The Benefits of Tallow

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January 5, 2025

I have fallen head over heels for all things tallow!

Here's how my love began...

Early winter Baby Dahlia developed very cracked and dry skin. She was even bleeding a little on the tops of her wrists/hands. 😥

My usual natural moisturizer just wasn't cutting it.

So I went to my trusted Weston A. Price for help. This is where I discovered the incredible healing properties of tallow.

I immediately got to work, and with the help of Bumblebee Apothecary, I rendered my first batch of suet into tallow. Next I did an infusion of calendula flowers with jojoba oil and whipped up my first batch of tallow balm.

It was only a few days and baby Dahlias dry, cracked skin was back to normal. I was so impressed with the results that I started using it as a body & face moisturizer for my dry sensitive skin. It left my face feeling silky smooth with a dewy, radiant glow.

Here are a few interesting facts about Tallow:

Tallow is an exceptionally nourishing, vitamin-rich form of pure rendered animal fat.

In times prior to the widespread adoption of synthetic chemicals and artificial ingredients in skincare, tallow was a significant component of the skincare products created and utilized by our ancestors.

Tallow contains elevated levels of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and K, in a balanced combination with their respective activators, which greatly contribute to skin and overall health. Notably, grass-fed tallow is particularly rich in Vitamin E- four times more than that found in grain-fed cows- as well as conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) known for its anti-inflammatory properties, and palmitoleic acid, which possesses natural antimicrobial benefits.

Vitamin A – plays a critical role in promoting the production of collagen, elastin, and healthy skin cells, while also reinforcing tissue to maintain skin firmness, smoothness, and a youthful appearance. Additionally, it aids in the healing of various skin conditions, ranging from acne to signs of aging.
Vitamin D – is essential for the development, repair, metabolism, and immune function of skin cells. It also protects and rejuvenates the skin by guarding against free radicals that contribute to premature aging.
Vitamin K – is vital for maintaining skin tone, texture, and overall health. It has soothing properties that alleviate skin inflammation and irritations while promoting an expedited healing process.
Vitamin E – serves as a potent antioxidant that not only repairs but also mitigates damage caused by free radicals. Additionally, it deeply hydrates the skin and enhances its appearance by promoting healing.

Tallow is highly effective in enhancing skin cell health due to its composition, which is remarkably similar to that of human skin. The membranes of our cells primarily consist of fatty acids, over 50% of which are saturated fats. Tallow contains approximately 50% saturated fats, with the rest being monosaturated fats. This compatibility with our cellular biology makes tallow a powerful source of nourishment for cell health.

Moreover, the beneficial effects of tallow on skin health are further demonstrated by its resemblance to sebum, the oily and waxy substance that moisturizes, lubricates, and protects the skin. Sebum is even translated to “tallow” in Latin!

With that being said, I am thrilled to introduce a brand new addition to our pasture raised offerings:

Tallow Cleansing Balm

Tallow Face & Body Balm

I can't wait for you to try it and experience the incredible healing properties of Tallow!

For more information on using tallow on the skin -->Traditional Nourishing and Healing Skin Care

Tallow Sunblock

Our Sunscreen Story I began researching the best sunscreen for our first child about 12 years ago when she was still a baby. I discovered that there were very few sunscreens available that were advised for infants younger than one year old. What was in these products that weren't considered safe for babies but were suddenly just fine by the time they were 18 months old? Huh? I started digging deeper. Sunscreen is definitely something you want to do your research on before just believing the claims on a bottle. Through my own personal research over the years I’ve found commercial sunscreens contain potentially harmful chemicals that can disrupt hormones, damage the brain and nerves, and even harm unborn children with some studies even suggesting a link between certain sunscreen ingredients and increased skin cancer risk. How We Protect Our Skin From Sun Damage I came to the conclusion that for us, the best option would be to prioritize responsible sun exposure, as sunlight is very healthy for our skin! We mainly avoid extreme sun and use shade and clothing for protection. We also allow our skin to build a healthy tan gradually. We use a homemade sunblock when we can’t avoid those extreme sun situations. Just yesterday I applied my homemade tallow sunblock on my toddler when she kept pulling her sun hat off at the beach when the sun was high. Did you know that diet significantly impacts skin health? Industrial seed oils, often labeled as vegetable oils, can react with sunlight, potentially contributing to skin cancer. If your new to this idea I recommend reading this article written by my online healthy mama mentor: Why You Should Never Eat Vegetable Oil or MargarineShe also has a great article titled How I Eat My SunscreenOur Homemade Tallow Sunblock Ingredients You can't test and control homemade sunscreen in labs like you can with store-bought products. By using ingredients that protect against the sun and are safe and good for the skin we feel more confident about using this homemade sunscreen safely and effectively.Although the SPF protection of this sunblock has not been formally tested,several mineral sunscreens use similar formulas for broad spectrum protection from UV rays at a rating of 15 and 20 SPF. You shouldn't need anything stronger if you've eliminated the majority of seed oils and harmful processed foods from your diet. Our main active ingredient is non-nano zinc oxide which effectively protects the skin from the sun's rays. Besides non-nano zinc oxide I also enjoy using a mix of fats and oils that each offer special benefits for the skin. Non-nano Zinc Oxide- Zinc oxide has been found to be the most effective mineral ingredient to combat both the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. But what is the significance of non-nano zinc oxide? This relates to the size of the particles. Conventional zinc oxide consists of particles that are exceedingly small, classified as nanoparticles. The issue with these particles is that their minuscule size allows them to penetrate the skin more readily, potentially entering the bloodstream. Non-nano zinc oxide, on the other hand, features larger particles that cannot penetrate the skin. This characteristic ensures that the zinc oxide remains on the skin's surface, providing protection against the full range of the sun's rays. This specific type of non-nano zinc oxide is what we utilized in our tallow sunblock. Tallow- Tallow has a natural SPF of 4; however, beyond its sun protection capabilities, it provides a multitude of advantages for overall skin health. Tallow is our preferred ingredient for skincare applications. Below is a brief overview of the skin benefits associated with tallow: - Abundant in vitamins A, D, E, K, and B12 - Rich in essential minerals - Contains conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which possesses natural anti-inflammatory properties - Palmitoleic acid serves as a potent antimicrobial agent and is a fundamental component of our skin - Palmitic acid enhances the functionality of the skin's protective barrier - Stearic acid aids in the repair of damaged skin while improving its flexibility and supplenessCoconut Oil- Although the precise SPF of coconut oil is not well-defined (estimated to be approximately SPF 5), there is substantial evidence indicating that coconut oil offers protective benefits against the sun's rays. Additionally, coconut oil delivers numerous other advantages for the skin, which include: -Moisturizing properties -Providing antioxidants -Containing antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial characteristics -Reducing inflammation Jojoba Oil- Similarly, to coconut oil, the spf protection of Jojoba oil provides is up for debate. But it is likely around an spf of 4 along with providing many other benefits for skin health. Beeswax- Beeswax serves as a natural and vital ingredient that provides the sunscreen with an optimal creamy texture, and the wax plays a crucial role in keeping this homemade sunscreen waterproof. Shop Tallow Sunblock

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The Benefits of Tallow

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