
How do I apply it?
Take a small amount on a clean, dry finger and rub it between your fingertips for a few seconds. The oils melt with body heat, making it easy to spread. Massage it in gently until absorbed. If it is difficult to spread, it is almost always because you have taken too much or because it has not been warmed up first.
Should the skin be moist?
It is not a requirement, but it absorbs better. If you have just washed your face or had a shower, pat the skin with the towel instead of drying it completely, and apply before the skin is completely dry. Damp, not wet.
Morning, evening, or both?
It varies from person to person. If your skin absorbs it quickly, you can easily use it several times a day. If your skin needs time to get used to it, start with once a day—preferably in the evening.
Should I still use serum, oil, or something else?
It's up to you. Many end up using fewer products, either because the cream covers what they previously used multiple products for, or as a conscious choice. If you use something else, let RAAE be the final layer. It sits on top and locks in what's underneath.
95% have replaced one or more products in their routine
It feels too greasy on my skin. What should I do?
Halve the amount. That almost always solves the problem. Continue using half the amount for at least a week to give your skin time to adjust. You can also stick to using it in the evening.
Can I use the same cream for my face, body, and feet?
Yes, the cream is made to be used anywhere on the body, whether it is on the face, hands, elbows, body, or feet.
We know it can feel a bit unusual. Most of us have been taught that you need one cream for the face, another for the hands, and a third for the feet. But the skin is essentially the same organ from head to toe, and it needs the same things: oils and moisture that resemble the skin's own. That is why RAAE consists of only a few pure ingredients that the skin recognizes, and it can be used wherever your skin needs it.
For us, it is also a relief. One tub in your bag, in the bathroom, or by your bed that covers everything. Fewer products, less to think about, and more time to feel what your skin needs.
That being said, everyone's skin is different. Some areas of the body may need a thicker layer, e.g., dry heels and elbows, while a thin layer is enough for the face. Experiment, and feel free to start with a small amount on a smaller area if you have sensitive skin.
Listen to your skin, and find the amount and routine that suits you.
Different skin types and RAAE
Does it work on my skin type?
Yes. Most skincare products are made for one skin type because they try to correct something: less oil, more moisture, fewer blemishes. That requires active ingredients, and active ingredients are not suitable for everyone. RAAE corrects nothing. It provides the lipids that all skin types have in their barrier — dry or oily, young or mature. That is why it does not need to be adapted.
Can I use it if I have dry or irritated skin?
Yes. This is where the cream is particularly good. Dry skin is rarely a matter of you not providing enough moisture. It is a matter of the barrier not being able to retain the moisture the skin already has. The barrier is made of lipids, and when it is weakened, the moisture leaks out from within — no matter how much you apply from the outside. That is why a water-based cream can feel right for an hour and then be gone again. It provides water, which evaporates, and the emulsifier that held the cream together is left behind in the skin, dissolving a little more of the layer that was supposed to retain the moisture. RAAE does not provide water. It provides the lipids that the barrier is made of, so the skin becomes denser and better at retaining its own moisture. If the skin is also irritated, there is nothing in the cream to react to: no emulsifiers, no preservatives, no synthetic fragrance.
96% of those with dry skin experienced a significant improvement
Can I use it if I have sensitive or red skin?
Yes. It is typically not the oils that sensitive skin reacts to — it is emulsifiers, preservatives, and synthetic fragrances. If you have known allergies or very reactive skin, try it in a small area first.
Everyone with sensitive skin in our customer survey says that they tolerate it well.
Can I use it if I have eczema or psoriasis?
We do not claim that the cream treats skin conditions. What it does is supply the lipids that the barrier is made of, without emulsifiers, preservatives, or synthetic fragrances that can often cause irritation. Many of our customers use it for that very reason. If you are receiving treatment, talk to your doctor before changing anything.
Can I use it if I have sensitive skin or acne?
Yes. It may sound wrong to apply oil to unwashed skin, but it is the same oils that your skin produces itself—not mineral oil or silicone sitting on top.
Start by using it in the evening, and use a small amount. If you are unsure, try it on a small area first for a week.
Does it clog pores, and does the skin become greasy?
No. The creams that have made your skin greasy throughout the day are typically water-based. The water evaporates, and what is left behind — emulsifiers, fillers, and refined oils — sits on the surface. There is no water here, and nothing left behind. The rest is a matter of quantity. What cannot be absorbed stays on the surface, and that is what feels greasy. Use less than you think.
94% say that it absorbs without feeling greasy
Why does my skin feel different during the first few weeks?
Because it has become accustomed to something that is fundamentally different. If your skin has spent years using water-based creams with emulsifiers and synthetic additives, it will need time to figure out what it is getting instead. The first few weeks may therefore feel unfamiliar. This is not a sign that something is wrong. It is your skin beginning to work with something it can use itself, instead of something it has to tolerate.
