Introduce yourself.
We are Renata & Mihael Sanko, parents of four and founders of Ancestral Cosmetics — a skincare brand rooted in old-world wisdom and made for the modern world. What began as a humble kitchen experiment quickly turned into a mission to revive the forgotten skincare rituals of our ancestors.
What inspired you to join the natural health sector?
It started with our own health journey—questioning everything from what we ate to what we put on our skin. We began stripping away modern conveniences and returning to what’s real, local, and time-tested. The more we learned, the more it became clear: our skin, the body’s largest organ, deserves better than petrochemicals and synthetic “natural” products. We wanted to create something we could trust—especially for our kids.
Where did you get the idea for your brand?
The idea was born out of a real need. We were switching to natural skincare for our family but none of the brands offered results we were looking for while being truly natural, so we created our own. That’s when we turned to our roots. We rendered beef tallow the traditional way, blended it with raw honey and herbs, and saw incredible results. It was like skincare alchemy, using what our ancestors would’ve used. From there, the brand grew organically.
What makes your brand unique?
We don’t follow trends—we follow tradition. Every jar is handmade in Co. Wexford using only truly natural ingredients. Our products are tallow-based, which sets us apart in a world still clinging to highly-processed seed oils and synthetics. But more than that, it’s the spirit behind the brand—ancestral knowledge, transparency, and a deep reverence for nature—that makes us different.
What are your company’s core values?
- Simplicity: We believe less is more—fewer ingredients, more results.
- Integrity: No greenwashing. No shortcuts.
- Tradition: We honour ancient skincare practices and give them new life.
- Family: We’re a family-run business and treat our customers like part of the tribe.
- Sovereignty: Over your health, your skin, your choices.
How do you support your community?
We support fellow family businesses, source locally when possible, and create honest products that genuinely help people. We also share knowledge—whether it’s on social media or via customer emails—because education is empowerment. If one person feels more confident in their skin because of us, we’ve done our job.
What has been the most rewarding part of your brand’s journey?
Hearing real stories from real people. When someone tells us that our balm helped their child’s eczema or gave them back their glow—it means everything. We’ve had customers send photos, comment on Instagram and thank us like we changed their lives. And in a small way, maybe we did.
What in your opinion makes Irish brands unique?
There’s a groundedness to Irish brands—a sense of place and purpose. We’re not trying to be flashy; we’re trying to be real. The land, the people, the resilience—it’s all reflected in how we do business. There’s also a certain ancestral magic in Irish soil that creates some of the highest quality beef (and therefore beef tallow) in the world, and I’d like to think we capture a bit of that in every jar.
What is your favourite product from your brand?
It has to be our Original Tallow & Honey Balm. It’s where it all began. It’s so simple—just grass-fed Irish tallow, olive oil, beeswax, raw honey, and a few powerful botanicals—but it works wonders. It’s a balm that replaces multiple skincare products. It’s what I still reach for every day.
Tell us about something that has shaped your brand.
Honestly, motherhood shaped everything. Watching Renata navigate skin struggles while breastfeeding and parenting lit a fire in us. We realised how little support there is for women in that vulnerable season—and how damaging the mainstream beauty industry can be. That shaped our entire philosophy: nourish, protect, simplify.
What do you hope to accomplish in the future?
We want to become the go-to ancestral skincare brand globally—while staying true to our small-batch roots. We hope to continue educating, growing our community, and maybe even open a physical space in Ireland where people can learn, experience, and connect. Most of all, we want to continue proving that nature really does know best.
