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🌿 Why We’ll Stick to Plants, Thanks: A Skin Care Love Letter (Without the Tallow)
- Lika Torline
- Aug 5
- 3 min read
Botanical skin care made with intention, not animal fat.
Tallow-based skincare has been having a moment—and we get it. It’s old-school, nutrient-dense, and full of throwback vibes. But at In The Weeds, we’re not here to follow trends. We’re here to follow plants—and we always have been.
Most people don’t know this, but I was a vegetarian for 13 years, and even now, though I do eat red meat and poultry from time to time, I try to stay conscious about it. I’m all about balance, intention, and being mindful of what we put on our bodies as much as what we put in them.
And honestly? If we started using tallow in our products, Jenny (our in-house vegan and candle whisperer) would probably quit on the spot—and she’s too magical to lose. 💁♀️✨
So let’s talk about why our plant-based, animal-free skincare is the real deal:
🥩 What Is Tallow, Anyway?
Tallow is a form of rendered fat, usually from cows or sheep. It’s made by slowly cooking down animal suet (the fat around organs) until it melts, then straining and cooling it into a waxy, shelf-stable substance. In skincare, tallow is often praised for its high content of fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K, and its similarity to human sebum.
Yes—it’s basically beef butter for your face.
Tallow has its roots in historical skincare rituals, but let’s be clear: it's an animal byproduct, and its use relies on the meat industry. Even if it’s "grass-fed" or "ethically sourced," it still comes at the cost of another living being.
🌿 Why We Stick With Plants
✅ 1. Plants Are Powerful
Our ingredients like rosehip oil, calendula, chamomile, aloe, and turmeric offer deep nourishment, without clogging pores or compromising your values. They're rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds, and natural vitamins that your skin recognizes and absorbs.
Tallow may mimic sebum, but plants actively support your skin’s regeneration, balance, and glow.
✅ 2. We’re For Everyone
Plant-based skincare is vegan, cruelty-free, and inclusive. It respects your dietary choices, religious beliefs, ethical values, and environmental concerns. Whether you're fully vegan or just trying to make conscious choices, our products welcome everyone.
✅ 3. Tradition Meets Innovation
Sure, tallow has a long history—but so do the herbs we use. We combine ancestral plant wisdom with modern formulation techniques to deliver clean, effective skincare rooted in nature. You won’t find mystery fats here—only potent, purposeful botanicals.
✅ 4. Thoughtfully Formulated, Always
While the majority of our products are fully plant-based, we do use ingredients like honey and beeswax in a few select formulations—always sourced with care and sustainability in mind. What you won’t find? Tallow, lanolin, or any animal byproducts that require harm to the animal. Our commitment is to transparency, integrity, and intention in everything we create.
✅ 5. Plants Carry Better Energy
Energetically speaking, plants carry the frequency of life, growth, and healing. Every balm, serum, and candle we make holds intention, not extraction. You feel the difference—emotionally, spiritually, energetically. Your skin does too.
🌿 Final Thought: We’re Rooted in Plants for a Reason
We’re not anti-tallow—we’re just pro-plant. Because our skin deserves the best. Our customers deserve transparency. And Jenny deserves to keep her job.
So no, we won’t be hopping on the tallow trend anytime soon. We’ll be over here in the weeds—formulating with intention, celebrating plants, and creating products that are beautiful, ethical, and effective.
You deserve better.
This is it.
About the Author
Lika Torline is the founder of In The Weeds Premium Botanical Products, a lesbian- and woman-owned botanical skincare line committed to natural, intentional, and inclusive self-care. Her products can be found online and at local Texas markets.
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