Tallow: what it is and how we turn it into a balm

Every time we make a new batch, we think it again: what great stuff this is. Tallow doesn’t come from a lab. It’s just fat. And yet on your skin it feels like it belongs there.

What is tallow?

Beef kidney fat. The fat that sits around a cow’s kidneys. Your grandma knows it as suet (in Dutch: “ossewit”), and she probably cooked with it. It’s firmer and cleaner than other fat from the animal, and it barely smells of anything. People used to rub it on everything, from dry hands to squeaky doors.

Want to know more about why it’s so good for your skin? Read [About tallow].

Where our fat comes from

From cattle that eat nothing but grass their whole lives, in Dutch nature reserves. No barn, no feed pellets. You can tell from the fat: it’s softer, creamier and naturally full of vitamins A, D, E and K.

What we do with it

The fat arrives with us as melted tallow. We filter it once more, until only clear, clean fat is left.

Then we mix in organic jojoba oil, plus something extra depending on the balm: beeswax, zinc or a plant extract. Once it’s cooled, we whip it until it’s soft and airy. While singing, by the way. Really. Good vibes in, good balm out. ;)

Then it goes into the jars, by hand. That’s why not every batch looks exactly the same. Sometimes a little more yellow, sometimes a little firmer. That’s how it should be.

How do you use it?

You really only need a tiny bit. A pea-sized amount is enough for your whole face. Warm it between your fingers until it melts, then press it onto your skin. If your skin is still slightly damp, for example after a shower, it sinks in beautifully.

We basically put it everywhere. On our faces at night, on dry hands and cuticles, on our lips, on elbows and knees. Tip for rough feet: slather it on, socks on, off to bed. The next morning you’ll want to stroke your own feet.

Why people stick with it

The best messages come from people who’d already tried everything. They tell us: finally something that just feels good. No fuss, no long ingredient list. Just a really good jar of fat.

Every skin is different, so try it on a small patch first. Or start with a tester, so you know for sure.