Your skin's new best friend

With growing awareness around sustainability, whole foods, & clean eating, tallow—rendered beef fat once prized by past generations, is finding its way back into modern kitchens as both a versatile cooking ingredient & a natural skincare product.

We caught up with Thrive Tallow’s co-founder Sarah, a Sunshine Coast local passionate about reconnecting people with the wisdom of ancestral diets.

How did Thrive Tallow come to fruition?

Thrive is something I had been dreaming up since 2020. After learning about ancestral nutrition, I discovered tallow for cooking & soon after learnt about the benefits for use in skincare. I have never felt nourishment for my skin like I did with tallow & my husband (& co-founder) Aaron was constantly encouraging me to share our products with everyone.

What exactly is Tallow & what benefits does it offer?

Beef tallow is rendered fat from cows & a rich source of several vitamins that include:

Vitamin A: Vital for skin cell turnover & repair. Vitamin A helps to maintain the integrity of the skin & can promote a smooth, even texture by stimulating collagen production & encouraging the healing of damaged skin.

Vitamin D: Known for its role in skin cell growth, vitamin D is also important for the skin's immune function. It helps regulate the skin's natural barrier, preventing dehydration & keeping it hydrated. Vitamin D can also reduce the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles by encouraging the production of new skin cells.

Vitamin E: This antioxidant protects the skin from oxidative stress caused by free radicals, which can contribute to premature aging. Vitamin E also has anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe irritated or inflamed skin. It supports moisture retention, making the skin look plump & healthy.

Vitamin K2: Helpful with skin elasticity, Vitamin K2 can potentially reduces the appearance of dark circles & bruising by improving blood circulation & promoting skin healing.

We are committed as a brand to only offer the highest quality tallow skincare; this means using suet from farm/s that we have full visibility into how the cattle are raised. We currently work with one farm who guarantees that the cows are chemical, hormone & bovaer free, grass fed & finished (pasture raised).

At Thrive it’s important that we source our premium beef tallow from local, sustainable farms that treat their cattle with respect & care. We also chose recyclable packaging.

Tells us about your favourite product?

I’ve always been a whipped tallow girl, but lately I can’t get enough of our original tallow balm - it gives me that extra layer of deep hydration I need. Once my son is asleep, I make time for a little self-care. I pack on our tallow balm, grab my Gua Sha & sip on a herbal tea before bed. It’s the perfect boost to wake up to glowing skin, especially when I’m time-poor, chasing a toddler & running a business!

What are the key values of Thrive Tallow?

1. Sustainably sourced, locally grown: We believe in supporting local farms that treat their cattle with respect & care.

2. Nourishment: Our products are packed with nature’s most nourishing vitamins—vitamin A, D, E & K2—all of which promote healthy, glowing skin. The natural goodness of beef tallow helps restore moisture, repair & protect the skin, leaving it smooth, soft & radiant.

3. A commitment to ethical practices: From the way our ingredients are sourced to the way we run our business; we’re dedicated to doing things right. We believe in transparency & sustainability, making sure that each step in the process reflects our core values.

4. Food-Grade: Our tallow is 100% food-grade, meaning it’s safe & pure enough to be consumed. We use the same top-tier tallow for both our skincare & food products, ensuring you get the cleanest, most nourishing tallow.

What product are you most proud of?

Our Sun Balm with Zinc is incredible because of its versatility. Whether it's soothing & protecting sensitive skin as a nappy rash cream, providing an extra layer of defence as a sun care product, or creating a smooth, hydrated base as a makeup primer. Our Sun Balm with Zinc (non-nano zinc oxide) truly does it all. Knowing that this product can be used for so many different needs & delivers such effective results, makes me proud to offer it to our customers. Those with sensitive skin, eczema or inflammation could also benefit.

Whether you're a cook seeking a healthier fat source or someone looking to simplify your skincare with wholesome ingredients, tallow offers a surprisingly versatile solution rooted in time-tested tradition.