Why use tallow for skincare?

Why use tallow for skincare?

For centuries, people have been using tallow for skin care, long before the advent of modern skincare products. Tallow is rendered animal fat, usually from beef or lamb. It was highly valued for its moisturizing properties and was used to protect and heal the skin.

 

Today, the skincare industry is dominated by products made from seed oils and various chemicals, many of which have been linked to cancer and other health problems. One of the reasons tallow fell out of favor was the rise of the belief that saturated fats were unhealthy, and consumers were told to avoid them.

 

This is why we started making our own tallow lotion, first as a baby balm when we were unable to find products that didn't contain seed oils or other undesirable ingredients and then expanding our line to include a wide range of saturated fat based products.

 

Recent research has shown that polyunsaturated fats, which are commonly found in seed oils, can speed up aging and damage the skin when they are oxidized by exposure to air and sunlight, or by natural processes in our body. This is because oxidized fats create free radicals, which can cause cellular damage and inflammation, leading to premature aging and disease. In fact, increased consumption of polyunsaturated fats from seed oils and decreased consumption of saturated fats is highly correlated to the increase in cancer rates and heart disease.

 

The use of seed oils has also been correlated with the increase in skin cancer. This is because they contain high levels of linoleic acid, which has been shown to promote the growth of cancer cells in the skin.

 

 

source: https://reallytanman.substack.com/p/seed-oils-the-real-cause-of-skin

 

On the other hand, tallow is composed mostly of saturated fats, which are stable and resist oxidation. This means that they are less likely to create free radicals and cause damage to the skin. Additionally, tallow is rich in nutrients like vitamins E, A, and K, as well as magnesium and other minerals, which can help nourish and protect the skin.

 

It's important to note that even if a skincare product is labeled as organic, it doesn't mean it's safe from lipid peroxidation. Lipid peroxidation occurs when the fats in a product become oxidized, creating free radicals that can cause damage to the skin and body. Our body uses vitamins E and C, and a powerful antioxidant called glutathione, to protect against the damage caused by lipid peroxidation. That is why many skincare products add vitamin E as a preservative, but by the time you use the product it may already be depleted by oxidation

 

Furthermore, many "all-natural" skincare brands use highly unsaturated oils that are even more vulnerable to peroxidation, such as hemp seed or argan oil. These oils are high in omega 3 polyunsaturated fats and are extremely prone to oxidation, making them a poor choice for skincare. That's why when you buy high omega 3 oils, they are usually very carefully produced at cold temperatures with minimal oxygen exposure, in opaque bottles and kept refrigerated. If they have to be kept cold to stay fresh, what happens when you eat them or apply them to your skin when your body is 98F?

 

It's important to remember that the skin is the body's largest organ, and what you absorb in your skin goes directly into your bloodstream. Just as you would avoid eating oxidized oils high in polyunsaturated fats, you should also avoid putting them on your skin.

 

 

If you're just learning the truth about seed oils and how they've directly contributed to the last century of chronic disease and obesity, the important first step is to learn how to avoid them. This means returning to traditional fats with higher saturated and monounsaturated fat, and the lowest linoleic acid and omega 3 content like tallow, butter, olive oil, duck and chicken fat.

 

Tallow a safe and effective alternative to modern skincare products that often contain harmful chemicals and seed oils. By choosing skincare products made with tallow or other stable fats, you can nourish and protect your skin without the risk of harmful side effects.

 

At Naturally Connected Life, every product is handmade in small batches using fresh tallow from small family farms, to ensure purity and freshness. Check out some of our favorite products in our online shop!
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