Why I Started Making Tallow Cream (and What It Did for My Skin)

Why I Started Making Tallow Cream (and What It Did for My Skin)

Hi Friend! I’m Marina, and I’m deeply committed to promoting a non-toxic, intentional lifestyle. Whether it’s advocating for chemical-free skincare, sustainable home choices, or mindful consumption, I strive to empower people to make better decisions for their health—and for the planet. My mission is to inspire others on the journey to a cleaner, greener, and healthier way of life.

That journey became deeply personal in May 2022, when my world shifted. I was diagnosed with breast cancer just before turning 35. Our son was only five months old at the time. I can’t fully express how intense that season of life was. From the very first day, I started researching, learning, and changing everything—especially what I was putting on my body and my family’s skin.

I stopped buying commercial skincare altogether because I couldn’t trust the ingredient lists. Everything was filled with chemicals I didn’t want near my body, especially during healing. I spent hours reading labels, researching ingredients, and learning how to live more naturally and carefully.

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✨ Discovering Tallow and the Weston A. Price Foundation

Everything changed when I discovered the Weston A. Price Foundation. I learned that tallow—yes, animal fat—wasn’t just an ancestral cooking fat, but also a powerful, nutrient-rich ingredient for the skin.

Tallow is:

• Naturally packed with vitamins A, D, E, and K

• Rich in essential fatty acids that support skin barrier repair

• Bioavailable (our skin knows how to use it)

• Safe, gentle, and incredibly nourishing

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💫 Why I Use Dry-Rendered Suet Tallow from Grass-Fed Cows

Not all tallow is created equal. Most producers use wet rendering, which involves boiling fat in water. That process can trap moisture, dilute nutrients, and give the tallow an unpleasant scent or texture.

At VacaLuna, I use only dry-rendered suet tallow from grass-fed cows. Suet comes from the kidney area and is the most nutrient-dense fat. Dry-rendering preserves the vitamins, keeps the tallow shelf-stable, and creates a pure, clean-smelling base for luxurious skincare.

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🌿 From My Kitchen to VacaLuna

After making my first batch of whipped tallow cream, I started using it daily—and the results were immediate. My skin felt deeply moisturized, calm, and happy. I knew I couldn’t keep this to myself.

That’s how VacaLuna was born—a family-owned, heart-led business I launched in May 2024 as a birthday gift to myself, with the loving help of my husband and mom.

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🌙 A Ritual of Healing, Simplicity, and Nourishment

Each jar of VacaLuna cream is made with care, intention, and a deep respect for both nature and tradition. I blend dry-rendered tallow with beautiful plant butters and oils, like cupuaçu butter, maracujá oil, and vanilla botanical extract, to create not just skincare—but ritual.

This is skincare that feeds your skin and your soul.

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💌 Want to Stay in Touch?

If you’re ready to feel the difference of tallow cream and support a small handmade brand, here are a few ways to connect:

• 👉 Shop VacaLuna products: https://vacaluna.com

• 🌿 Follow my journey and skincare tips on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vacalunaus/

• 🌕 Explore all my links: https://linktr.ee/marinamarfa

• ✉️ Join the email list for updates, blog posts, and special offers: Sign Up Here care@vacaluna.com

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Thank you for being here, supporting handmade, non-toxic skincare—and most of all, for believing in the beauty of healing through nature.

With love,

Marina

Founder of VacaLuna