Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
About Tallow
What is tallow and where does it come from? Tallow is rendered beef fat. Our tallow is sourced from a specialist supplier using organic, grass-fed trim fat from carefully selected sources across the US. It's rendered slowly to remove proteins while retaining the full nutrient profile including vitamins A, D, E, and K.
Does tallow smell like beef? No. A properly rendered tallow has virtually no odor. The "beefy" smell people associate with tallow comes from proteins and impurities in poorly rendered fat. Our tallow is rendered to remove those proteins completely. Our unscented No Bull products have almost no detectable smell — occasionally you might catch the faintest hint of castor oil, but that's it.
Is tallow greasy? Tallow itself is not greasy — but full transparency, our formula does go on with a brief rich feeling due to the botanical oils we blend it with. The good news: it absorbs completely within minutes, leaving no greasy residue. The initial richness is actually the oils doing their job, delivering nutrients to your skin barrier before fully absorbing. Most customers are surprised by how quickly it disappears.
Why is grass-fed tallow better? Grass-fed cattle produce fat that is richer in fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, as well as conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and omega-3 fatty acids. Conventionally raised cattle produce nutritionally inferior fat. Grass-fed matters for the same reason it matters in food — you are what you eat, and so is the animal.
Is tallow ethical and sustainable? Our tallow is a byproduct of the beef industry — it uses fat that would otherwise be discarded. Using tallow is actually one of the most sustainable choices in skincare, reducing waste from an existing industry rather than requiring new agricultural land or synthetic production.
About Our Products
Are your products safe for babies? Our No Bull unscented products are safe for babies and young children. We use zero essential oils in the No Bull line — essential oils are not safe for babies regardless of how natural they are. The No Bull Body Balm is used by many of our customers for baby eczema, diaper rash, dry patches, and cradle cap.
Are your products safe for pets? Our No Bull unscented products are safe for pets. Many customers use the Tallow Lotion Bar on dry dog paws and noses. Never use products containing essential oils on or around cats — cats cannot metabolize many essential oils safely.
Are your products safe for sensitive skin? Yes — our entire line is free of synthetic fragrance, petroleum, parabens, sulfates, and synthetic preservatives. For very sensitive skin, always start with our No Bull unscented line and introduce scented products slowly.
Are your products vegan? No. Our products contain grass-fed beef tallow and organic beeswax. We believe these are among the most ethical and effective ingredients available for skincare, but we respect that this is a personal choice.
Do your products contain gluten? Our products do not contain gluten ingredients. However we cannot guarantee a completely gluten-free environment as we work in a shared space.
What is your shelf life? Our products are small batch and preservative free. Most products have a shelf life of 12-18+months when stored properly — away from direct heat and sunlight. Tallow is naturally shelf stable due to its low moisture content.
Why don't you add magnesium or honey to your body balm? Both magnesium and honey are wonderful ingredients — but they're water-soluble, and our balm is an anhydrous (water-free) formula. Combining water-based ingredients with oil-based formulas requires emulsifiers and preservatives to prevent separation and bacterial growth. We keep our formula water-free intentionally — it's simpler, cleaner, more shelf stable, and means we never need synthetic preservatives. You'll find magnesium in our deodorant, where it belongs!
I've seen the same products at markets for over $100, is this a cheaper quality product? Clean skincare shouldn't be a luxury. Julie's mission from day one has been to make genuinely effective, non-toxic body care accessible to families — including babies. We're also able to keep costs reasonable because we source our tallow from a specialist supplier in bulk rather than rendering our own, which allows us to pass those savings directly to our customers without compromising quality.
Do your products need to be refrigerated? No — our products are shelf stable and do not require refrigeration. Tallow's low moisture content makes it naturally resistant to bacterial growth. Store your products at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and heat sources. A cool, dry cabinet or bathroom shelf works perfectly.
Will my products melt? Tallow is a natural fat and is more sensitive to heat than petroleum-based products — this is actually a sign of its purity! Balms, lotion bars, and lip balms can soften or melt in high temperatures, direct sunlight, or a hot car. If your product melts, simply place it upright in the refrigerator or freezer for 30-60 minutes to reset. This does not affect the quality or efficacy of the product at all. We recommend keeping products out of direct sun and away from heat sources like car dashboards, windowsills, and radiators.
Can I add my own essential oils to the body balm? Yes! Our No Bull unscented balm is a perfect base for customizing your own scent. For safe topical use, we recommend a maximum of 48 drops of essential oil per 4oz jar — this keeps you within a safe dilution rate for skin application. Always research the safety profile of your chosen essential oils before use, especially if applying to children or pets.
About Eczema & Skin Conditions
Can tallow help with eczema? Many of our customers with eczema report significant improvement after switching to tallow skincare. Tallow is free of the synthetic ingredients that commonly trigger eczema flares, and its bioidentical fatty acids support the skin barrier function that eczema compromises. Always start with No Bull unscented for eczema-prone skin.
How long before I see results? Give it two weeks minimum. Your skin may go through a brief adjustment period as it recalibrates from years of synthetic ingredients. This is normal and temporary. Most customers report noticeable improvement within 2-4 weeks, usually a lot sooner.
Can tallow cause breakouts? Tallow has a comedogenic rating of 0-2 — very low risk of clogging pores. Most people find tallow actually improves acne-prone skin over time due to its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to regulate sebum production. Always apply tallow products to clean skin. If you experience breakouts initially, give it two weeks — this is often a purging phase.
Shopping & Orders
Where can I buy Magnolia Crow products in person? Find us at Denver area farmers markets on weekends, at Arvada Local in Arvada CO, and at Assemble Dancewear in Highlands Ranch. Visit our Local Events & Markets page for current schedule.
Do you offer samples? Come find us at the farmers market — we always have testers available and love helping people find the right product in person. We like to ship samples with our online orders when we have availability.
What if my product melts during shipping? Tallow products can melt in high heat. If your product arrives melted, place it upright in the refrigerator or freezer for 30-60 minutes to reset. This does not affect the product quality or efficacy.
Do you offer wholesale? We work with select local retailers. Contact us at the.magnolia.crow@gmail.com to discuss wholesale opportunities.
Still have questions? Come find us at the farmers market or send us a message on our Contact page. We love talking skin.
— Julie, Magnolia Crow Soap Co.