About Tallow

The Ingredient

Tallow is rendered fat from grass-fed cattle. When sourced from organic, pasture-raised animals and properly filtered, it becomes a clean, stable base for cosmetic formulation.

For centuries, tallow was a staple in skincare and cosmetics. It disappeared from modern beauty not because it stopped working, but because plant-based ingredients became easier to market.

We brought it back because the chemistry is exceptional.

What Tallow is NOT

Myth: Tallow mimics human sebum.

Truth: Tallow's fatty acid profile is different from sebum. That's not a bad thing—it means tallow provides different benefits. We use it for performance, not because it's "bioidentical."

Myth: Tallow is rich in vitamins A, D, E, and K.

Truth: Rendered tallow contains trace amounts of fat-soluble vitamins, but not in significant concentrations. We use tallow for its fatty acids and texture properties, not as a vitamin source.

Myth: Tallow absorbs instantly because your skin recognizes it.

Truth: Tallow absorbs well because of its fatty acid composition and how we formulate it—not because of similarity to skin oils.

Myth: Tallow heals skin.

Truth: Tallow is an excellent emollient that supports skin barrier function. It doesn't "heal" anything. Good formulation creates effective products—not individual ingredients.

We're honest about what tallow does because performance speaks for itself. We don't need to exaggerate.

Why We Use Tallow

  • Oleic Acid (Omega 9)

    Creates smooth, even application. Helps other ingredients penetrate. Gives that signature "slip" without silicones.

  • Palmitic Acid

    Provides structure and stability. Helps formulas maintain consistency across temperatures. Creates firmness in balms.

  • Stearic Acid

    Acts as a natural emulsifier. Gives products a creamy, luxurious feel. Helps formulas glide smoothly.

  • Linoleic Acid (Omega 6)

    Supports skin barrier function. Helps maintain flexibility in formulas.

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Performance Benefits

  • In Skincare

    • Provides lasting hydration without heaviness
    • Supports skin barrier function
    • Absorbs well despite richness
    • Wears comfortably under makeup
    • Works on all skin types (yes, even oily)
    • Doesn't clog pores when properly formulated

  • In Makeup

    • Creates slip without silicones
    • Holds pigment evenly for true color payoff
    • Blends seamlessly—never patches or grabs
    • Sets to a skin-like finish (not powdery, not greasy)
    • Builds from sheer to medium coverage
    • Wears comfortably for hours

  • In Body Care

    • Moisturizes without greasy residue
    • Absorbs quickly for a non-oily finish
    • Lasts longer than most plant oils
    • Works year-round (not too heavy, not too light)
    • Effective on dry areas (elbows, heels, hands)
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Our Sourcing Standards

We use only organic, grass-fed tallow from cattle that are:

✓ Raised on pasture (not feedlots)

✓ Fed organic grass and forage (no grain, no GMOs)

✓ Never given hormones or antibiotics

✓ Raised in the United States

The tallow is:

✓ Rendered at low temperatures to preserve fatty acid integrity

✓ Filtered multiple times to remove impurities

✓ Deodorized naturally (not chemically)

✓ Stored properly to prevent oxidation

Why Now?

If tallow works so well, why did it disappear?

Marketing.

In the 1950s-70s, plant-based ingredients became easier to market as "clean" and "natural." Animal fats were positioned as "old-fashioned" and "impure."

But chemistry doesn't care about marketing. Tallow's fatty acid profile remains exceptional for cosmetic formulation—whether that fits current trends or not.

We're not bringing back tallow for nostalgia. We're using it because it works better than most alternatives for what we're trying to achieve: makeup that feels like skincare, skincare that wears like makeup, and body care that actually moisturizes.

Questions About Tallow

Is tallow vegan?

No. Tallow is an animal-derived ingredient. If you follow a vegan lifestyle, our products aren't for you—and that's okay.

Does tallow smell?

Not when properly rendered and filtered. Our tallow is odorless. Any scent in our products comes from added essential oils or fragrance (when used).

Will tallow clog my pores?

Properly formulated tallow products should not clog pores. Tallow itself is non-comedogenic when used in appropriate concentrations. Our formulas are designed to wear comfortably on all skin types.

Can I use tallow if I have oily skin?

Yes. Tallow absorbs well and doesn't leave an oily finish when formulated correctly. Many people with oily skin prefer tallow-based products because they don't feel heavy or greasy.

Is tallow sustainable?

When sourced from regeneratively raised cattle, tallow can be part of a sustainable system. We use tallow from grass-fed, pasture-raised animals as a way to utilize the whole animal and reduce waste.

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