The Life Changes That Wreck Your Skin (and the One Thing That Helps)

Because sometimes, water just isn’t enough... and that’s where tallow comes in.

You ever notice how your skin seems to go haywire the moment the seasons shift?

One minute you're fine, the next you're rubbing your knuckles under your sweater wondering why they look like dried creek beds.

We’ve all been there. 👀

And if you’re anything like me, juggling the changes life throws your way, from cold weather to hormones to simply getting older, your skin often tells the story before your mouth even opens.

At Nefertem, we’ve been working with grass-fed tallow for skin since 2012, long before it was trending on TikTok or topping Google searches.

And let me tell you, there’s a reason people keep coming back to this old-world ingredient when their skin suddenly stops behaving. Shop Tallow Skincare.

Let’s talk about why certain seasons and life transitions cause your skin to crave more moisture, and why tallow just might be the most natural, effective solution to keep you soft, supple, and confident through it all.

Seasonal Shifts: Fall & Winter’s Skin-Drying Grip

The moment the air turns crisp in fall, your skin knows it.

Cooler temps mean lower humidity. Your home’s heat kicks on, and suddenly there’s no moisture left in the air or your face.

In winter, it’s even worse. Harsh winds and freezing temps sap your skin of natural oils, while indoor heating dries the air to a level lower than the Sahara.

(Seriously — studies show average home humidity in winter can drop below 20%.)

This creates what dermatologists call seasonal xerosis, a fancy term for dry skin caused by the environment.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, symptoms can include itching, flaking, cracking, and that tight, uncomfortable feeling you just can’t lotion your way out of.

What helps? A barrier-based moisturizer, something rich, nourishing, and oil-based.

That’s where grass-fed tallow shines.

Its natural composition closely mimics your skin’s own oils, locking in hydration and keeping moisture where it belongs.

Aging Skin: The Slowdown is Real

As we age, everything slows down, including our skin’s ability to produce sebum, its natural moisturizing oil.

That’s why older adults often struggle with thinner, drier, more delicate skin, especially on the arms, legs, hands, and face.

Research shows that the lipid layer in our skin becomes less effective over time, reducing its ability to retain moisture.

According to the National Institutes of Health, this can lead to increased sensitivity, rough texture, and a higher risk of developing dry patches.

Enter tallow. 🐮

Because it’s packed with fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, plus omega fatty acids, it provides the nutrients aging skin often lacks.

It also creates a breathable, wax-free layer that supports skin’s natural function without clogging pores or feeling greasy.

Hormonal Changes: Menopause, Postpartum, and More

Hormones play a huge role in skin health. During menopause, for example, estrogen levels drop and with them, collagen and oil production.

The result? Drier, thinner skin that may even feel itchy or appear crepey.

Postpartum women often experience similar issues, as hormone fluctuations and the demands of new motherhood can leave skin depleted and reactive.

The good news?

Supporting your skin topically with a product that doesn’t just sit on the surface, but actually nourishes it, is a gentle way to bring comfort without overcomplicating your routine.

That’s why so many women tell us they’ve swapped out their drawer of synthetic creams for one jar of our tallow moisturizer.

Chronic Conditions: When Skin Is an Afterthought

While we can’t and won’t make health claims, we do know this: conditions that affect circulation, like diabetes and heart disease, often show up in the skin first.

When your extremities (hands, feet, lower legs) aren’t getting the blood flow they once did, the skin in those areas may become especially dry, dull, or prone to cracking.

People going through cancer treatment may also notice major shifts in their skin, both from the treatment itself and the stress on the body.

In these cases, tallow’s naturally rich composition may offer a gentle, non-irritating option for daily moisture.

With no artificial fragrances, fillers, or preservatives, it’s about as simple and clean as skincare gets.

Why Water-Based Lotions Often Fall Short

Most store-bought lotions are mostly water (check the first ingredient on the label). That water evaporates quickly, and with it goes any feeling of hydration.

Add in alcohols, preservatives, and synthetic fragrances, and you're often left reapplying all day, wondering why your skin still feels dry.

Tallow, on the other hand, is oil-based. It doesn’t need to be locked in with anything, it is the lock.

When made properly, like we do here at Nefertem, it melts into your skin, mimicking the oils your body already produces.

What Makes Nefertem’s Tallow Different?

We’ve been crafting tallow skincare since 2012, well before the trends and hashtags.

And while many brands have popped up in the years since, very few go to the lengths we do to ensure quality.

We use a Triple Filter & Cure™ process to render our tallow:

• Filtered three times for purity
• Cured for weeks to stabilize and mellow scent
• Blended only with organic oils, essential oils, and herbs

Every batch is made by hand in our family workshop in Park Forest, Illinois.

No plastic packaging, no synthetic junk.

Just time-tested ingredients, made the old-fashioned way.

Real Life, Real Stories

We’ve heard from thousands of customers over the years: parents, teachers, retirees, farmers, nurses, who’ve told us that switching to tallow skincare changed the way their skin feels.

Some were just tired of reapplying lotion every hour.

Others wanted something more natural for themselves or their families. Many were simply done with products that overpromised and underdelivered.

And while we don’t promise miracles, we do promise this: our tallow skincare works the way real skin needs it to.

Especially during the transitions: seasonal, hormonal, or otherwise, when your skin starts asking for more.

When to Moisturize (and When to Switch)

Whether it’s October’s first frost or a shift in your health, your skin will tell you when it needs more moisture.

Here are a few signs it might be time to level up:

• Your current lotion disappears within an hour
• Skin feels tight, flaky, or itchy, even after moisturizing
• You’re layering multiple products to get relief
• Dryness around your elbows, knees, or lower legs
• Sensitivity to synthetic ingredients or fragrances

When that happens, consider switching to a tallow-based moisturizer, one rich in nutrients and free of junk.

We’ve made it easy to start with our Tallow Skincare Bundle, which includes all our bestsellers.

Final Thoughts: You Don’t Have to Settle for Dry Skin

Life changes. Weather shifts. Hormones do their thing.

And through it all, your skin is with you every day: protecting, sensing, reacting.

When it starts to feel tight, dry, or uncomfortable, it’s not just cosmetic. It’s communication.

At Nefertem, we believe in honoring that.

We believe in offering skincare that’s as intentional as it is effective, and we’ve been doing it since 2012.

So if your skin’s been asking for more lately, listen.

And let nature answer, with a little help from tallow.