Hey friends, Gubba here. If you follow me on socials, you know I am passionate about skincare. This stems from my own skincare journey, but also from helping family members heal their skin.
For years, I believed the glowing marketing promises of store-bought moisturizers. Labels like “ultra-hydrating,” “anti-aging,” and “dermatologist approved” convinced me that these creams and lotions would heal my skin.
Honestly, the biggest joke of those has to be “dermatologist approved.” Like wow, approved by a person who went to a Rockefeller school and was taught to push an agenda…that means NOTHING!
And the reality? My skin was constantly dry, irritated, and dependent on reapplication. The more I used, the worse my skin seemed to behave. It felt like I was locked in a cycle, and the only ones benefiting were the companies behind those fancy bottles.
That’s when I decided to dig deeper. What I discovered shocked me: the very products meant to nourish my skin were often filled with petroleum derivatives, hormone disruptors, and lab-made fillers. That discovery pushed me toward a more ancestral, homestead solution—tallow balm.
It makes me wonder about the cause of the rise in infertility…could it possibly be linked to all of the hormone-disrupters we are slathering on day-to-day?
After years of using tallow, I’ll never go back. Let me explain why.
The Problem with Store-Bought Moisturizers
Hidden Chemicals in “Clean Beauty”
Even moisturizers marketed as “natural” or “clean” often contain long lists of synthetic ingredients. Preservatives, stabilizers, and artificial fragrances might keep the product shelf-stable, but they do little to actually feed your skin.
It’s insane because the market knew people were catching onto their toxic chemical goop, so they decided to make a jump for “clean” products, but oftentimes, these products are not clean at all. In some cases, they are even worse than the original.
A 2019 study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found that many skincare products contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals, including parabens and phthalates, which can mimic hormones in the body and potentially disrupt our delicate natural balance.
Petroleum Byproducts on Your Skin
Petroleum jelly and mineral oil are two of the most common moisturizing agents in drugstore lotions. While they form a barrier on the skin, they don’t provide nutrients. Instead, they block pores and trap toxins.
It’s deceptive as well because you think “Oh! Mineral oil must be good because it has “mineral” in the name.” That couldn’t be further from the truth. It is just another ingredient to help the skincare giants turn junk into profit.
One paper in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology noted that occlusive agents like mineral oil “reduce transepidermal water loss” but do not contribute to skin barrier repair or nutrition.
The Dependence Cycle
Have you ever wondered why your skin feels drier if you stop using lotion? That’s no accident. Many moisturizers trick your skin into feeling hydrated while preventing your sebaceous glands from regulating naturally. Over time, you need more and more just to maintain balance.
This is true with lip balms as well. I remember being addicted to lip balms when I was in middle school. My younger self didn’t know that was because the lip balms were continually causing my lips to be dry resulting in more applications. Seriously, I went through tons!
The Homestead Alternative — Tallow Balm
When I first learned about tallow, I was blown away. After all, the beauty industry never talks about it. But once I researched its nutritional profile and historical use, I realized why it worked so well for generations before us (and why they don’t want us to use it!)
I mean, I still see dermatologists trying to downplay tallow. But at the same time, they’re in their offices prescribing toxic poison to people for their skin. Have you ever heard of Accutane? What clowns honestly.
Ancestral Skincare Secrets
Before modern cosmetics, families relied on what was available from nature—fats, oils, herbs, and simple balms. Tallow, rendered from grass-fed beef fat, was a staple for skin healing and nourishment.
This is what my grandma used, and her skin was glowing!
The Nutrient Power of Tallow
What sets tallow apart is that it mirrors the lipids naturally found in human skin. This makes it highly bioavailable—your body recognizes it as “food.”
Tallow is rich in:
- Vitamin A (essential for cell turnover and healing)
- Vitamin D (important for skin immunity and repair)
- Vitamin E (a powerful antioxidant that protects against free radical damage)
- Vitamin K (supports elasticity and skin tone)
- Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) with anti-inflammatory properties
- Stearic and oleic acids that deeply moisturize without clogging pores
A 2020 review in Nutrients highlighted the role of fat-soluble vitamins in skin health, emphasizing their importance in protecting against oxidative stress and supporting repair.
