You Do You, But We Don’t Do Tallow

Ethical considerations of tallow in skincare

At Nature Body, we believe skincare should feel good - for your skin, for your conscience, and for the planet. We celebrate choice and know everyone makes their own choices about what they put on their skin. But when it comes to tallow (fat derived from animals), we’ve made our stance clear: we don’t use it, and here’s why.

Tallow is rendered animal fat, most often from cows or sheep. It’s been used in skincare and soap for generations because it can create a rich, creamy texture and helps seal in moisture. Traditionally, it made sense as people used what was available.

But times change. These days, we have access to incredible plant-based and ethical alternatives that nourish skin just as beautifully, without relying on ingredients that come from animal slaughter.

Our choice is simple: we want our skincare to be kind - to people, animals, and the environment.

Tallow is a by-product of the meat industry, which comes with significant animal welfare and environmental costs. The production of animal fat contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and water pollution. That doesn’t sit comfortably with our values of sustainable, cruelty-free products.

We also believe beauty doesn’t need to come from animal fat. Our skin thrives on the goodness of nature - oils, butters, and botanicals that are full of nutrients, antioxidants, and natural vitamins.

We use a range of plant-based oils and butters such as hempseed, jojoba, avocado, and coconut oils, and shea butter. These deeply hydrate, and support skin barrier function, naturally.

They’re renewable, ethically sourced, and gentle on both skin and the planet. Plus, they offer the same soft, supple finish people often seek from tallow-based products, without compromise.

You may notice that some of our products contain beeswax and mānuka honey, and we choose to include these ingredients thoughtfully and respectfully.

Our view is that bees aren’t purposely harmed or slaughtered to produce these materials, and we source from local suppliers who share our values of ethical and sustainable practice. Beeswax and honey offer incredible natural benefits for the skin - hydrating, soothing, and healing - and when harvested with care, they can be part of a balanced, ethical approach to natural skincare.

We’re not here to judge. Everyone’s skin story and values are different. But we believe that when we know better, we can choose better.

Choosing cruelty-free, plant-based skincare (with ethically sourced bee ingredients where used) supports a more sustainable future - one that cares for all living things. It’s a small shift that adds up, helping move the beauty industry toward greater transparency and kindness.

At Nature Body, our products are 100% cruelty-free and made from natural, sustainably sourced ingredients. We handcraft everything here in Aotearoa with care - blending Rongoā rākau and modern botanical formulation to create skincare that replenishes, soothes, and restores.

To us, true beauty is natural, sustainable, and compassionate.