In short, tallow is the animal oil that results from rendering animal fat. Tallow is most commonly associated with the fat from cows. Here at by erin we only use tallow from local grass-fed AND finished farms. Proper (meaning the most natural) diet and care is essential to a rich vitamin and fatty acid profile that can only be found in grass fed/finished tallow and we are so grateful for the work our farmers do to ensure their animals are taken care of as nature intended.

It has always been. Before industrialization, labs and the ability to alter all that we know and see, tallow was used instead. Tallow is versatile in its uses and is one of the most healthy products you can be using from candles to salves, to creams for skin needs.

Locally! More specifically, a few farms based out of Virginia. These family farms are all wonderful and we are fortunate to be connected to them.

When you support us, you are directly supporting them.

Our hope is to remain as local as possible to ensure quality in all of our products.

You can find more about these farms at their websites below.

https://www.myshepherdsfarmpsalm23.com/

https://www.oldrichvalleyfarm.com/products

http://www.rivermountainfarms.com/

https://goshenhomestead.com/

We have customers using it for every and any skin issue that arises! Send us a message or leave a review sharing the ways you have had success with our balm.

Here are the multiple ways current customers are using it as well as our family:

• dry skin/patches
• eczema
• psoriasis
• acne
• diaper rash
• lupus butterfly rashes
• daily facial/body moisturizer
• minor cuts, scrapes, bruising
• chapstick
• primer
• cuticle care
• spots/bumps
• chapped peeling skin
• hair mask
• athletes foot
• dry scalp
• puffy eyes and dark circles under the eyes
• chafing
• sunburns
• razor burns
• chapped nipples from nursing
• scars
• hemorrhoids
• stys
• cradle cap

No, tallow is not known for being pore-clogging. We also AVOID using olive and coconut oil in our blends because those ARE known for being pore clogging which in turn irritates your skin.

Purifying tallow is the process of slowly rendering it with water and salt. This process draws out "impurities" or fine looking sediment that gives tallow its natural aroma. By removing this sediment, you're left with whiter and more neutral smelling tallow.

Some prefer tallows natural aroma, and that's okay! This is for those that prefer to go without.

Purified tallow needs a helping hand for fluffing up, so this is where adding emu oil in helps with that!

Oftentimes olive, coconut, or jojoba oils are added in to help with whipping tallow balm.

Unfortuneately these oils can be pore clogging or nutrients are not as bioavailble as animal-based products are.

We are committed to supporting farms that raise and care for their animals humanely and as nature intended.

Pastured emu oil is equally as rich in skin loving vitamins as tallow is, easily absorbs and is in line with our mission to stay animal-based.

Our AEA Certified Emu Oil is sourced locally in TN at Amaroo Hills Farm.

Learn more here - straight from the AEA website!

https://aea-emu.org/amaroo-hills/

While we are not fans of every 3 lettered association - this one is important.

Not all emu oil is the same. What you may see listed in bulk on Google can be sourced from across the world. What you see listed in other products may not explicitly say whether or not they're using AEA certified emu oil.

Emus are native to Australia. That's great, but we've tried (with no success) to get in touch to the farm themselves simply to learn more about it.

AEA certification ensures the birds are not used ONLY for their oil. It also lays out specifications for care and processing - ensuring that the final product is QUALITY. There are FEW U.S. sources with this certification.

Read more about the certification here: https://aea-emu.org/aea-certified-emu-oil-program/

*We recommend unscented versions for those with the most sensitive skin.

• Purified Pure Unscented: grass-fed/finished whipped tallow and pastured emu oil
• Purified Calm: grass-fed/finished whipped tallow, pastured emu oil, and lavender essential oil

• Soothing Magnesium Pure Unscented:
• Soothing Magnesium Sweet Slumber:
• Soothing Magnesium Relieve:

Start with clean and dry hands, no more than a pea-sized amount and rub it in where you need it - a little goes a LONG way! From the mouths of other customers, “use less than you think you need to”. You can always layer up!

If your skin is in need of repair you may need to apply more often.

We keep our essential oil dilution to right around 1% to ensure it can be most safely used on children specifically. If you are pregnant or nursing and are concerned please consult with your trusted physician. Use mindful care, start small and watch. When in doubt - purchase unscented!

Regular Balms: Yes! And you can always test a small area of skin first for peace of mind (thinking of the scented ones specifically in case anyone is extra sensitive). Because of how truly natural it is, it could even be eaten, so there is even less concern if using it as a nipple balm. We made this with our own children in mind!

Magnesium Balms: Unscented, yes. As always, if you are pregnant or nursing, or using on children, and you have any concerns please consult with your trusted physician. For the scented ones, use with mindful care. Relieve should not be used by pregnant/nursing mothers or on children due to the peppermint.

With proper storage they can last at least 6-9 months, oftentimes longer. While still safe after that timeframe, sometimes the smell can change.

Throw it in the refrigerator for a cool relief on burns and to make it last longer.

With the jar sealed tightly at no warmer than room temperature out of direct sunlight. The texture and consistency can change if left in high heat temperatures (75-80 degrees) for too long and melt at anything 90 degrees or higher.

The by erin family uses it daily and religiously for both regular moisturizing and any skin problem that arises. That said, one person could go through a jar in about a month. Including kiddos and how often they need it, it could be about the same or less!

It is! When tallow undergoes temperature changes, if it doesn't settle at the same temperature all throughout it can cause some “crystallization” (graininess) to occur. While we use the same recipe and process with every batch, the only other way to remedy this would be chemical alteration or preservative methods which we do not stand behind.

This is also why it's important to keep it stored in a temperature stabe place!

If you are not satisfied with your order, feel free to submit a return request form!

First and foremost - always start small. Less is more when it comes to tallow balm.

It is possible that some people experience a transition period. We would recommend not mixing it in with other moisturizers to ensure the cause of breaking out. If you continue breaking out we would further recommend looking at ingredients in other products you are using, things you are eating, and stop usage.

While tallow is not known to be pore clogging, and allergies to that or the other ingredients aren't common, there's always the chance of a rare case.

Contact us as soon as possible so we can resolve the issue!

You can do that here under contact us

Please submit a return request here to begin the process.

Yes.

HOWEVER, once an order has shipped we cannot cancel an order. Your best bet will be to wait for your order to arrive and then contact us for a refund or exchange.

Checkout as normal but enter the recipients address instead!

We do not offer personalization for gifts.

Should you need an exchange or a return, the original buyer will have to reach out to us.

We ship priority mail USPS. Delays are always possible but standard shipping times are about 2-3 days.