Refers to animal skin processed for use, often in industrial or commercial contexts. More formal than 革 (かわ).
This factory processes cowhide into leather.
This bag is made of genuine leather.
皮革製品のお手入れには専用のクリームを使います。
Use a special cream to care for leather goods.
That shop sells high-quality leather goods.
レザー is a trendy loanword for leather often seen in fashion contexts, whereas 皮革 is the formal, industry-standard term.
皮 refers to raw, unprocessed skin or peel, while 皮革 specifically means leather that has been tanned and processed for use.
artificial leather; synthetic leather
artificial leather; synthetic leather; faux leather
synthetic leather; artificial leather; leatherette
Compound of 皮 (ひ, 'skin, hide') and 革 (かく, 'leather, tanned hide'). The reading かく is the on'yomi of 革.