My Neighbor's Tallow X MĀSK Skincare

I was walking around at my usual Farmer's Market one Saturday morning, and I noticed a stand with the word "Tallow" on it. I had tried a few products with this ingredient, and I kept seeing it everywhere. So I walked up to the founder, and 30 minutes later a collaboration was born.

My Neighbor's Tallow, created by Harri,  was born from a desire to craft the highest quality, all natural skincare products from locally-sourced agriculture. Her daughter had been suffering from eczema, and when she considered balms and ointments offered on today’s market, she found a skincare industry saturated with products containing chemicals and toxic fillers, and she wanted a balm with simple, sustainable, and safe ingredients. 

Our stories were so similar and our mission was the same. Creating beautiful, clean and effective products and educate on clean beauty.

 

What is tallow? 

Tallow is a rendered form of animal fat–typically from cows or sheeps–that has been used for centuries in soap, candles, cosmetics, and cleansers. Personal care products with tallow tend to be gentle on skin, foam up beautifully, and deliver occlusive moisture without irritation. 

 

The skin benefits of tallow: 

While the use of tallow in household products is not new, there has been a renewed focus on the benefits of tallow in clean skincare. For many devotees who have just discovered tallow, the benefits are myriad. 

 

Helps to soothe inflammation 

For those suffering from irritated or inflamed skin, adding non-toxic beauty products containing tallow may help soothe inflammation, thanks to its high concentration of linoleic and oleic acids. These fatty acids occur naturally in tallow and are renowned for their skin-soothing abilities:

Not only are they high in antioxidants to help combat free radical damage, but they help repair and moisturize skin, leaving it calmer and more balanced overall. According to the National Institutes of Health, “Topically, it is of notable significance that tallow may increase fatty acid concentration in the skin.” 

Those with skin conditions like acne, rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis may benefit especially well from tallow’s soothing properties. 

Moisturizes skin 

Tallow works to moisturize dry skin and is well received by those with sensitive skin, as well. Tallow contains high levels of Vitamins A, D, E, K, and B12, which penetrate the skin and provide long-lasting hydration. 

The Mayo Clinic notes, “Since the composition of beef tallow is similar to natural oils produced by skin, it can be used as a moisturizer and is gentle on sensitive skin. [It]  has anti-inflammatory benefits that help lock in moisture and reduce oxidation, which, along with the fat-soluble vitamins in beef tallow, may improve skin’s elasticity and overall healthy appearance when applied topically.” 

 

Promotes healthy skin barrier function 

With its high concentration of fatty acids and an occlusive texture, tallow also promotes healthy skin barrier function. The Omega fatty acids help to strengthen skin cells, leading to a skin barrier that prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL).

This keeps much-needed water within the skin instead of allowing it to evaporate; the occlusive nature of tallow further locks in hydration, leading to plumper looking, more hydrated and smooth skin. When the skin’s barrier function is healthy, skin looks and feels calm, moisturized, and healthy. Perhaps even more critical? A healthy skin barrier prevents germs and other irritants from entering through the skin, protecting our overall health. 

 

Tallow does not clog pores 

It may seem hard to believe, but because tallow closely mimics our skin’s own sebum, it is often very well received by all skin types without clogging pores. Instead, it works to moisturize, soothe, and nourish skin–even acne-prone skin. Skin absorbs tallow as it would our own sebum, allowing it to balance skin with each application.

Our beautiful Sea Buckthorn, Geranium and Rosehip Oil is launching this Fall!