How long does it take before I notice something?
Some notice a difference within a few days. For others, it happens more gradually. Your skin is constantly renewing itself, and a skin cycle takes around 28 days. It is during this process that the new lipids are incorporated into the barrier. It cannot go any faster — that is how the skin is built. Therefore, real, lasting changes rarely happen overnight.
Talgen, the cows and the farm
Why tallow?
Because it resembles the lipids that the skin itself is made of. Your skin barrier is built of lipids. Sebum consists of some of the same. Palmitic acid, stearic acid and oleic acid. That is why the skin recognizes it and can use it to build with, instead of it just sitting on top. Sebum has been used for thousands of years. It didn't disappear because something better came along, but because water and mineral oil were cheaper to make cream out of on a large scale.
What does the jojoba oil do in the cream?
It makes the cream easier to spread, and it absorbs quickly. Jojoba oil is technically not an oil, but a liquid wax, and it also resembles the skin's sebum more than anything else. It is cold-pressed and organic, and it is there because it does something for the skin — not to dilute or fill it up.
What is tallow, and why do you only use it?
Flank fat is the pure, solid fat found around the kidneys. It is the mildest and purest part of the animal. That is why the cream is light in color and has a mild, natural scent rather than smelling like tallow. Many tallow products are made from mixed trimmings fat because there is much more of it and it is therefore cheaper. We only use flank fat.
Is the tallow bleached or chemically processed?
No. We do not use chemical processing, only time and heat. We slowly melt the fat and filter it. That is the entire process. Industrial tallow is often bleached and deodorized, so the color and scent become completely uniform from batch to batch. We do not do that. That is why the color may vary slightly from batch to batch.
Where does tallow come from?
A large part comes from Chris Hedeager. He has cows at Ølgod in West Jutland and runs his farm according to biodynamic principles. In addition, we collaborate with other organic farms around Denmark, where we have personally visited to see how the cows are doing.
How are the cows doing?
In summer, Chris moves the cows to fresh grass every single day. So they always graze on clean, uneaten grass — and the patch they have just left gets peace to grow back. The grass has time to grow deeper roots, the soil holds water better, and the field recovers instead of being worn down. In winter, they get hay. That is the difficult way to do it. Hay must be mown, dried, and brought home in the right week, and there are no shortcuts if the weather won't cooperate. It would have been easier to feed them concentrate — but then the cows would eat something other than grass half the year. Because we know that what the cow eats and how it feels ends up in the fat.
Is the tallow organic?
Yes. The tallow comes from organic, grass-fed cows. All other ingredients are also certified organic.
Are the animals slaughtered solely to make cream?
No. Tallow is a byproduct of food production. Without a use for it, it would be discarded. Thus, we help ensure that nothing else goes to waste.
What is the difference between RAAE and other tallow creams?
The origin, processing, scent, and consistency. Most tallow products are hard and grainy and must be massaged in for a long time before they spread. Ours is whipped, so it is silky soft and easy to spread, and it melts at body temperature. The scent is mild and natural because we only use beef tallow and never bleach or deodorize. Unlike many manufacturers, we only use time and low heat to melt and filter the tallow. No chemical processes. And we can say exactly where the tallow comes from. Very few can. Of the customers in our survey who had tried other tallow products first, most highlight the origin, scent, consistency, and that we are transparent throughout the process
How it is made and tested
Who makes it?
I do. My name is Nikolaj, and I have made every single cream since RAAE started. It is made in our own production facility here in Denmark. From melting and filtering the fat to filling the jars, applying the labels, and shipping them out — it is all done by hand. This also means that we can only make so much at a time. That is why we sometimes run out. In return, there is not a single jar that I haven't handled myself.
How large is a batch?
Small. We only make what we can manage, and we don't make more at a time than we can keep an eye on. That is why the stock sometimes runs out. For the same reason, the cream sold out six times in under a year.
Are the production and products approved and registered?
Yes. We manufacture in accordance with the EU Cosmetics Regulation and have also chosen to become certified to ISO 22716 — the international GMP standard for cosmetics, which involves annual audits of production, processes, and documentation. All products are registered in the EU's common product database, where they have been reviewed by an independent safety assessor prior to registration.
Is the cream tested?
Yes. Each batch is tested for a number of parameters, including purity and heavy metals, at an accredited laboratory.
Why do two glasses not look exactly the same?
Because the tallow is unbleached, and because each cream is filled by hand. The color may vary slightly because the tallow does not come from exactly the same cow, and because the cows eat slightly different things depending on the season. This does not affect the quality or effectiveness.
There are very small lumps in my cream. What are they?
