Every product is made by one pair of hands, from start to finish
Hi, I’m Christine, the maker behind Brown Cow Tallow.
My journey into natural skincare started years ago, around the time my children were born, when I became much more conscious about what we were putting on our skin and into our bodies. Like a lot of people, I started reading labels more carefully and realised how many everyday products were filled with harsh oils, artificial colours, synthetic fragrances, and ingredients I couldn’t even pronounce.
I struggled to find soaps and skincare that felt truly simple and nourishing, so I decided to go back to basics and start making my own.
Born and raised in the Waikato region of New Zealand, I grew up around farms, gardens, and a way of life that valued making things properly, using what you have, and keeping things simple. Living a homestead lifestyle with a large organic vegetable garden, it felt only natural to create products that reflected the same values we try to live by every day.
What started out as a necessity quickly turned into a real passion. Over the years, I’ve spent countless hours learning, testing, and refining my recipes to create products that are not only beautiful to use, but genuinely good for your skin.
Today, every Brown Cow Tallow product is handmade by me in small batches using traditional methods, pure ingredients, natural colourants, and nourishing tallow. From creamy soaps to whipped tallow creams, everything is carefully made, packaged, and sent by me personally, with the goal of keeping skincare simple, effective, and as close to nature as possible.
Why Tallow?
Tallow has been used in traditional skincare for generations, long before modern products filled with synthetic ingredients became the norm. It is naturally rich in vitamins A, D, E and K, along with nourishing fatty acids that closely resemble the oils found in our own skin. This means it absorbs beautifully, helps support the skin barrier, and leaves skin feeling soft and moisturised without the greasy feeling that many products can leave behind.
I love using tallow because it is simple, gentle, and effective. Rather than relying on long lists of complicated ingredients, tallow allows me to create skincare that works with your skin, not against it. It is especially loved by people with dry, sensitive, or easily irritated skin who are looking for a more natural alternative.
Your Questions, Answered
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No - not at all. Our tallow is carefully rendered and filtered multiple times using only premium suet, which removes any strong scent while keeping all the nourishing benefits. The result is a very mild, natural aroma. A little goes a long way.
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Each tin will comfortably last up to 12 months when stored in a cool, dry place. However, we recommend using it within 6 months for optimal freshness - which is why that’s the expiry listed on the tin.
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Yes. Our whipped tallow is packaged in food-grade aluminium tins that are perfectly safe for cosmetic use. Because the product is completely water-free (anhydrous), it remains stable and does not react with the packaging.
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Tallow is naturally rich in fat-soluble vitamins and essential fatty acids, helping to support hydrated, balanced skin without synthetic ingredients. It’s gentle and non-irritating, making it suitable for most skin types — including dry, sensitive, and mature skin.
It’s also considered non-comedogenic for most people. -
We source our tallow from local New Zealand farmers, using high-quality, grass-fed, GMO-free beef suet.
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We use organic jojoba oil because it closely mimics the skin’s natural oils, blended with tallow, it helps your skin recognise the product and helps to balance and absorb beautifully without feeling greasy. It adds an extra layer of nourishment, improves texture, and makes the cream suitable for a wider range of skin types - especially sensitive or reactive skin. Jojoba oil also extends shelf life of the product and does oxidise easily.
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Within New Zealand usually 2-5 business days. Internationally 2-4 weeks but this can vary on the time of the year.
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A small amount goes a long way. Warm a pea-sized amount between your fingers and gently press into the skin. Best applied to slightly damp skin for maximum absorption.
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Tallow is generally considered non-comedogenic and works well for many skin types. However, everyone’s skin is different - we recommend patch testing if you’re prone to breakouts.
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Because tallow is rich in skin-supporting nutrients and doesn’t contain synthetic fillers, many people find it helps calm and balance their skin. That said, results can vary - start with a small amount and see how your skin responds.
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Yes - the simple, natural formulation makes it gentle enough for most sensitive skin, including babies, We recommend the unscented tallow soap and whipped tallow face and body for babies and children.
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Tallow is sensitive to temperature. In warmer conditions it may soften or melt, and in colder weather it may firm up - this is completely normal and doesn’t affect quality. If melted, simply allow it to cool and it will re-set (texture may be slightly different but still perfectly usable).
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No - our whipped tallow and tallow soap is completely natural, so it doesn’t require preservatives. Just simple, nourishing ingredients.
I received my first whipped tallow face cream as a Christmas gift, and I’ve been hooked ever since. I loved it so much I had to track down where it came from to order more! The product is beautiful - especially the frankincense, and feels truly high quality. I also love supporting a local small business, and Christine is an absolute pleasure to deal with. Highly recommend Brown Cow Tallow!
- Adele, Cambridge, New Zealand