TALLOW & TRADITION

At Kootenay Tallow Bar, tallow is the foundation of everything we make. It’s local, nourishing, traditional, and effective.

What is tallow?

Tallow is rendered fat from grass-fed or pasture-raised animals - specifically the beef suet, the nutrient-rich fat found around the kidneys. Unlike standard trim fat, suet produces a cleaner, milder, and more stable tallow - ideal for skincare.

Rendering is the process of gently heating raw fat to separate the pure, nourishing fat from any connective tissue or impurities. At Kootenay Tallow Bar, we use a traditional dry rendering method - no water or additives, just low heat and time.

The result is a clean, shelf-stable fat with a creamy texture and a mild, natural, buttery scent.

Why we use it

Tallow is uniquely compatible with human skin. Its fatty acid profile closely mirrors our own skin’s sebum, making it incredibly effective for restoring moisture, supporting the skin barrier, and soothing sensitive or dry skin.

Benefits for your skin

  • Deeply moisturizing and long-lasting

  • Supports barrier repair and promotes elasticity

  • Won't clog pores

  • Helps soothe dry, irritated, or sensitive skin

  • Safe and effective for all ages - truly all-purpose

Our process

We create every product with intention, starting with our slow-rendered tallow as the central ingredient.

Every balm is hand-poured, never whipped, to maintain the integrity of the tallow and extend its shelf life. We blend it with certified organic oils (like jojoba, coconut, and olive), and botanicals, some wild-sourced from our local landscape, for added nourishment and purpose.

Our soaps are made using the traditional cold process method, allowing us to craft naturally firm bars with a rich, creamy lather and 100% pure ingredients.

A time-tested ingredient

Tallow has been used for centuries around the world in both skincare and food. Traditional cultures prized it for its stability, nutrient content, and its ability to protect and restore skin under harsh conditions.

While modern skincare leans heavily on seed oils and synthetics, we’re bringing tallow back - for its unmatched nourishment, simplicity, and connection to local, regenerative resources.

Did you know?

  • Tallow naturally contains squalene, which supports skin hydration and resilience

  • It’s high in conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), known for its anti-inflammatory properties

  • Rich in fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, which support skin repair and regeneration

  • Contains palmitic, stearic, and oleic acids, which nourish and soften while reinforcing the skin barrier

  • Properly rendered tallow can be shelf-stable for over a year

  • Tallow was once the base for most traditional soaps, salves, and skin protectants

Animal-based skin nourishment - Simple. Traditional. Effective.

Tallow isn’t trendy - it’s timeless. And when handled with care, it becomes a deeply nourishing ally for skin of all kinds.

Explore our full line of soaps and balms made with local tallow and wild plant infusions.