Frequently Asked Questions – Products

vintage TRADITION product faq

What is tallow?

Tallow is gently rendered animal oil, usually from cows or sheep. Our ancestors overwhelmingly used tallow to care for their skin until animal products fell out of fashion and were replaced with chemicals, petroleum products, chemically fractionated plant products, and synthetic vitamins.

Why do you use tallow?

We use tallow because it is nature’s original skin care product and works better than the man-made products that began to replace it in the 20th century. Modern-day research has confirmed the traditional wisdom of our ancestors. Tallow contains abundant natural fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) and fat-soluble activators, which are found only in animal fats and which all promote skin health. Tallow also contains fats like conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which has anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties, and palmitoleic acid, which has natural antimicrobial properties. No plant-based skin care ingredient or product can remotely compare to tallow in its power to nourish and heal the skin. This fact is not surprising since we are animals and not plants.

Where do you obtain your tallow?

We obtain it from Larga Vista Ranch, Maytag Mountain Ranch, Music Meadows Ranch, and other ranches where the cows are beyond organic and 100% grass-fed, which is important for the superior therapeutic value of our balm. Tallow from cows that are only fed grass has a better mineral and micronutrient profile, including higher levels of vitamins. For example, one study found that grass-fed cows have four times the vitamin E of grain-fed cows. Also important to the nutritional value of the tallow, as well as important to us personally, is that “our” cows are happy and healthy, humanely raised without cruel feed lots and cruel slaughterhouses.

Why do you include olive oil?

Since ancient times, olive oil has been considered a healing salve for the skin due to its soothing, cleansing, and moisturizing properties. We now know that these properties are, in part, a result of olive oil’s high levels of antioxidants, like vitamin E, carotenoids, and oleuropein, in addition to its anti-cancer properties.

Where do you obtain your olive oil?

We obtain it from Chaffin Family Orchards in Oroville, California. The olive oil is extra virgin and cold-pressed from estate-grown heirloom Mission olives, and it is produced at beyond organic standards.

Why do you include essential oils?

The essential oils used in our products have a long-standing tradition of being healing to the skin, and they are expertly blended to promote optimal skin health. They also give our balms a fresh, pleasant scent. We only use Young Living Therapeutic Grade™ essential oils since they are the most pure and are produced to the highest standards of any essential oils we’ve found. They are steam-distilled from plants grown at or beyond organic standards and are not adulterated, extended, synthesized, or distilled using chemicals or high temperatures and pressure.

Is your balm greasy?

Our balm is readily absorbed by the skin. Therefore, applying the balm does not result in a greasy look or feel. It is taken up by the skin as nourishment and softens the skin quickly. If your skin feels greasy after applying, you are applying too much. Remember that a little goes a long way.

What is the shelf life of your balm?

All of the ingredients of our balm are very shelf-stable. For longer shelf life, keep the jar tightly capped. We have been keeping one of our balms at room temperature for years now, and it’s still just like it was when we made it. Nevertheless, for long-term storage, any jars you aren’t currently using can be kept in the refrigerator.

Why does your balm vary in color, consistency, and scent?

Our balm is not chemically engineered to be always the same, which is a good thing! The ingredients come directly from nature and not from a laboratory. Therefore, our balm can vary from batch to batch in color, consistency, and scent. The principal ingredient of our balm is tallow, which varies according to the season, the animal, and other conditions. It is a characteristic of a truly natural product to vary because of many different factors. In addition, the balm is hand-made, not machine-made. Finally, tallow is more solid at lower temperatures and softer at higher temperatures. If you let your balm get so hot that it melts, it will be harder when it re-solidifies, but it will still be perfectly usable and won’t lose any of its effectiveness.

How can I make my own custom scent?

To make your own custom scent, you can try stirring the essential oil(s) of your choice into our “totally unscented” balm. You can also try adding extra essential oil to one of the scented varieties.

Which variety of balm is best for babies or small children?

You may wish to use “totally unscented” or “almost unscented”. The essential oils in “almost unscented” (lavender, cedarwood, and sandalwood) are among those generally regarded as being more than gentle enough for use with babies and small children.

How is your balm packaged?

Our balm is packaged in recyclable glass jars with a recyclable BPA-free plastic lid which doesn’t come in contact with the balm.