So… why beef tallow?
Well, first, what is it?
Tallow is clarified beef fat that has been cooked down to its liquid form and separated from impurities. At room temperature, the fat solidifies and becomes shelf stable.
Historically, tallow was a cooking staple for our ancestors long before industrialized seed oils notoriously took over… but that’s a story for another day.
We chose beef tallow as the base of our skin care products because of its biological composure. Tallow is a combination of lipids, fatty acids, ceramides, and a complete profile of vitamins and minerals that are not only vital to our health, but closely resemble those in the sebum our bodies naturally produce!
Okay, so what is sebum?
Our skin, our body’s largest organ and first line of defense against pathogens, irritants, and toxins, has sebaceous glands whose job is to produce sebum. Sebum is an oil that locks in moisture and serves as a protectant barrier. This barrier can be easily disrupted and even destroyed by an array of harmful chemicals that are commonly found in mainstream beauty and skincare products.
The body’s ability to produce the fatty acids needed for this protection is limited and depends on the diet (no, dietary fat is not the enemy… also a story for another day). We often hear about omega-6 and the need to supplement for it. Why? Because it is vital to brain development, skin and hair growth, bone and reproductive health, and metabolism. Unfortunately, our bodies are unable to produce the building blocks for it. Beef tallow is rich in linoleic acid, the precursor for omega-6. Oleic and palmitic acids are anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, and anti-aging powerhouses that lock in moisture to soften skin and preserve elasticity. Where can we find them? You guessed it, beef tallow! Stearic acid, another skin saving superhero found in tallow, softens, strengthens, and even cleanses the skin.
As you can see, tallow is a great way to assist our skin in producing these necessary fatty acids without disrupting its natural balance. This boost can help our skin perform optimally whereas the products bought from major corporations with mile-long ingredients lists that you can’t pronounce can actually cause damage.