All about tallow

Okay so what is tallow? Tallow is the finished product of melted down beef suet or leaf fat, which is the fat surrounding the kidneys of the cow. This fat contains an abundance of nutrients. The rendering process involves melting the suet down and “purifying” the fat. This process can be incredibly time consuming.  When it’s melted and purified you get a beautiful oil with a golden yellow hue, and once cooled to room temp it becomes a waxy, solid similar to beeswax! Traditionally, tallow has been used for cooking, soap making, skin salves, candles, and even as an industrial lubricant. Putting beef fat on your face might sound a little intimidating but once you try it, you'll get it. This is ancient skincare! Though many people have never heard of tallow, more are starting to learn about it! My tallow is ONLY ever sourced from organic farms that practice regenerative farming and cattle that are pasture raised, spending their entire lives grazing on grass. Why is pasture raised so important? Because when cattle are fed anything other than their biologically appropriate diets, mass produced, and conventionally raised-the toxins from their environments and food accumulate in their fat, aka tallow! So 100% grass fed tallow from regenerative farmers is my promise! The quality grass fed tallow also far surpasses conventionally fed (grain, soy, and corn) cows in the amount of nutrients it contains! This includes higher amounts micronutrients, vitamins, and minerals! Learn more below! 

 

Why tallow over vegan skincare?

If you're new to the idea of using beef fat for your skin, allow me to introduce you. Sorry vegans! Grass fed, grass finished tallow is not new to the skincare game. In fact, it has long been in human history, but once modern industries, unnatural toxic substances, and chemical based skincare came into the picture tallow took a backseat. However, this stuff is far greater than anything that can be created in a lab! Despite the mainstream narrative about saturated fats being unhealthy, tallow proves otherwise. Because our skin is made up of saturated fats, it needs fat to stay supple and healthy! This is where tallow becomes your skins best friend. Most unsaturated fats (polyunsaturated seed oils) in plant based skincare can oxidize easily when exposed to high heat, light and air-making them very unstable. When exposed they then begin to break down and can cause damage to your skin! However, tallow is the opposite. It does not breakdown when exposed to these things making it very shelf stable and safe for your skin!

Aside from being deeply moisturizing, tallow contains an abundant amount of the fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, B, and K which are not only all found together in animal based foods, but play a crucial role in protecting skin health and its integrity. The make up of our skin and tallow are almost identical, both being made up of about 50-55% saturated fat. This means tallow is biologically compatible at a cellular level and readily available for our skin to absorb once applied. Fun fact- tallow in Latin actually translates to sebum, which is the oil our skin produces! So its undoubtedly one of the best things you could put on your skin! Now lets talk about those amazing vitamins tallow contains and why they're so essential for skin health. 

•  Vitamin A- Helps to promote collagen and build elastin by stimulating the cells (fibroblasts) that produce collagen. Works to maintain a healthy dermis and epidermis which are the two top layers of our skin. Plays a role in helping produce new cells which keeps the skin looking tighter, firmer, and more supple. 
• Vitamin D-  Neutralizes and can reverse free radical damage to the skin. Stimulates an immune response to heal the skin when it is inflamed or wounded, making it highly anti inflammatory.
• Vitamin K- Necessary for keeping even skin tone, elasticity and promoting a soft supply texture.
• Vitamin B-Improves dark spots and hyperpigmentation as well as aiding in new skin cell reproduction which helps to heal skin issues at a more accelerated rate.
• Vitamin E- A powerful anti aging antioxidant, protecting the skin against free radical damage and even helping reverse their effects on the skin that lead to premature. discoloration, wrinkles etc. Strengthens the skins barrier function and integrity of the skin. Its also, anti inflammatory, so it helps soothe and calm the skin.

Its easy to see why tallow based skincare stands out among the rest! Tallow is suitable for all skin types and is non comedogenic. Since it is highly concentrated, less is more. The amount needed is dependent on what its being used for but regardless the hydration will last for hours! Use just enough and your skin will thank you!