Gilboys Leather Balsam 50g

Produced locally in Dartington, Devon we can confirm that this is by far the best leather conditioner we have ever used. It is highly reccommend for use on our vegetable tanned, pull-up and  aniline  leathers to maintain their condition and luster.  This can also be used to revive dried out leather items such as sofa's, saddles, leather clothing and accessories.

INGREDIENTS

• Organically produced and humanely harvested local beeswax

• Cosmetic-grade Lanolin (wool wax)

• T1-grade Natural Carnauba Wax

• Coconut and Sweet Almond Oils

• Cocoa Butter

• NO Petrochemicals

Cosmetic-grade Lanolin (wool wax). Has exceptional emollient properties. It replicates the natural lubrication of animal skin, softening leather, preventing it from drying and allowing the fibres to move smoothly across each other and so reduces abrasive wear. It is both water-retaining and repellent.

Natural T1 Carnauba Wax Known as the 'queen of waxes' because it is the hardest of all the natural waxes. 'T1' is the highest grade. It provides a crystal-clear, hard-wearing, non-greasy waterproof finish that allows the natural colour of the leather to shine through while locking-in the softening oils and emollients.

Over time the natural tanning oils evaporate out of the hide. The smell of leather comes from these oils. If not replaced, leather will eventually dry out completely and become brittle and crack. We add sweet almond and coconut oils as a pleasant-smelling top-up to the lubricating tanning oils.

Cocoa Butter A natural emollient with great stability. This quality, coupled with natural antioxidants, its velvety texture, pleasant fragrance and emollient properties have made it a popular ingredient in soaps and lotions.

UV Absorber

Our UV absorber works by absorbing harmful ultraviolet radiation and converting it primarily into heat energy.

It protects the leather by:

• Reducing the amount of UV rays that reach and damage the leather's collagen fibres
• Stopping photooxidation that leads to fading, discolouration, and weakening of the leather
• Disrupting the free radical chain reactions that accelerate leather degradation
• Creating a sacrificial barrier that absorbs UV radiation instead of the leather itself

Without protection, UV radiation breaks down leather's structural proteins and causes the material to dry out, crack, and eventually deteriorate. Our UV absorber extends the leather's lifespan by intercepting this damaging radiation before it can harm the material. It's particularly important for leather items regularly exposed to sunlight, like car interiors, furniture, and outdoor equipment.

The physics behind it is fascinating - it functions through a process called photophysical deactivation:

The UV absorber molecule absorbs high-energy UV photons. This raises the molecule to an excited state

The molecule then dissipates this energy as harmless heat through 'vibrational relaxation'

The molecule returns to its ground state, ready to absorb more UV radiation.

Features

• No Greasy Residue: moisture is locked-in by the hardened waxes
• Hard-Wearing: Retains condition for longer
• Stays Soft for Longer: Softening oils and emollients locked-in
• Improved UV Protection: Helps preserve the leather and reduces sun damage.

Precautions

• Do not use on suede or nubuck leather.
• May darken some types of leather. Always test on a small concealed area first.