As you guys may already know, our ethos at OhSo is to create 100% natural, non-toxic and organic products that protect you and your family from harsh UV rays. And when it comes to choosing ingredients for your skincare, we believe that simpler is better. In our search for skin-loving ingredients that still waved the flag for being both natural and organic - nothing came close to beef tallow. But what is beef tallow, where does it come from, and why do we use it as the hero ingredient in our non-toxic suncream? Let’s break it down.
What Is Beef Tallow?
Beef tallow is an unusual yet traditional skincare ingredient that has been used in products for centuries, and now we’ve harnessed its magic in our OhSo formulations. Made by slowly rendering (in simple terms, gently heating) the fat from cattle, usually around the kidneys and loins - it sounds gross but sticks with us. Once purified, the result is a rich, nutrient-dense fat that’s solid at room temperature, and surprisingly, it's incredible for your skin. While it might sound unconventional (and admittedly a little gross) in a world full of synthetic ingredients and harmful chemicals, tallow has been used for centuries to nourish and protect the skin. And at OhSo Bare, we’re bringing it back with purpose.
Why We Use Beef Tallow in Our Suncream
At OhSo Bare, our mission is to create suncare without the added nasties and harmful chemicals like you find on your supermarket’s shelves. A range that works with your body, not against it, so here’s why tallow is at the centre of our non-toxic suncream formulas.
Skin Compatibility
Tallow is remarkably similar in structure to the oils your skin naturally produces. That means it absorbs beautifully, helps balance your skin’s microbiome, and supports your natural barrier without clogging pores or causing irritation. This is why we always recommend OhSo Bare for those even with sensitive skin or those with skin conditions like eczema as our formulas are ultra nourishing.
Rich in Skin-Loving Nutrients
Beef tallow is packed with fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, all of which are essential for skin health. These nutrients help soothe inflammation, promote healing, and protect against environmental stressors like sun damage - the perfect ingredient for our sunrays creams.
A Natural, Whole Ingredient
Unlike many commercial suncreams filled with synthetics, parabens, and questionable UV filters, our formula uses beef tallow as a base because it’s real. No chemical nasties, just simple, wholesome goodness straight from nature.
Naturally Protective
While tallow itself doesn’t act as a UV filter, it creates a breathable layer on the skin that locks in moisture and supports the function of our natural mineral blockers, like non-nano zinc oxide, giving you non-toxic, broad-spectrum sun protection without compromise.
Does Beef Tallow Smell?
One of the most common questions we get is ‘Does it smell like beef?’, and the short answer is no, not really! Well, you're not going to end up smelling like a lasagna, let's put it that way. While beef tallow is our star ingredient, our sun creams don’t carry a strong or unpleasant scent. We carefully blend the tallow with cold-pressed and botanical oils, which not only nourish the skin but also help neutralise any natural aroma. Our suncream is available in three options: Peppermint & Cacao, which is refreshing and slightly sweet; Lavender, a calming classic ideal for sensitive skin and Unscented for those who prefer to keep things completely fragrance-free.
With the unscented version, you may notice a faint tallow scent but that’s just the nature of using a real, unprocessed ingredient. Some customers have even compared it to the soft, clean scent of baby products. It’s a subtle scent that fades quickly once applied and isn’t overpowering or unpleasant. If anything, it’s just another sign that you’re feeding your skin something pure and natural, and we kind of love that at OhSo - how very hippie of us!
The Conclusion
Using beef tallow in skincare might sound old-fashioned, but for us, it represents a return to what’s real, simple, and skin-kind. Our non-toxic suncream is made with minimal ingredients, maximum nourishment, and zero compromise on quality and 100% organic, grass-fed tallow is what makes that possible. Because when you strip back the unnecessary, what’s left is OhSo Bare.
Safe to use on children, shop now for you and the full family.
