Making our own skin and body care products
Over the years, one of the things we’ve become increasingly aware of is just how much of modern life encourages us to disconnect from the source of the things we use every day.
Food is the obvious example—but skincare is another.
Many conventional products are filled with synthetic fragrances, stabilizers, preservatives, and ingredients most of us can’t pronounce, let alone recognize. And while we’re certainly not perfect or all-or-nothing about these things, we’ve found ourselves continually drawn back to simpler ingredients and more traditional ways of caring for our bodies.
That’s what eventually led us to begin making our own skin and body care products here on the farm.
What started as curiosity turned into something we genuinely use and love in our own home every day.
Why we use grass-fed tallow
At the heart of many of our products is grass-fed beef tallow.
For generations, tallow was a staple ingredient in traditional skincare before modern commercial products replaced it with heavily processed oils and synthetic alternatives. And honestly, once we started learning more about it, it made a lot of sense why it had been used for so long.
One of the things we appreciate most about tallow is how compatible it is with our skin itself. Tallow contains a fatty acid profile remarkably similar to the oils naturally produced by human skin, which allows it to absorb deeply and nourish without leaving skin feeling coated or overly greasy.
Grass-fed tallow is naturally rich in:
- Vitamins A, D, E, and K
- Antioxidants
- Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
- Essential fatty acids that help support the skin barrier
Many people find tallow especially supportive for dry skin, sensitive skin, cracked hands, eczema-prone skin, and skin that simply needs deeper nourishment—particularly in dry climates like ours here in Northeast Utah.
And unlike many water-based lotions, tallow-based products don’t rely on stabilizers or large amounts of preservatives to maintain shelf life because they’re naturally anhydrous (water-free).
Simple ingredients. Deep nourishment.
That’s really the goal.
Our grass-fed tallow
Our tallow soap is made using grass-fed tallow along with thoughtfully selected oils and essential oils for natural scenting.
The result is a soap that cleans effectively while still feeling gentle and conditioning on the skin. Many commercial soaps strip the skin barrier and leave skin feeling tight or dry afterward. Tallow soap tends to feel different—rich, creamy, and moisturizing in a way that supports the skin rather than fighting against it.
We especially love it during the winter months when dry air and constant hand washing take their toll.
Whipped tallow balm
Our whipped tallow balm has become one of our most-used products at home.
We keep jars in bathrooms, next to beds, and usually one floating around the kitchen for dry hands after dishes and farm chores.
Whipping the tallow creates a softer, lighter texture that spreads beautifully while still offering deep moisture. It can be used almost anywhere—hands, face, elbows, dry patches, baby skin, and more.
Because we only use essential oils for scenting, the fragrance stays subtle and natural while still imparting beneficial properties.
Dandelion and calendula salves
Some of my favorite products we make begin growing quietly out in the fields.
Each spring and summer we harvest dandelions and calendula flowers here on the farm and slowly infuse them into oil over time. Once the infusion is ready, we combine it with shea butter and beeswax to create rich herbal salves.
Both herbs have a long history of traditional use in skin care.
Dandelion salve
Dandelions are often overlooked, but they’re incredibly nourishing plants. Traditionally, dandelion-infused oils have been used to help soothe dry, irritated, or rough skin.
We especially love having this salve on hand for:
- Dry hands
- Minor scrapes
- Sore muscles
- Wind-chapped skin
- Everyday outdoor wear and tear
Calendula salve
Calendula has long been valued for its calming and soothing properties. It’s one of the gentlest herbs for skin care and is often used for sensitive or irritated skin.
Many people use calendula salve for:
- Dry or cracked skin
- Baby skin care
- Minor skin irritation
- Extra moisture and protection during harsh weather
And beyond the benefits themselves, there’s something deeply satisfying about using products made from flowers grown right here on the farm.
Beeswax lip balm
Our lip balm is simple, nourishing, and made with the same philosophy as everything else we create: ingredients that are recognizable, functional, and thoughtfully sourced.
Beeswax helps create a protective barrier while oils and butters soften and moisturize. We lightly scent each batch using essential oils rather than artificial fragrances.
It’s the kind of thing we keep in coat pockets, vehicles, backpacks, and beside every bed in the house.
Returning to simplicity
At the end of the day, we’re not trying to reinvent skincare.
In many ways, we’re simply returning to ingredients that have been used for generations—ingredients that nourish well because they were designed by nature to do exactly that.
There’s something grounding about knowing where your products come from. About harvesting flowers from the field, rendering tallow from animals raised well, and creating useful things with your own hands.
It feels slower. More connected. More intentional.
And in this season of life, that’s something we continue to value more and more. If you are interested in purchasing are skin and body care, please reach out to Emily at info@theforbesfamilyfarm.com.
