The star of the show around here! High in fat soluble vitamins like A, D, E & K as well as omega fatty acids, tallow is an extremely bioavailabile substance for our skin. Tallow is noncomedogenic (non-pore clogging) and also contains anti-inflammatory, antibacterial AND antifungal properties.

Helps to protect skin from the elements and pollution by creating a barrier (and helps with water resistance for the SPF). The vitamin A in beeswax can help reduce fine lines, wrinkles and even stretch marks by increasing collagen production. It’s a humectant and helps hydrate your skin by pulling in water from the environment and is naturally antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.

Naturally anti-microbial so helps to decrease bacteria and fungi on our skin. Being high in vitamin e, this oil helps with antiaging, wound healing and scar reduction. Jojoba oil is also an antioxidant which helps protect or skidoo free radicals as pollutants.

A hydrating oil that has anti microbial and antioxidant properties to help protect our skin from free radicals and pollutants. Anti inflammatory aspects allow this oil to help heal skin conditions including eczema. The hydrating and moisturizing benefits help heal burns including heat (stove top/fire place/etc.) as well as sunburns.

An excellent oil absorbing ingredient, arrowroot is great for helping to soak up the excess oil or “greasy” texture of tallow while allowing all the benefits to stay. This gluten free powder is also anti inflammatory and can help reduce itchiness and redness. As a humectant, this powder helps attract water to hydrate the skin while drawing excess oil out of your skin and help prevent acne.

The non-nano zinc oxide used in my tallow SPF makes it a perfect physical sunscreen. Non-nano zinc means less chance of the skin absorbing the zinc which leads to less irritation and still great sun protection by creating more of a physical barrier.

A very moisturizing ingredient lends intense moisture to the skin, keeping it happy while in the elements. Shea butter contains a natural sun protection factor of roughly 3-4. Which isn’t enough on its own to protect from burns, but added to the zinc it boosts the SPF. Being anti inflammatory, shea butter helps keep irritation at bay from the sun’s rays.

Essential oils have so many benefits from relaxation to anti-fungal and energizing to anxiety/pain relief. Plus they smell delicious! One thing I will never include in my formulas will be fragrances - artificail or "natural" - they can be highly toxic and are known hormone disruptors, I just don't feel they are needed to enjoy a yummy smelling product, and I won't sacrifice my low-tox goals for anything - even to smell like cotton candy or whatever new trendy smell is out there!

Sugar is a natural exfoliant that breaks down in water so will not allow for over scrubbing that can lead to skin damage - it also contains glycolic acid which is another form of gentle exfoliation that penetrates into our skin and promotes new cell growth. The sugar and molasses both, in brown sugar are humectants so will doubly draw that shower water into your skin a little extra.

The colorants I choose to incorporate in my tinted lip balms are mica powders. Micas are free of heavy metals and are natural - no petroleum-based products or biproducts here!