Although it doesn't happen very often, tallow is a natural fat that can crystallize if it has been cold and then warm again—for example, during winter transport. The cream is perfectly fine. Just warm it up between your fingers as usual, and it will disappear.
Can I see the production?
Yes. We film most of it and post it on Instagram.
Shelf life and storage
How long does the cream last?
Unopened: 30 months.
After opening, it stays fresh for up to 6 months if stored properly.
How can it keep without preservation?
Bacteria and mold need water to grow. There is no water in the cream, so there is nothing for them to grow in. Preservatives are not something you add just to be safe. They are something you have to add when you have put water in. We have not put water in.
What affects the cream over time?
A completely natural process is the very slow breakdown of fats, called oxidation. Four things can make it happen faster than it otherwise would:
Heat. Higher temperatures speed up the process.
Oxygen. The more the cream is exposed to air, the faster it breaks down.
Light. UV light causes it to degrade.
Moisture. Water and dirty fingers can introduce bacteria to the jar.
None of these are dangerous, and none of them happen overnight. But they can affect the scent and consistency over time, and they are easy to avoid.
How do I store it best?
Keep away from sun and heat. Store it in a place where the jar is not in direct light or right next to a heat source.
Close the lid completely. Every single time. It is the simplest thing you can do, and it protects against air and moisture at the same time.
Clean, dry fingers. If you get water into the jar, you negate exactly what makes the cream unnecessary to preserve.
If you do these three things, your cream will stay fresh for up to 6 months after opening.
Should it be kept in the refrigerator?
No. Room temperature and a dry place are sufficient. If you have bought many jars, you can keep the unopened ones in the refrigerator, so they will last even longer.
Why is it firmer or softer sometimes?
Tallow is a natural fat. It becomes softer in warmth and harder in the cold. This does not affect the quality or effectiveness, only how much you need to warm it between your fingers before it spreads.
Can I take it in my bag or on a trip?
Yes. The glass is sealed, and a couple of weeks on the go won't hurt. Just avoid leaving it in a hot car or in direct sunlight.
Price, quantity and how long one cream lasts
How long does one glass last?
Approximately 6-8 weeks with daily use on the face and neck. It lasts longer than most people expect because there is no water in it. You need to use far less than you are used to.
Isn't it expensive?
The cream is very rich, so one jar goes a long way. But the price isn't what the jar costs — it's what it replaces. Most people use it instead of both day and night cream, and many are also cutting out serums, facial oils, and other products.
95% have replaced multiple products in their routine with RAAE
Why does it cost what it does?
Because quality ingredients and ethical production cost money. The tallow comes from farms committed to ensuring the cows live well. We use only beef tallow, process it without chemicals, and neither bleach nor deodorize it. All our ingredients are organic. And everything is made, filled and packaged by hand in small batches. We could make it cheaper. We would just have to make it differently. None of those changes are dangerous, and none of them happen overnight. But they can affect the scent and consistency over time, and they are easy to avoid.
How do I store it best?
Keep away from sun and heat. Store it in a place where the jar is not in direct light or right next to a heat source.
Close the lid completely. Every single time. It is the simplest thing you can do, and it protects against air and moisture at the same time.
Clean, dry fingers. If you get water into the jar, you negate exactly what makes the cream preservative-free.
If you do these three things, your cream will stay fresh for up to 6 months after opening.
Can I save by buying more?
Yes, you can. If you buy more than 1 cream at a time, the unit price decreases and you get free delivery.
Delivery, returns and warranty
How long is the delivery time?
Expect 1-3 business days. We pack and ship all orders ourselves. However, minor delays may occur.
How much is delivery?
For purchases under DKK 499, delivery costs DKK 39 within Denmark.
For purchases over DKK 499, delivery is free within Denmark
Can I track my package?
Yes. You will receive a tracking number by email as soon as the package has been shipped.
It’s been over a week, and I haven’t received my package?
Unfortunately, problems can sometimes occur during delivery, and your package may be delayed. Contact us with your order number, and we will make sure to resolve the issue immediately.
Even though it’s skincare, do you have a satisfaction guarantee?
Yes, as one of the few skincare companies out there, we offer a 60-day guarantee. We stand by our cream. Use it daily, and if you don't notice a difference in your skin, we will refund your purchase. Finding the right cream for your skin can be difficult — especially online. That's why we take the risk. If you have used the cream as recommended and still don't notice a difference, write to us within 60 days, and you will get your money back. You can write to us here.
Can I cancel my purchase?
Yes. You have a 14-day right of withdrawal under Danish law, provided the product is unused and unopened. If you have opened the jar and used the cream, our 60-day satisfaction guarantee applies.
Can I change or cancel my order?
Write to us as soon as possible. If the package hasn't been shipped yet, we are always happy to correct it.
How do I return?
Just write to us, and we will make sure you get all the necessary information to return your package.