Ingredient Deep-Dives: Tallow’s Fatty Acid Profile — and Why It Powers RESTORE & REPAIR

Ingredient Deep-Dives: Tallow’s Fatty Acid Profile — and Why It Powers RESTORE & REPAIR

Quick take

  • Grass-fed tallow is naturally rich in oleic, stearic, and palmitic acids with traces of linoleic and palmitoleic—a combo that feels cushioned yet sinks in cleanly.

  • Our formulas spotlight that balance in two ways:

    • RESTORE = simple, everyday comfort with a soft-matte finish.

    • REPAIR = comfort + botanical care featuring calendula and manuka honey.

Educational only; not medical advice. Patch-test if sensitive.

Why fatty acids matter

Texture, absorption, and barrier support all come from lipid chemistry:

  • Saturated FAs (stearic, palmitic): structure, cushion, occlusion.
  • Monounsaturated FAs (oleic, palmitoleic): slip, spread, “sink-in” feel.
  • Polyunsaturated FAs (linoleic): lightness and barrier benefits—but less oxidation stability.

Tallow’s typical profile:

  • Oleic (C18:1): ~35–50% → glide + comfort
  • Stearic (C18:0): ~15–25% → cushion + structure
  • Palmitic (C16:0): ~20–30% → soft occlusion
  • Palmitoleic (C16:1): ~2–5% → skin-friendly (found in human sebum)
  • Linoleic (C18:2): ~1–4% → balancing touch

Result: plush, semi-occlusive moisture that absorbs without the heavy wax feel of some butters or the “slippy film” of pure hydrocarbons.

How RESTORE & REPAIR use that profile

RESTORE — Everyday Balm, Soft-Matte Finish

  • Built on: grass-fed tallow’s oleic–stearic–palmitic balance.
  • Finish: comfortingly plush, then sets to a soft-matte (thanks to arrowroot powder) so it never looks greasy.
  • Aroma note: gentle frankincense—calm, resinous, and sophisticated.
  • No shea butter (great for those who prefer a lean INCI).
  • Use when: your skin feels tight after cleansing, wind/sun exposure, or whenever you want a simple, non-fussy seal of moisture.

REPAIR — Calendula + Manuka Honey

  • Built on: the same tallow backbone for cushion + occlusion.
  • Botanical care: calendula for a comforting feel and manuka honey for a dewy, nurtured finish.
  • Use when: skin feels stressed by seasonal shifts, frequent washing, or you want a little extra “hug” at night.

Both are small-batch and grass-fed tallow based; pick RESTORE for streamlined daily comfort, REPAIR when you want the extra plush, dewy boost.

Side-by-side with popular moisturizers

Emollient Dominant makeup Feel Oxidation stability* Typical fit
Tallow (RESTORE/REPAIR base) Oleic, stearic, palmitic (+ trace linoleic/palmitoleic) Cushiony, semi-occlusive, clean dry-down High Normal, dry, sensitive, weather-stressed
Shea butter Oleic + high stearic Rich, waxy-creamy High Very dry skin, winter body care
Cocoa butter Stearic + palmitic Very firm, occlusive High Very dry areas, elbows/heels
Coconut oil Lauric + myristic Slippy, fast-melt Very high Dry, non-acne-prone body care
Jojoba Wax esters Silky, light-medium High Combo/oily, scalp care
Squalane Hydrocarbon (no FAs) Feather-light Very high Oily/acne-prone, sensitive
Mineral oil Hydrocarbons Glossy, inert occlusion Very high Eczema-prone as occlusive layer
Ceramide creams Ceramides + FA + cholesterol Creamy, barrier-mimic High Compromised barrier routines

*Stability = tendency to resist rancidity in normal use.

Choosing between RESTORE & REPAIR

  • You prefer minimal, soft-matte, “nothing on my face” feel → start with RESTORE.
  • You want dewy comfort and a nurturing night seal → choose REPAIR.
  • Combo approach: RESTORE in AM (under SPF), REPAIR in PM (over serums).
  • Targeted use: RESTORE for T-zone dry patches, REPAIR for cheeks or around the nose/lips.

Routine ideas (face & body)

Face (AM): mist → hydrating serum → light cream → rice-grain of RESTORE to seal → SPF.
Face (PM): gentle cleanse → ceramide/niacinamide serum → pin-dot of REPAIR pressed into damp skin.
Body: after shower, apply REPAIR on damp skin for a velvety glow; keep RESTORE by the sink for post-wash hands.

FAQ

Will tallow feel heavy?
Micro-dosing matters. Our textures are intentionally cushiony; RESTORE dries down soft-matte, REPAIR leaves a soft glow.

Can I layer over active serums?
Yes. Let water-based steps absorb first, then apply a tiny amount of RESTORE/REPAIR as your final seal.

Sensitive skin?
Keep routines simple and patch-test first. Avoid using on broken skin. If you have a skin condition, consult your provider.

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