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1) What is tallow?

Tallow is rendered beef fat. Tallow can be rendered from suet fat or soft fat. The suet is the highly-valued, nutrient-dense fat from around the kidneys & internal organs of the animal, which is a harder/firm fat and is prized for skincare applications. We use suet in our formulations. Soft fat is simply the softer fat from other parts of the animal (such as the fat in a ribeye steak or chuck roast).

2) Why Thompson's Tallow? What makes Thompson’s Tallow unique?

Our formulations with the Abyssinian oil distinction! Tallow skincare made from the firm suet fat requires an oil to soften the tallow for skincare applications. Our flagship oil used in our products is organic, cold-pressed Abyssinian oil – recently suggested as the beauty industry’s “best kept secret.” Thompson’s Tallow is the first to introduce tallow skincare utilizing this amazing oil as the primary carrier oil. What is so wonderful about Abyssinian oil? SO MUCH! This lesser-known, “skintastic” oil is incredibly lightweight and non-greasy with rapid absorption properties, making it an excellent choice to combine with tallow. It is naturally a very stable oil that is highly-resistant to oxidation and heat breakdown which keeps it from going rancid as quickly as many other oils do. Its distinct blend and high concentration of fatty acids and antioxidants makes it a superior, protective moisturizer and emollient. It’s a very gentle oil which is unlikely to irritate sensitive skin. It’s also more sustainable than many other oils, as it can be cultivated in dry regions and requires fewer resources to grow the plant. Last, it is non-comedogenic, so it will not clog pores. Need we say more? ABYSSINIAN OIL IS AWESOME! We are also committed to quality and supporting USA regenerative farming and small business. We believe in ingredient transparency as well and disclose all ingredients in our product listings and on the labels.

3) What was the Thompson's Tallow approach/process?

We began with taking the time to research tallow and experiment with all kinds of formulations – we did not just throw ingredients into a mixer to make a quick balm. We wanted a thoughtfully-designed product containing the “tallow superstar” (of course) but also some other top skin-benefitting products from nature. After months of developing our product, we created fantastic balms with specially-selected ingredients that we are confident our customers will love! We believe our hard work has resulted in the FINEST FORMULAS for SUPERIOR SKIN!

4) What happens if my tallow balm melts?

Our all-natural balms do NOT contain any artificial/synthetic emulsifiers, stabilizers or preservatives. Tallow is naturally temperature-sensitive and will be firmer in cool temperatures and softer in warm temperatures. If exposed to heat or direct sunlight (such as sitting in a hot vehicle or mailbox or on a porch), whipped tallow can soften or melt or mildly "deflate" or experience texture changes; this is just the nature of unadulterated tallow that does not have added synthetic stabilizers, etc. However, melting does NOT RUIN the product or diminish its skin-nourishing properties. It will still be a balm once brought back to room temperature, but it will have a different texture. Please be aware of this when ordering in hot summer months or if you live in a hot climate. Some oil separation can occur also as the product sets or experiences temperature fluctuations since no synthetic emulsifiers are used, but again, this does not diminish the effectiveness of the product, and it will still melt into the skin when applied. These issues do not make the product damaged or defective. If desired, you may re-whip the product. You can simply allow the product to come to room temperature & then scoop it out of the jar into a small bowl & re-whip with an electric hand mixer for about 15-30 seconds (like whipping frosting). Then return the product to the jar and keep stored in a cool, dry place or in the fridge. Unfortunately, we have no control over the temperature & weather conditions that the product may go through on its way to you. This issue impacts all truly-natural tallow-based skin products.

5) Will tallow make my skin break out?

For most people, tallow is not known to cause breakouts. It is low on the comedogenic scale. Many people battling acne have used tallow skincare. Of course, always perform a skin patch test when trying any new skincare product (even all-natural ones), as everyone’s skin is different, and sensitivity levels vary. If you have any medical skin concerns, please consult your licensed medical practitioner.

6) Is your tallow cosmetic grade?

"Cosmetic grade" is not an official certification obtained from a regulatory agency or certifying organization for tallow, so we do not use this term. Very simply, quality tallow that is properly rendered and purified is suitable for skin application and has been used for skincare throughout history.

7) Will my skin feel greasy?

