Why Our Whipped Tallow Balm Is Firmer (and How to Use It)

If you’ve opened a tin of Straight Arrow Farms Whipped Tallow cream and noticed a firmer texture than you expected, you aren’t imagining it. Our cream is made to be rich and concentrated, rather than light and fluffy.

That firmer feel comes down to the ingredients we use and the temperature of your tin. Here’s what to expect, and how to get a smooth, comfortable application.

A tallow-rich formula

Our formula contains nearly 90% tallow, paired with sunflower oil, castor oil, vitamin E, and a small amount of beeswax. Tallow is naturally solid at cooler room temperatures, so a balm made with this much tallow will have more structure than a formula with a larger proportion of liquid oils.

Plant oils have a useful place in skincare, including in our own cream. We use them to complement the tallow and help the balm spread. The balance we’ve chosen gives our formula its distinctive, substantial feel.

Carefully prepared suet tallow

We start with kidney suet that’s been rendered five times as part of our preparation process. That care is an important part of how we make our balm.

Firmness alone isn’t a measure of purity or quality. The finished texture reflects the whole formula, how it is prepared, and the temperature at which it is stored.

A little beeswax adds structure

Our formula includes 1% beeswax. This small addition helps give the cream body and contributes to its rich feel on the skin.

Together, the tallow, oils, and beeswax create a cream designed to soften dry-feeling skin and help hold in moisture. Start with a small amount and add more only where you need it.

Whipped doesn’t mean permanently fluffy

Whipping describes how the cream is prepared. It doesn’t mean it will stay as soft as a lotion in every season. Natural fats and waxes become firmer in cooler conditions and softer as they warm up, something you may notice during Canadian winters.

Warm a small dab between your fingertips before applying it. As it softens, it becomes easier to spread in a thin, even layer. How quickly it softens will depend on the temperature of your hands and the tin.

How to get the best experience from your tin

1. Start small. Use clean, dry hands or a clean, dry cosmetic spatula to lift out a small amount. A pea-sized dab is a useful starting point; adjust for the area you’re covering.
2. Warm it first. Rub the cream between your fingertips or palms until it softens and spreads easily. There’s no need to press hard into a cool tin.
3. Apply a thin layer. Smooth onto slightly damp skin, keeping water out of the tin. If the finish feels heavier than you like, try using less next time.
4. Store at a steady room temperature. Keep the lid closed and the tin away from cold windowsills, direct sunlight, and heaters. Avoid deliberately heating the tin to soften it.

As with any new skincare product, patch test a small area first and discontinue use if irritation occurs.

Rich by design

Softer doesn’t automatically mean better, and firmer doesn’t automatically mean better either. What matters is a formula you enjoy using and a texture that works for your routine.

At Straight Arrow Farms, we’ve chosen a tallow-rich cream with a substantial feel in the tin. Give a small amount a moment to warm in your hands, then smooth it on. A little is a good place to start.