Skincare

Tallow-based skincare, made at 429 McHenry Avenue. Rendered, whipped and poured here in small batches — nothing bought in finished and relabelled.

Why tallow. Skin makes its own protective fat, and the fats in grass-fed beef tallow are remarkably close to the ones your skin already produces — the same saturated and monounsaturated fats, plus vitamins A, D, E and K in the form the body recognizes. That is why tallow absorbs instead of sitting on top, and why it does not need the emulsifiers, silicones and thickeners a water-based lotion requires to hold itself together. It is also what our great-grandmothers used, for the unglamorous reason that it worked and it was on hand.

What we leave out: industrial seed oils, synthetic fragrance, parabens, phenoxyethanol, PEGs and the long tail of stabilizers that exist to give a product a three-year shelf life. Ours are short-ingredient and honest about it.

What we will not tell you: that any of this treats, heals or prevents anything. These are cosmetics. They clean, soften and protect, and we will describe exactly how they feel and what is in them — but the moment a skincare company starts making medical claims, you are being sold something other than the product.

The families of products: the Frontier Organics house line — balms, butters, lotion bars and the everyday essentials. TALO, our premium line in Miron violet glass, richer and more deeply conditioning. TALO Med, the therapeutic end: muscle balm and muscle oil for worked bodies. Tallips, tallow lip balm with beeswax and honey and no petroleum. Alongside them we stock a few outside makers who meet the same bar — including Radiant Skin tallow lotion and Salt + Soul.

Looking for soap, toothpaste or deodorant? Those live on the Hygiene shelf.