What is pasture-raised pork tallow?
What is Pasture-Raised Pork Tallow?
Pasture-raised pork tallow is a nutrient-rich, sustainable fat that comes from pigs raised in natural, open environments. When pork fat is used for cooking, it’s called lard. However, when it’s rendered and purified for skincare purposes, it becomes tallow—a deeply nourishing and versatile ingredient.
At our farm, we receive pork fat from our Kunekune hogs directly from our butcher and use a time-honored dry-rendering method to clarify it. This traditional process ensures that the tallow retains its beneficial properties, making it ideal for a variety of skincare products.
The difference with pasture-raised pigs is significant. These animals graze on grass and forage in the open air, leading to a much higher-quality fat that is packed with essential nutrients. Pasture-raised pork tallow is one of the best natural sources of vitamin D on earth. It’s also rich in vitamins A, B complex, E, and K, as well as Omega fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). Its fatty acid profile is incredibly similar to human skin, making it one of the best natural moisturizers available.
Why Choose Pasture-Raised Pork Tallow for Skincare?
The use of animal fats like tallow for skincare is not new—it has been practiced for centuries. Civilizations across the globe, from Ancient Egypt and Rome to Indigenous communities in North America and Africa, have long understood the benefits of using animal fats to nourish and protect the skin. This nose-to-tail approach ensures that every part of the animal is used sustainably, minimizing waste and maximizing nutrition.
Contrary to the misconception that tallow-based skincare is a passing trend, the use of tallow is deeply rooted in ancestral wisdom. It's not just another fad; it’s a proven skincare solution that modern consumers are rediscovering. As more people move away from petrochemical-based products, they are finding that tallow provides a deeper level of nourishment and hydration than synthetic alternatives.
Tallow is naturally rich in nutrients that help support healthy, glowing skin, and its benefits go beyond hydration. The unique fatty acid composition of pork tallow helps to restore and balance the skin’s moisture barrier, leaving it soft, supple, and well-protected against environmental stressors.
Is Tallow Non-Comedogenic? Will It Cause Acne?
A major concern with any skincare product is whether it will clog pores and contribute to acne. Fortunately, tallow is considered non-comedogenic, meaning it is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts. Tallow has a unique fatty acid composition that closely mirrors the natural oils (sebum) produced by human skin. This allows it to absorb easily without creating blockages in the pores, making it safe even for acne-prone skin.
Studies have shown that tallow, especially from pasture-raised animals, is highly compatible with the skin and can actually help balance oil production. By providing deep hydration and nourishing the skin barrier, tallow may even reduce the likelihood of breakouts caused by dehydration or an overproduction of oil source.
In contrast to synthetic moisturizers that sit on top of the skin, tallow penetrates deeply, delivering essential nutrients without leaving a greasy residue. This makes it an excellent choice for those who want effective hydration without aggravating existing skin conditions.
Will I Smell Like Pork?
One question people often ask is whether using pork tallow for skincare will make them smell like bacon. The answer is no! Our dry-rendering process removes all impurities, ensuring a clean, neutral-smelling tallow. This makes it ideal for use in everything from body balms to facial creams, without any unpleasant scent.
About Our Pigs: Raised Naturally and Sustainably
All of our pork tallow comes from our veteran-owned, small farm in Adair, Iowa. When you shop at Meadowlark Apothecary, you’re not only supporting our women-owned business, you’re also supporting our family farm. We love our Kunekune pigs - a rare, grass-grazing heritage hog breed imported from New Zealand. Our pigs have the best lives - open grass, sunlight, fresh air, and lots of belly rubs! They are not given hormones or routine antibiotics and are slowly pasture-raised using sustainable and ethical practices. Their food consists of local, seasonal fruits, nuts, vegetables, grains and finished on soy- and GMO-free grains.
Pasture-raised
Diet includes local organic vegetables
No growth supplements
No hormones
No routine antibiotics (given only as needed for the health and welfare of the animal)
Never any mRNA shots or vaccines containing mRNA
The Nutritional Benefits of Pasture-Raised Pork Tallow
Pork tallow from pasture-raised pigs is significantly more nutrient-dense than fat from conventionally raised pigs. This is largely due to the fact that pigs who live outdoors and feed on natural diets are able to produce higher levels of vitamin D, which is stored in their fat. In fact, tests conducted by the National Library of Medicine revealed that the lard in pasture-raised pork contains up to 400-700 IU of vitamin D—and this study was conducted over just two weeks; imagine what a lifetime of fresh air on meadows would do. (source)
Vitamin D plays a crucial role in skin health, helping to regulate skin cell growth, repair, and metabolism. For people with vitamin D deficiencies—which, according to research, includes over 40% of Americans—topical application of vitamin D through tallow-based skincare can offer additional benefits for promoting skin elasticity, hydration, and overall vitality.
Sadly, commercially raised pigs, which are kept in confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs), produce fat that is far lower in vitamin D and other essential nutrients. These pigs rarely see sunlight and are deprived of their natural food sources, leading to a drastic reduction in their vitamin D levels and other essential nutrients.
Choosing pasture-raised pork tallow isn’t just good for your skin—it’s also better for the environment and animal welfare. Plus, it helps ensure that you’re getting the highest possible levels of vitamins and nutrients in your skincare products.
Vitamin D: The Essential Skin Nutrient
Vitamin D plays a crucial role in supporting healthy skin. It helps regulate skin cell growth, repair, and metabolism, while also offering anti-inflammatory benefits. Research has shown that vitamin D can help improve skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and acne by reducing inflammation and promoting healing source.
Many Americans don’t get enough vitamin D through diet and exercise, with nearly half the population having insufficient levels. source. Known as the ‘sunshine vitamin’, vitamin D is produced in the skin when exposed to sunlight. However, relying solely on the sun for vitamin D comes with risks, such as potential skin damage from UVA and UVB rays. By using pasture-raised pork tallow, which is rich in this essential nutrient, you’re helping to deliver vitamin D directly to your skin through topical application.
The topical delivery of vitamin D has been shown to improve skin hydration and elasticity, making it a key ingredient in nourishing, natural skincare products source. Unlike synthetic creams or lotions, pork tallow-based skincare provides bioavailable vitamin D in the most natural form. Pork tallow's fatty acid profile closely matches human skin, offering superior absorption and deep hydration. Some topical creams contain fish oil which is another natural source of vitamin D, but it can feel greasy, is less compatible with the skin's natural oils, and might leave you with a lingering fish odor.
A Return to Nature
Tallow-based skincare offers a natural, sustainable alternative to the chemical-laden products found in drugstores. Pork tallow from pasture-raised pigs is packed with skin-loving vitamins and nutrients that provide superior hydration and nourishment, without synthetic additives or fragrances.
Many modern creams and lotions rely on petrochemicals and synthetic oils, which can create a false sense of moisture but don’t penetrate the skin deeply. In contrast, pork tallow mimics the natural oils produced by human skin, offering deep hydration that lasts. It works in harmony with your skin to repair and strengthen its moisture barrier, helping to protect against dryness and environmental damage.
With its centuries-old history and time-tested effectiveness, tallow skincare is far from being a fleeting trend—it’s a return to the natural, holistic practices that kept our ancestors' skin healthy and glowing for generations.