Simply put: were swerving into the territory of organic chemistry.
I'm sure there are ways to help old leather at the theoretical level under strict laboratory conditions.
Most of us out here in the real world do not have the training, facilities or narrowly defined interest to achieve this level of success.
Therefore, I would suggest that the various home remedies and commercial products are not suitable.
Remember that commercial products are developed to appeal to the largest market share they can get. Antique leather is such a minuscule percentage of the leather market at large that this should be evident.
Over time, the chemistry in leather changes as it ages. The proof is surface flaking, red rot, stiffness, brittleness, etc. Something that is formulated for leather in its original state is just not suitable for the different (aged) material.
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