Is beef fat for your skin really all that it’s cracked up to be?

Absolutely. And you can believe us because we were once skeptics too. Ashley was the only one who praised the benefits of tallow. Until one day, Lori (her mom) decided to try to whip up a batch for fun.

Benefits of tallow

After a long day out in the wind and freezing sleet, you learn pretty quickly that nothing heals a pair of cracked, hardworking hands quite like the fat from the very animals we raise. There’s a natural logic to using beef tallow on your skin; since its lipid profile is remarkably similar to our own human sebum, it doesn't just sit on the surface like some watery, chemical-filled lotion—it actually sinks in and feeds the skin. When we render down the suet from our cattle, we’re left with a powerhouse of fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K that you just can't replicate in a lab. It’s honest, traditional skincare that honors the whole animal, providing a rich, anti-inflammatory barrier that keeps skin supple and resilient against the elements, just as nature intended.

How we make it

We collect the suet (kidney fat) from the beef as they’re harvested and then we render it as grandma used to with lard. The end result is a beautiful chalk white, solid brick of tallow that can be used for cooking, frying or skincare.

Lori then melts the tallow back down just enough to mix in some essential oils, vitamin E oil and jojoba oil to make it extra nutritious for your skin and delightful to smell. She whips it like Sunday morning waffle whip cream topping and then fills these lovely glass jars to the brim with body butter.

What sets Bessy’s apart?

Something unique about our body butter is that it doesn’t sit on your skin and keep you greasy. Thanks to arrowroot powder, the tallow lotion soaks in and leaves you feeling moisturized but also ready to turn a door handle or open the pickle jar if necessary.

This works for hands, feet, body, and even face moisturizer.

Why the name Bessy?

Honestly, it just sounded right. The red bandana is reminiscent of a rosie the riveter, hard working and ready to get the job done. Not to mention, an absolute patriot. If that doesn’t sound like an American farmer, I’m not sure what does. Bessy and her logo honor the work of the farmer who made the tallow body butter and share it with you now.

As a fun side note, one of the first fan’s of Bessy’s Body Butter is also named Lori. She got a real kick out of thinking the lotion was named after her - Lori Bess. It’s not, but we love the story.