what is tallow?
tallow is simply rendered cow fat. it has been used for centuries as skincare. tallow is bio-compatible with the natural oils found in our skin, making it the ideal balm for all skin types: dry, oily, sensitive, and everything in between. rich fatty acids and nutrients in tallow make it the ultimate nourishing moisturizer, even for extremely dry skin. it is full of antioxidants that boost collagen and reduce hyperpigmentation and wrinkles in aging skin. anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and anti-bacterial properties in tallow may help conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis, diaper rash, and more. tallow naturally contains very few allergens, making it ideal for sensitive skin.
at drift, we use suet tallow, which is the most nutrient-dense fat surrounding the internal organs. organic unrefined 100% grass-fed & finished suet tallow has the highest nutrient content of any other tallow. tallow from factory-farmed grain-fed cows lacks these nutrients and often contains gmo's, steroids, antibiotics, & artificial hormones.
our tallow is always sourced from small family-owned farms in the usa where the cows are pasture raised and free of all vaccines, pesticides, added hormones, antibiotics, and gmo's.
always unrefined
our tallow is always unrefined, leaving it in it's most nutrient-rich, natural state. many tallow skincare makers choose to refine (or "purify") their tallow. while this process does make the tallow white and odorless, it alters it's makeup and can destroy it's most valuable nutrients, compromising all of it's amazing benefits. wet rendering, the most common method of refining tallow, uses water and salt. this process can cause bacterial and mold growth, contaminating the tallow, and potentially causing skin irritation or infection. it can also compromise the shelf life. because our tallow is unrefined, never purified, each batch may vary in color or smell based on what nature gives us.
"And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good." Genesis 1:25
sources:
https://grasslandbeauty.com/blogs/news/to-purify-or-not-to-purify
https://buffalogalgrassfed.com/our-blog?p=delving-deeper-into-the-impact-of-tallow-purification
key nutrients in tallow:
omega 3, omega 6, stearic, oleic & conjugated linoleic fatty acids
palmitoleic & palmitic acids
vitamins a, d, e & k