Why Winter Tallow Is Exactly What Your Skin Needs This Season

When it comes to skincare, we believe nature knows best. One of the most fascinating ways nature shows up in our products is through the seasonal shifts in grass-fed beef suet - the fat we render into nutrient-rich tallow.

You might not think much about what cows eat in summer versus winter, but their diet directly impacts the fatty acid profile (the mix of different fat types) of their fat. And that, in turn, affects the texture, feel, and benefits of the tallow we apply to your skin.

Let's explore how the seasons shape tallow - and why that's great news for your skincare routine.

Why does your skin need more in winter?

As temperatures drop, your skin sends out distress signals: dryness, tightness, flakiness, even cracking. Cold air, low humidity, and indoor heating all work to strip away your skin's natural moisture barrier.

Just as we crave heartier, warming foods in winter, our skin needs richer, more occlusive (barrier-forming, moisture-sealing) nourishment to stay balanced. And here's where it gets interesting: the fatty acid composition of tallow can shift with the seasons, influenced by the animal's diet, climate, and physiological state.

Winter tallow vs summer tallow: what's the difference? 

We like to think of tallow in two seasonal forms:

Winter Tallow -

Richer and firmer, with a naturally higher share of saturated fats like stearic and palmitic acid (the solid, waxy-feeling fats common in animal fat).

Summer Tallow -

Softer, with a naturally higher share of unsaturated fats like omega-3s and CLA (conjugated linoleic acid, a beneficial fatty acid grass-fed animals produce more of when eating fresh pasture).

Let's look at how each version supports your skin:

What are the benefits of winter tallow for your skin? 

• High in Saturated Fats - Forms a strong, occlusive barrier to lock in moisture.
• Rich Texture - Creates a protective, emollient (softening) layer that shields against wind and cold.
• Slower Absorption - Provides long-lasting hydration and defence against trans-epidermal water loss (moisture escaping through the skin's surface into the air).
• Stable Composition - Less prone to oxidation (breaking down over time) - practical for harsh winter environments.
• Naturally Seasonal - Reflects what animals produce in winter: protective, insulating fat.

What is summer tallow best for? 

While winter tallow excels in cold-weather care, spring/summer tallow - softer and higher in unsaturated fats - is ideal for:

• Lighter, fast-absorbing formulations
• Skin recovering from inflammation or sun exposure
• Regenerative day creams that feel light and fresh

Why does seasonally-aligned tallow make sense? 

In cold weather, your skin demands more. Winter tallow nourishes deeply, protects fiercely, and aligns with your body's seasonal rhythms - creating a stronger barrier, locking in moisture, and guarding against the elements, without synthetic ingredients.

Nature knows what it's doing. We simply follow her lead. At It's All Good, we work exclusively with 100% grass-fed, pasture-raised suet, and we've observed how seasonal changes in diet can shift the fat's composition and feel.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Does tallow really change with the seasons? 

Grass-fed animals' diets change naturally through the year, and diet is one of the factors that influences the fatty acid makeup of their fat. So yes, some seasonal variation is expected and documented in the research, though it's one factor among several (breed, individual animal, region) that shape any single batch.

Can I use winter tallow year-round? 

Yes - it's simply richer, so it particularly shines in cold, dry conditions. Many people use it year-round regardless of season.

Is summer tallow less effective than winter tallow? 

No, just different. It's suited to lighter, faster-absorbing use and to skin that needs a gentler touch, such as after sun exposure.

 

References

• Daley, C. A., et al. (2010). A review of fatty acid profiles and antioxidant content in grass-fed and grain-fed beef. Nutrition Journal, 9(1), 10.
• Smith, S. B., et al. (2019). Regulation of fat composition in beef cattle. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences, 27(1), 25–36.
• Madison, K. C. (2003). Barrier function of the skin: “La Raison d’Être” of the epidermis. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 121(2), 231–241.
• Azzi, A., et al. (2012). Antioxidant and prooxidant effects of conjugated linoleic acid. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 33(12), 1700–1711.
• Dermato-Endocrinology (2014). Omega-3 and inflammation in skin health.