How Purely Tallow Began
Hi, I'm Serena, founder of Purely Tallow Skincare.
This company started the same way many small businesses do—with a personal problem I was trying to solve.
As a wife and mother, I wanted healthier products in our home. I spent countless hours reading ingredient labels, researching products, and trying to understand what I was putting on my family's skin. The more I learned, the more frustrated I became. Even products marketed as "natural" often contained long ingredient lists, synthetic fragrances, preservatives, and fillers that didn't align with the healthy lifestyle we were trying to build.
At the same time, I was learning about ancestral health and transitioning toward a more animal-based way of eating. As I focused on nourishing my family with nutrient-dense foods, I started asking a simple question:
If we care so much about what goes into our bodies, shouldn't we care just as much about what goes onto them?
That question led me to discover one of nature's most overlooked skincare ingredients: beef tallow.
Discovering Ancestral Skincare
The more I researched traditional skincare, the more I realized that many of the ingredients used for generations had quietly been replaced by modern alternatives.
Instead of nourishing animal-based ingredients like tallow, lanolin, beeswax, and emu oil, most products were built around inexpensive plant oils, synthetic ingredients, and fillers designed to reduce manufacturing costs.
I began experimenting in my own kitchen, creating simple products made with ingredients I could recognize, understand, and feel confident using on my family.
What started as homemade skincare quickly became something friends and family wanted for themselves, so I started selling products at local farmers markets. This eventually led to sharing my passion through this online store where we now ship hundreds of orders each week nationwide, with an outstanding number of repeat customers.
Keeping Things Simple
From the beginning, my goal was never to create another skincare brand with dozens of complicated formulas. I wanted products that were simple, transparent, and effective.
That's why Purely Tallow is built around nutrient-dense animal-based ingredients rather than diluted plant-based fillers. We formulate with ingredients like 100% grass-fed beef tallow, emu oil, lanolin, beeswax, and wild camel hump fat because they have a long history of supporting healthy skin and align with our philosophy of ancestral living. Many animal-derived skincare ingredients closely resemble the natural oils found in human skin. They are rich in fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, along with beneficial fatty acids that help support the skin barrier and maintain healthy hydration.
We use as few ingredients as possible, ensuring every ingredient serves a purpose. No unnecessary fillers. No shortcuts. No ingredients added simply to make a product cheaper to produce.
A True Family Business
As demand grew, so did Purely Tallow—but one thing never changed.
We're still a family business.
We don't outsource our formulations. We don't purchase pre-made products and put our label on them. Every product is made, packaged, and shipped by our family right here in the United States.
When you place an order, you can have peace in knowing that it was mixed, poured, labeled, packed, and shipped by the same people who created it.
That hands-on approach allows us to maintain the quality, transparency, and authenticity that inspired this business in the first place.
What Makes Purely Tallow Different
The skincare industry is full of products that are built around large amounts of plant-based oils like olive oil, coconut oil, sunflower oil, or jojoba oil. While these ingredients have their place, they are often used to dilute formulas (even from other tallow companies) and reduce production costs.
At Purely Tallow, I chose to formulate solely with high quality, nutrient-dense animal-based ingredients as the true foundation of our products—not just a small percentage added for marketing purposes. For our customers who desire a scented product, we simply add a few drops of 100% therapeutic grade essential oils-- that's it.
Our Mission Today
While Purely Tallow continues to find success, our mission remains the same:
To create simple, honest skincare inspired by ancestral wisdom and made with ingredients people can trust.
Products that our skin knows how to recognize naturally.
Products that are safe for babies and that grandparents would recognize.
Products free from fillers, preservatives, and toxins.
Products that are pure and powerful- the way skincare should be.
Looking Ahead
My hope is that Purely Tallow helps bring simplicity back to skincare.
In a world full of complicated labels, misinformation, and endless product options, I believe there's value in returning to the basics. Using fewer ingredients. Choosing quality over quantity. Trusting ingredients that have nourished people for generations. Appreciating small batch, handmade products.
Whether you're just beginning your journey toward healthier living or have been pursuing it for years, I'm honored you've chosen to be here.
Thank you for supporting our family business and allowing us to be part of yours.
– Serena
Founder, Purely Tallow