Why Tallow
Tallow might sound unusual at first, but it's one of the best (and natural) choices you can make for your skin.
Tallow from grass fed cattle is rich in skin loving vitamins and fatty acids. It closely resembles the oils your skin already makes, which is why it absorbs so well and keeps skin soft, calm, and hydrated.
This page explains what tallow is, why grass fed matters, and why we chose to build our entire skincare line around it.
What Is Tallow?
Tallow is purified fat from the nutrient dense suet that surrounds the kidneys of cattle.
The suet is gently rendered and filtered until it becomes a clean, stable fat that can be used in cooking, traditional remedies, and skincare.
It is very different from the leftover grease in a pan of ground beef. That is muscle fat aka trim fat, not suet.
For skincare, suet based tallow is prized because of its unique structure and nutrient profile.
WHY GRASS FED TALLOW SPECIFICALLY
Not all tallow is the same.
Tallow from grass fed, grass finished cattle contains higher levels of important nutrients than tallow from factory farmed, grain fed animals.
A natural life on pasture, sunshine, and grass changes the fat in a way that matters.
High quality, grass fed tallow contains:
- Vitamins A, D, E, and K
- Vitamin B12
- Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)
- A balanced blend of saturated and monounsaturated fats
These components support skin barrier health, elasticity, and hydration in a way most modern synthetic ingredients cannot match.
This is why we only use grass fed, grass finished suet from small Midwest farms that avoid hormones, steroids, and antibiotics.
WHY TALLOW WORKS SO WELL ON SKIN
Tallow is not just another heavy butter.
It is uniquely compatible with human skin because its fatty acid profile looks very similar to our own sebum.
That similarity allows tallow to:
- Absorb deeply instead of sitting on top of the skin.
- Support the skin barrier so it can protect and repair itself.
- Help balance moisture levels on both dry and combination skin.
- Leave a soft, nourished feel rather than a greasy film.
Tallow is thick enough for rough patches and heels, yet gentle enough for sensitive areas and even baby skin when used in a simple formula.
Because tallow is naturally rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and CLA, it does more than just moisturize.
It feeds the skin with building blocks that support long term resilience.
THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE HONEST TRUTH
Like any powerful ingredient, tallow has tradeoffs.
The good:
- Deep, lasting hydration.
- Nutrient dense and naturally rich in antioxidants.
- Compatible with most skin types, even sensitive skin.
The hard parts:
- Tallow is rich and a little goes a long way.
- It is sensitive to extreme heat and should be stored with care.
The honest truth:
- Tallow comes from animals, so it is not a fit for everyone.
We respect that choice.
If you prefer plant based only, tallow will not be right for you. If you are open to using carefully sourced animal ingredients that honor the whole animal and support regenerative farms, tallow can be an incredible ally for your skin.
For a deeper look at the good, the bad, and the ugly of tallow, you can read our long form article, “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly of Using Tallow on Your Skin.”
WHY WE CHOSE TALLOW FOR OUR FAMILY
When we first heard about using tallow on skin, we had the same reaction most people do.
It sounded strange and a little gross.
Then we researched the history, looked at the science behind its composition, and decided to try it anyway.
Once we rendered our first batch of tallow and used it in a simple moisturizer and bar of soap, the difference was obvious.
The texture on our own skin was better, our son’s irritated skin calmed down, and we did not get the greasy feel we expected.
That experience is what inspired us to build Nefertem on tallow as our main ingredient and to keep our formulas aligned with that original intention, simple, pure, and effective.
WHY NEFERTEM TALLOW IS DIFFERENT
Tallow is having a moment now, but we have been working with it for more than 15 years and making tallow skincare as a business since 2012.
What makes our tallow different:
- Suet from three small, Midwest, grass fed, grass finished farms.
- No artificial hormones, steroids, or antibiotics.
- Hand rendered, triple filtered, and cured by our family in house.
- Firm, clean tallow with a very mild scent and stable texture.
We combine this tallow with organic, unrefined plant oils, herbs, and pure essential oils to create moisturizers, soaps, and balms that stay as close to nature as possible.
If you would like to see more about how we render and cure our tallow, you will be able to explore our “How We Make Our Tallow” page, which walks through our process from suet to finished ingredient.
HOW TALLOW FITS INTO A MODERN SKINCARE ROUTINE
Tallow is not a trend ingredient for us. It is the base of our everyday routine.
You can use tallow based products to:
- Replace your daily moisturizer
- Support dry or stressed skin during seasonal changes
- Soothe rough hands, feet, and elbows
- Care for sensitive, reactive, or maturing skin with fewer ingredients
A small amount goes a long way. Most people find they need much less product than conventional lotions and creams.
THE SHORT ANSWER TO WHY TALLOW
Tallow is one of the most compatible, nutrient rich ingredients you can put on your skin.
Grass fed tallow, rendered with care, offers deep hydration, a simple ingredient list, and a way to connect modern skincare with traditional wisdom.
For us, that combination of history, science, and lived experience is why we still choose tallow for our own family and for every jar that leaves our workshop.
WANT TO GO DEEPER INTO THE SCIENCE & STORY OF TALLOW?
If you want to dive into every detail, we have written more in depth resources:
“Beef Tallow For Skin, Who Knew”
“The Good, The Bad and The Ugly of Using Tallow on Your Skin”
Those articles cover the history, science, fat composition, CLA, and more. This Why Tallow page gives you the clear overview.
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