Why Skin Loves It
Unlike synthetic creams, tallow doesn’t just sit on your skin. It penetrates deeply, helping restore the lipid barrier and offering true hydration at the cellular level.
No constant reapplications because it is actually nourishing your skin.
Curious to try the same balm I use? You can find it here: Arvoti Whipped Tallow Balm.
My Results After Switching to Tallow Balm
Clearer, Calmer Skin
Within weeks, my skin tone evened out, redness faded, and I noticed fewer breakouts. A study in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences links bioavailable fatty acids—like those found in tallow—to reduced inflammation in skin conditions. I can see that in myself! Looking at previous photos, wow!
Not only that, I had a previous dermatologist say I had minor rosacea—not anymore!
Long-Lasting Hydration
Instead of applying lotion multiple times a day, I now use balm once in the morning and once at night. My skin stays hydrated, smooth, and supple all day long. If I feel like I need more, I’ll apply whenever with peace of mind knowing I’m not poisoning my body.
Healing Beyond the Face
I began using it on dry elbows, cracked hands, and even little patches of random skin ailments. Every time, my skin healed faster than with any store-bought cream I had tried before.
Real User Experiences
It’s not just me who’s seen results. Here’s what others have said about using this balm:
“I love the scent of this. The clove perhaps. The ritual of applying this (a little goes a long way) is so peaceful. It helps my 61-year-old crepey arms feel smoother and just healthy. Like a drink of water for my skin.”
“This stuff is amazing. I have used other products in the past and they would make me breakout…but not this face cream. It makes my face look glowy and I love the scent.”
These testimonials echo what I’ve found—tallow balm doesn’t just moisturize, it transforms.
How to Make the Switch
Start Small
Replace your nightly moisturizer with tallow balm. Notice how your skin feels in the morning—hydrated, soft, and alive.
Expect an Adjustment
Your skin might take a week or two to detox from synthetic creams. Be patient—most people see long-term improvement as their skin barrier restores itself naturally.
Choose High-Quality Tallow
Not all tallow is the same. Look for grass-fed, carefully rendered tallow without seed oils, fragrances, or fillers. That’s exactly why I created Arvoti Whipped Tallow Balm—a balm I trust on my skin and my family’s because I handcraft it myself in small batches!
Why tallow is the best moisturizer
Looking back, I realize I wasn’t actually nourishing my skin with store-bought moisturizers—I was just masking the problem. Switching to tallow balm gave me real hydration, healing, and balance.
This isn’t about following a trend. It’s about reclaiming an ancestral practice that worked for centuries. On my homestead, I trust what’s simple, natural, and effective. And my skin has never been healthier.
If you’re ready to break free from the chemical cycle, start with one jar of tallow balm.
Try it today: Arvoti Whipped Tallow Balm.
Because your skin deserves real nourishment, not another empty promise in a plastic bottle.
5 Frequently Asked Questions About Tallow Balm
Q1: Will tallow balm clog my pores?
No. Because tallow’s fatty acid profile closely matches human sebum, it absorbs easily without clogging pores. Many people report fewer breakouts after switching.
Q2: Does it smell like beef?
Not at all. Properly rendered tallow has a neutral base, and when blended with gentle essential oils, it has a subtle, calming scent.
Q3: Is it safe for sensitive skin?
Yes. Tallow is naturally hypoallergenic and often helps people with eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis. Always patch test if you’re unsure.
Q4: How long does a jar last?
A little goes a long way. Most people find that a single jar lasts several months, even with daily use.
Q5: Why is tallow better than plant oils?
Many plant oils are unstable and oxidize quickly. They also are not biosimilar and can lead to persistent breakouts. Tallow is stable, nutrient-rich, and far more compatible with our skin’s biology.