If the skin feels greasy after applying, it is most likely because too much product was used or there was not enough time allowed for full absorption. Each person's skin is different - some having more dryness than others. It may take some experimenting to find the appropriate amount for your skin. Normally, a little will go a long way, but adjust your usage according to your particular skin. Tallow is a thicker/heavier product than water-based lotions & creams that you may be used to, so if the tallow balm still feels too heavy for you even after applying very-sparingly, then you may want to consider using the product as a night cream.

8) Will I smell like beef?

The short answer is a definite NO! We would not want our customers to smell like a steak or hamburger! When quality beef tallow is properly rendered and filtered, the “beef” scent is greatly reduced. Once fully rendered, tallow by itself does have a mild/light, inherent scent that is described differently by different people (everyone's nose picks up on different scents)! Natural tallow is not going to be 100% odor-free with zero scent unless some type of synthetic deodorizing process is used (it is an unadulterated product of nature after all). But NO off-putting beefy smells here!

9) Where is your tallow sourced from?

Thompson's Tallow sources our tallow from regenerative family farms in the Midwest and Southeast regions of the USA (where we have roots) that raise 100% grass-fed and grass-finished cows. No pesticides, herbicides, added hormones, antibiotics, GMOs or mRNA.

10) What rendering method do you use?

Our tallow is dry-rendered which is a historic, time-honored tradition. Dry-rendering at carefully-controlled temperatures preserves the nutrient content of the tallow and maintains the fatty acid profile naturally occurring in the fat. Also, by not introducing water into the tallow, the potential for undesirable microbial growth is reduced; the anhydrous formula does not require a synthetic preservative.

11) What skin conditions have people used tallow for?

Many people with the following skin issues have used tallow skincare products: dry skin, eczema, psoriasis, flaking, cracking, redness & inflammation, acne, rosacea, melasma, hyperpigmentation, fine lines & wrinkles, crepiness, loose skin/sagging, scarring/stretch marks, dullness, dark spots/hyperpigmentation, razor burn, uneven skin tone, and more. This product is not intended to treat, cure, or prevent any medical skin condition. Always consult with your licensed medical provider regarding any medical condition – including skin conditions or concerns.

12) What concentration of essential oils are in your products?

Most all products are under 1% concentration, but none exceeds 1.5%. We use only pure, uncut/undiluted essential oils/absolutes.

13) Why does my balm seem to smell somewhat different than last time?

Our balms are handcrafted products of nature, and as such, there can be slight variations in scent from batch to batch, as essential oils can vary in scent from season to season or depending on the region the material was grown in, etc. For example, neroli (orange blossom) essential oil can vary in scent depending on if it’s from Egypt, Sicily, Morocco, or Florida. The same goes for any other essential oil. Therefore, even though we make our products to the same specifications from batch to batch, we cannot guarantee that there won’t be slight variations.

14) Why is the color of my balm somewhat different than last time?

Again, our balms are handcrafted products of nature, and tallow can naturally range in color from yellow to white, depending on various factors such as cattle breed, time of year, age of the animal, and types of grasses fed to the cattle. Therefore, the final product color can have slight variations from batch to batch. This is completely normal.

15) How do I use my Thompson's Tallow balm?

We like to tell our customers that a little goes a LONG way! Because our product is a balm, the consistency is thicker than a lotion or cream, so a small amount will cover more surface area of the skin. We always recommend patch-testing an area such as the forearm or wrist first to see how your skin will respond to the product.

FOR THE FACE (Bakuchiol Beauty Balm or all Basic Balms) - For ladies and clean-shaven men: use a massage-like (light/medium pressure), circular motion to spread the balm over your skin, gently promoting absorption. For those guys with a 5 o’clock shadow or a beard: simply use a small amount of product and rub into your beard until absorbed. The tallow will soften the hair and soothe the skin!
FOR THE BODY (All Basic Balms) – Again, starting with a small amount of product, simply rub or massage into the areas of the skin that need attention. You will be able to determine if an area needs more or less product. Your balm can be used on the full body or specific problem areas such as elbows, heels, knees, feet, hands, cuticles, etc.
Once application is completed, the balm will absorb into the skin within a few minutes. If any greasy feeling remains or is taking longer to absorb, it is likely that too much product was used. Next time, try less. However, everyone’s skin is different, so do a little experimenting and use the amount of balm that works for you!

16) What is the shelf life of my tallow balm?

Product is best used within 6 months if stored in a cool/dry place, but storing in refrigeration may extend shelf life up to 1 year.

*None of these statements have been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration.