Heirloom Remedy: Tallow Face Balm

Tallow, a rendered form of animal fat, has been used for centuries by ancient civilizations for skincare, due to its deeply nourishing and protective properties. Tallow was a key ingredient in skincare rituals for ancient societies including the Ancient Egyptians, Mesopotamians, Greeks & Romans, Nordic & Celtic peoples, African Tribes, Medieval Europeans and the Indigenous Cultures of North America. Tallow was and still is today, prized for its ability to hydrate, heal and protect the skin.

Ancient Egyptians, known for their advanced knowledge of skincare, used tallow mixed with essential oils and herbs to soften and protect their skin from the arid desert conditions. In colder climates, such as among the Nordic and Indigenous peoples of North America, tallow was applied to prevent dryness, chapping and frostbite. It was also used as a medicinal salve to heal wounds, burns and scars.

Tallow is rich in fatty acids, particularly oleic and palmitic acids, which are highly compatible with human skin. These fats provide deep hydration, support the skin barrier and promote elasticity. Tallow is also packed with vitamins A, D, E and K, which are vital for skin regeneration, collagen production and repair. Its anti-inflammatory properties make if effective for soothing conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and acne.

In addition to its therapeutic benefits, tallow was a sustainable resource, as every part of the animal was utilized in ancient practices. This made it a symbol of respect for nature and a practical choice for skincare regimes. Today, Tallow is widely recognized as the best and highly sought after key ingredient for skincare products due to its properties being unmatched by any other natural fats or oils on the market, its compatibility with human skin and its long standing history as a trusted remedy.

Skin Benefits of Tallow

Deeply Nourishes and Moisturizes

Tallow is rich in fatty acids like stearic acid and oleic acid, which are similar to the natural oils (sebum) produced by human skin. This makes it easily absorbed, providing deep hydration without clogging pores.

Skin Barrier Repair

The lipid profile of tallow helps repair and strengthen the skin's natural barrier, protecting it from environmental stressors and retaining moisture.

Anti-Aging Properties

Its natural composition can calm redness, irritation, and inflammation, making it suitable for sensitive or acne-prone skin.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Its natural composition can calm redness, irritation, and inflammation, making it suitable for sensitive or acne-prone skin.

Promotes Skin Healing

Tallow is packed with conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and palmitoleic acid, which have antibacterial and wound-healing properties, aiding in the repair of damaged or scarred skin.

Enhances Collagen Production

Vitamin A, conjugated acid and palmitoleic acid in tallow stimulates collagen production, improving skin firmness and reducing wrinkles.

Improves Skin Tone and Texture

Regular use of tallow can help smooth rough patches and even out skin tone, leaving it soft and supple.

Non Comedogenic

Despite being an animal fat, tallow has a comedogenic rating of zero, meaning it won't clog pores or cause breakouts.

Rich in Antioxidants

Vitamins E and A act as powerful antioxidants that protect the skin from free radicals and premature aging.

Suitable for All Skin Types

Tallow is versatile and can benefit dry, oily, mature, or sensitive skin, making it a universal choice for skincare.

Supports Natural Skin Microbiome

Its gentle composition nourishes and maintains the skin's natural microbiome, promoting healthy and balanced skin.

Soothes Dry, Inflamed and Sensitive skin

Ideal for conditions like eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis due to its calming and nourishing properties.

Free from Synthetic Additives

When made from grass-fed or organic sources, tallow is free from harmful chemicals, fragrances, colorants and preservatives, making it a natural alternative for those with skin sensitivities.

Highly Versatile

Tallow is suitable for use on the face, body, lips and hair. By incorporating tallow-based products into your skincare routine, you can take advantage of these benefits for healthier, more resilient skin.

Ingredients

Tallow, Jojoba Oil, Prickly Pear Oil, Emu Oil, Tamanu Oil, Black Cumin Oil, Sea Buckthorn Oil, Baobab Oil, Castor Oil, Cacay Oil, Carrot Root Oil, Vitamin E Oil.

Essential Oil Options: Unscented, Frankincense & Myrrh, Sweet Orange & Neroli.

Ingredient Benefits

Grass-Fed Tallow

Used for centuries by many traditional cultures - from the Egyptians and Romans to early Europeans and Indigenous peoples - tallow was prized as a natural moisturizer and healing balm. It mirrors the composition of our own skin’s sebum more closely than any plant oil.

• Rich in fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, which promote cell regeneration, elasticity, and even skin tone.
• Provides conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
• Supports the skin barrier, reducing dryness, redness, and irritation.
• Delivers deep, long-lasting hydration without clogging pores.
• Helps repair and strengthen the skin’s lipid barrier, making it ideal for aging, sensitive, or compromised skin.

Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia chinensis)

Used by Native American tribes for centuries as a healing salve for wounds, burns, and sun damage. Its composition closely mimics human sebum.

• Balances sebum production - excellent for both dry and oily skin types.
• Provides vitamin E, B-complex vitamins, and essential fatty acids that rejuvenate dull skin.
• Supports collagen synthesis and improves elasticity.
• Soothes inflammation and calms eczema or rosacea-prone skin.
• Non-comedogenic and easily absorbed, leaving a velvety finish.

Prickly Pear Seed Oil (Opuntia ficus-indica)

Revered by the Aztecs and Berber women of Morocco for centuries as a sacred skin elixir and anti-aging oil.

• Exceptionally high in vitamin E (more than argan oil) and linoleic acid (omega-6) - both critical for skin barrier repair and hydration.
• Reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and pigmentation.
• Brightens dull complexions and promotes an even skin tone.
• Protects against oxidative stress and environmental aging.
• Lightweight, fast-absorbing, and non-greasy - ideal for mature or dehydrated skin.

Emu Oil (Dromaius novaehollandiae)

Used for thousands of years by Indigenous Australians as a sacred oil for healing burns, wounds, and joint pain.

• Deeply penetrates all layers of the skin - one of the most bioavailable oils known.
• Reduces inflammation, redness, and swelling, making it ideal for eczema, dermatitis, and sunburn.
• Rich in omega-3, 6, and 9 fatty acids, which strengthen and regenerate the skin barrier.
• Enhances the absorption of other active ingredients
• Promotes smoother, more elastic skin and reduces the look of scars and uneven texture.

Tamanu Oil (Calophyllum inophyllum)

Used for centuries in Polynesian, Melanesian, and Southeast Asian cultures for wound healing and scar reduction. Known as the “Green Gold” of the Pacific.

• Contains calophyllolide, a natural anti-inflammatory compound unique to tamanu.
• Promotes new tissue formation (cicatrization) - excellent for scars, acne marks, and pigmentation.
• Powerful antibacterial and antifungal properties help calm acne-prone skin.
• Deeply moisturizing, repairing, and rejuvenating for dry, damaged, or mature skin.

Black Cumin Seed Oil (Nigella sativa)

Used in ancient Egypt - Cleopatra and Nefertiti both reportedly used it in their beauty rituals. Found in King Tutankhamun’s tomb. Known as the “Oil of the Pharaohs.”

• Rich in thymoquinone, a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.
• Clears congestion, reduces breakouts, and calms reactive skin.
• Supports the healing of eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea.
• Strengthens the skin barrier and restores balance to uneven skin tones.
• Detoxifies and protects skin from environmental stressors.

Sea Buckthorn Oil (Hippophae rhamnoides)

Used for over 1,000 years in Tibetan, Russian, and Chinese medicine. Mongol warriors used it to treat burns and promote regeneration.

• One of the richest natural sources of vitamin C, E, carotenoids and omega-7.
• Stimulates collagen production and improves firmness and elasticity.
• Brightens the complexion and reduces sun damage and pigmentation.
• Deeply nourishes dry, weathered, and sun-exposed skin.
• Enhances wound healing and cell renewal.

Baobab Seed Oil (Adansonia digitata)

• Known as the “Tree of Life” in Africa. Used for centuries by African communities to protect and soften skin under harsh desert conditions.
• Abundant in vitamin A, D, E, and F, helping regenerate epithelial tissue.
• Provides intense moisture and helps restore elasticity.
• Improves the look of fine lines, scars, and dullness.
• Non-greasy and easily absorbed, leaving skin supple and plump.
• Supports long-term hydration and resilience.

Castor Oil (Ricinus communis)

Used by ancient Egyptians as a beauty and medicinal oil - Cleopatra is said to have used it for glowing eyes and skin.

• Contains ricinoleic acid, a unique fatty acid with antimicrobial and soothing properties.
• Draws moisture into the skin (humectant action), leaving it soft and hydrated.
• Helps reduce inflammation and supports the healing of blemishes and scars.
• Improves skin texture and enhances natural glow.
• Boosts collagen and elastin production over time.

Cacay Oil (Caryodendron orinocense)

Harvested from the Amazon rainforest and used for generations by indigenous tribes as a skin rejuvenation and healing oil.

• Contains three times more retinol (vitamin A) than rosehip oil - a potent natural anti-aging compound.
• Reduces fine lines, wrinkles, and pigmentation without irritation.
• Rich in linoleic acid for deep hydration and smooth texture.
• Improves skin firmness, elasticity, and brightness.
• Supports cell turnover and collagen synthesis for radiant, youthful skin.

Vitamin E (Tocopherol)

Modern extraction, but vitamin E has long been used in natural plant oils as a preservative and skin protector.

• A powerful antioxidant that protects skin from free radicals and UV damage.
• Prevents premature aging and helps fade scars and pigmentation.
• Moisturizes deeply and enhances skin resilience.
• Works synergistically with all other oils to stabilize and extend their benefits.

Carrot Root Oil (Daucus carota)

Used in ancient Greece and Rome for skin tonics and rejuvenation treatments. Extracted from the roots and infused in carrier oil.

• High in beta-carotene (pro-vitamin A), vitamins E and C - promotes radiance and cellular repair.
• Improves tone and texture, reduces age spots and pigmentation.
• Revitalizes dull, tired skin and enhances glow.
• Protects from oxidative stress and promotes youthful elasticity.

Essential Oil Options

Frankincense & Myrrh

Sweet Orange & Neroli

Unscented