I’ve never heard of tallow. How should I get started with Buffalo Gal?

Our Sets are the best way to get started with tallow. They follow our recommended Cleanse-Tone-Nourish formula for skin that is clean, balanced and glowing.

 

Does you tallow come from animals that are 100% grain, antibiotic, hormone, GMO, pesticide, and mRNA vaccine free?

Yes!  We practice the true definition of regenerative agriculture.  We raise species of livestock that require very little artificial inputs from us.  We also believe what you put on your skin is as important as what you eat.  We process our tallow avoiding plastic exposure whenever possible and no aluminum is ever used.

Do your products smell beefy?
The short answer is "sometimes."  Let us explain . . .  

Keep in mind that tallow is a food, a nutrient dense food.  And nutrients have scents!

First, it is important to note that our tallow is rendered only from suet, a slab of very pure fat surrounding the kidneys of a ruminant animal.  Its purity is what makes it ideal for skincare use to begin with.  

For that reason, we do not "purify" our tallow, a popular method of adding water and salt during and/or after the rendering process in an effort to make the tallow odorless.  Despite widespread claims, lab testing reveals that the delicate vitamins found in tallow are lost in this process, hence, why it loses its natural scent and color.  Additionally, the natural fatty acid profile of tallow is imbalanced by this process.  We choose to also avoid the potential for pathogens to grow in the finished product with the use of this method. 

Our 100% grassfed and finished tallow begins with clean suet that is minimally processed, which includes dry rendering at a lower temperature.  We believe the resulting product is the highest quality tallow for skincare.  In kind, it supports and nourishes our skin's natural microbiome, making it one of the most powerful and effective skincare ingredients around! 

Tallow with its nutritional integrity in tact smells like nutrients!  As a result, sensitive noses may detect an animal scent.  We think it smells good!  Once applied, most of this scent dissipates as the product absorbs.  Plus, it is nourishing beyond anything else on the market can provide.

Read more about this on our Blog post here. 

We were the first tallow-based brand to infuse our tallow with fragrant plant and resin infusions.  We also use a range of essential oils* in many of our scented options to add natural scents to some of our balms, and our fans are obsessed with the way our products smell. 

For those with the most sensitive olfactory palates, our Body Butter Bars are our mildest smelling tallow product.  

*The use of essential oils is truly a matter of personal choice.  We do not believe they are inherently "bad", as some proclaim -- we have been using them for over 3 decades with amazing results both personally and professionally.  We have plenty of unscented options available to those sensitive to them.  

 

Do you have a return policy?

Yes, we do!  Please view it here.

 

Why do you no longer offer the Curated Sample Set?

We have reached a volume of sales that make it difficult to fill sample requests as an order item.  We apologize to those whom it has affected.  Samples may still be requested in the Notes at checkout.  Just let us know what you would like to try and we will do our best to accommodate your request.

 

Can I buy plain tallow so I can make my own products?

We carefully calibrate our manufacturing based on our own farm’s supply of grassfed tallow. This process means we honor our animals by using as much of them as possible. It also means that we don’t have enough supply to sell raw ingredients. Our products are completely artisanal, and we think the results are well worth it!

I have extreme allergies. Do you offer products for sensitive skin?

Yes! Many of our most enthusiastic clients are those with the most sensitive skin, food allergies, autoimmune conditions, etc. Our grassfed water buffalo tallow is hypoallergenic, and we offer unscented products for very sensitive skin. In addition, many of our natural ingredients for skincare are healing for sensitive skin.

My child has eczema.  What do you recommend?
Our Herbal Tallow Balm - Eczema Blend or Tallow & Emu Balm are nourishing, soothing and beneficial for eczema. Anecdotally, our clients tell us these products make a big difference in their little ones’ comfort.

One of your Tallow Balms doesn’t seem to absorb well into my skin. What should I do?

You may simply have applied too much. A little really does go a long way with tallow products. Give your product more time to absorb and consider applying at night.  Remember to pat this balm onto your skin rather than rub.  Alternatively, gently exfoliating occasionally can help with skin cell turnover and may help products absorb more readily.  We don't recommend exfoliation in general but on rare occasion it may be helpful.

What do you recommend for excessively oily skin or acne-prone skin?

Often, harsh cleansers strip these oils away, leaving the skin to overcorrect by producing too much oil. Oil cleansing is a profoundly healing alternative for oily skin. The principle of like-dissolving-like is hard at work when you oil cleanse, meaning you remove dirt, debris and buildup from your pores without stripping your skin of its natural moisture balance. We recommend our Tallow Cleansing Balm or Mending Oil. If you’re unsure where to start, begin with our Basics Skin Set.

Our handcrafted Tallow Soaps are very mild and are suitable for using for the complexion.  Our Milk & Honey Facial Bar is a very popular choice!