Tallow for skin care? What the heck is tallow? We'll go into all of that, but first, a story. Our youngest son had cracked feet around the toes, and every tube of cream at the local grocery store didn't seem to help. Some even made it worse. He sometimes cried and didn't want us to touch his feet because they hurt. As parents, we felt absolutely helpless.
Naturally, we turned to Dr. Google, i.e., we became keyboard warriors and started researching solutions for cracked feet. We discovered a few things: the ingredients in the grocery aisle creams could be causing more problems. Why? They are packed with chemicals, dyes, fillers, fragrances, and preservatives—all made in some chemical-filled factory and not fit to be slathered on our skin, let alone our baby boy's cracked feet.
Luckily, we found some YouTube videos that went deep into natural skincare products that seemed promising. The main ingredient in most of these natural products was tallow.
What was this magic elixir? We knew it as the stuff people used to cook with back in the day. Why would we put it on our skin? It turns out that tallow, derived from animal fat, has been used for centuries in various cultures for its skin-nourishing properties. It is nature's miracle moisturizer and can take care of almost anything, including rashes, cuts, scrapes, eczema, psoriasis, acne, sunburns, etc.
Within about a week of us using a combination of tallow, olive oil, coconut oil, honey, and beeswax, our youngest son's cracked feet started to heal. Within two weeks of using this natural tallow skincare combo, his feet didn't hurt and were completely healed.
What started as a science experiment in the kitchen trying to find a solution to our youngest son's cracked feet turned into our little family business, Janey B. & Co.
This post will explore the benefits of using tallow for skin and how it compares to other skincare ingredients. We will also share some DIY recipes to help you incorporate this natural wonder into your skincare routine.
What is Tallow?
Tallow is a rendered fat typically derived from beef. It has a long history of use in skincare, cooking, and candle making. What makes tallow particularly beneficial for the skin is its composition. It is rich in vitamins A, D, E, and K and closely resembles the natural oils (sebum) our skin produces. This similarity allows tallow to be easily absorbed, providing deep moisturization and nourishment.
Benefits of Tallow for Skin
Tallow is gaining recognition in the skincare world for its impressive benefits. Here are some key advantages of using tallow for your skin:
- Deep Moisturization: Tallow is incredibly effective at locking in moisture, making it ideal for dry and sensitive skin. Its composition closely mimics human sebum, which means it absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy residue.
- Rich in Nutrients: Tallow is packed with essential vitamins like A, D, E, and K. These vitamins play crucial roles in skin health, helping to repair damage, reduce inflammation, and improve overall skin tone and texture.
- Anti-Inflammatory Properties: The natural fats in tallow have anti-inflammatory properties, making it an excellent choice for those with inflammatory skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea.
- Non-Comedogenic: Despite being a fat, tallow is non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores. This makes it suitable for all skin types, including acne-prone skin.
- Sustainable and Natural: Using tallow supports a sustainable lifestyle. It utilizes parts of the animal that might otherwise go to waste, aligning with minimal waste and natural living principles.
How to Use Tallow in Skincare
Incorporating tallow into your skincare routine is easy and versatile. Here are some practical ways to use it:
- Simple Tallow Balm: Create a basic tallow balm by melting tallow and mixing it with a few drops of essential oil. This balm can be used as a moisturizer, lip balm, or even a hand cream.
- DIY Tallow Cream: For a richer cream, blend melted tallow with other nourishing ingredients like coconut oil and olive oil. This mixture provides a luxurious feel and deep hydration.
- Tallow Soap: Homemade tallow soap is gentle and effective. It cleanses without stripping the skin's natural oils, making it perfect for daily use.
- Tallow Face Mask: Mix tallow with honey and a few drops of essential oil for a hydrating face mask. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing off with warm water.
Comparison with Other Skincare Ingredients
While tallow has its unique benefits, it's helpful to compare it with other popular natural skincare ingredients:
- Tallow vs. Shea Butter: Shea butter is another rich moisturizer, but it lacks the specific nutrient profile of tallow. Tallow's vitamins A, D, E, and K provide additional skin benefits that shea butter doesn't offer.
Janey B. & Co's Tallow & Honey Balm Customer Testimonials and Reviews:
Here are some testimonials from our satisfied customers who've used our Janey B. & Co. Tallow & Honey Balm:
- "I've been using it for a week and my skin is loving it. I use it on my face and under my body moisturizer. I love that I know it's full of only the best ingredients made by such an incredible family." - Allison W.
- "My 9 year olds eczema is slowly fading away which we have had several different doctor appointments and been prescribed multiple different topical medications that have only made his eczema worse, so this is a huge plus! I have been using it on my cuticles around my nails and I no longer have dry skin or hangnails, my oldest who is 13 has "chicken skin also known as KP" and because of the improvements I have seen not only for my 9 year old but for me I had him try it on his thighs and arms and we are already noticing it's less noticeable!" - Lindsey B.
- "My skin feels so hydrated with this balm! I have keratosis Pilaris on the back of my arms and I have noticed a significant difference in the two weeks I have had this product. It's very universal, I use it for my cuticles and to hydrate my face and lips at night as well." - M.R.
- "I slather on the tallow after cleaning my face for the night and I wake up with my skin still fully hydrated. I love how smooth it goes on." - Terri B.
- "This balm is amazing! My skin feels great!" - Maria S.
- "Been using it for a couple days now as a chapstick before bed and my elbows and already feeling a difference." - Jessica B.
- "I have used for two days and love the way my skin feels already. I use it for chapstick and cuticle oil as well! 10/10..." - Shannon M.
- We've found tallow to be a powerful and versatile ingredient that offers numerous benefits for the skin. Its natural, nutrient-rich composition makes it an excellent choice for anyone looking to improve their skincare routine with sustainable and effective products. Tallow is worth considering whether you're dealing with dry skin or inflammation or simply want a natural moisturizer.
Ready to experience the benefits of tallow for yourself? Check out our range of homemade tallow-based skincare products and start your journey to healthier, more radiant skin today!
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