Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is tallow and why should i use it in my skincare routine?

Tallow is a natural, rich fat derived from animals like cattle, sheep, goats, or even pigs (lard). The fat is carefully rendered using slow heat, which separates the waste oils and solids, leaving behind a beautifully pure product that is rich in essential fatty acids and nutrients. This makes tallow a fantastic addition to your skincare routine, as it’s deeply nourishing and naturally hydrating for your skin. Tallow is a natural product that is less likely to irritate, making it perfect for those with sensitive skin or conditions like eczema and acne. It contains vitamins A, D, K, and E, all of which are important for maintaining healthy skin and supporting its natural healing processes.

Tallow is a powerful, nourishing ingredient that helps restore and protect your skin, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a more natural, effective skincare solution.

2. Do you sell larger sizes in your tallow products?

No, unfortunately we currently do not stock any larger than our 50ml jars. Our Tallow based products are preservative free, to ensure your product is being used within a reasonable time frame we only stock what we expect people to use.

3. My skin feels too oily after application of a tallow cream product, why?

Ensure when using tallow products for the first time, to always follow the less is best applications. Only tiny amounts are needed for most skin types. Re application may be needed if your skin has yet to reach skin saturation. Our skin only absorbs what it needs, the oily feeling is excess tallow product.

4. What is skin saturation?

Skin saturation is where a moisturizing cream or serum has reached maximum absorbency and can no longer be absorbed into the skin. By following the less is best application method you are not wasting products.

It is best to start off with a thumb nail size amount of product, to see how far it spreads. You can always add more if need be. Better to use less and add more, than to use lots and leave your skin saturated to quickly before it has had a chance to absorb.

5. I've applied to much product; how do I remove it?

Remove excess tallow-based product by using a clean cloth, cotton is best. Do not wash with plain water. As tallow is of an oil substance, water will make it difficult to remove without soap to help disperse the oil residue.

6. Does tallow leave your skin smelling like tallow?

No, the tallow smell does not remain on your skin, the slight scent you initially smell disappears rather quickly. Tallow does not have an unpleasant smell, it's hard to describe but as an idea grass-fed beef tallow has a "beefy" smell. But when mixed with other ingredients such as coconut oil or essential oils. It takes on their fragrances almost fully. Leaving only the slightest hint of its natural smell. Which fades away almost instantly on the skin.

At this stage only one of our products contain an essential oil, that is the lavender infused Whipped Tallow Night Cream. Lavender infusion alone, doesn't give off the relaxing lavender smell. So, an essential oil is needed to help fragrance the product. We try to avoid using many essential oils and fragrances, as our products are to be safe for the whole family. Some children and adults can react with essential oils and fragrances. Hence why we don't use them in every product. However, new products rolling out will have the option of essential oil free, if able to do so. To maintain the option for those sensitive to essential oils.

7. Can I use the tallow-based products under my liquid foundation makeup?

Yes, the Whipped Tallow Cream makes an excellent under make up moisturizing base. Apply as you would at night, before applying the foundation. I have even used it over the Harsh Rays Day Cream and had similar positive results.

8. Does it run off in the heat, when I'm all sweaty?

Like most creams, as we sweat, our pores release some product that was absorbed. So yes, some product may expel to the surface of your skin when undertaking strenuous activities that cause you to sweat. But it doesn't run.

9. Can I wear the Harsh Rays Day Cream while swimming?

Absolutely! The cream does not wash off easily in water, given it is an oil substance base. If you feel oily upon leaving the water, pat your skin dry with a dry towel and re-apply if need be.

10. Is the Harsh Rays Day Cream safe for babies and kids to wear in the sun, is it a sunscreen?

As with all skin products, caution must be used when applying on children and babies under 6 months of age. If you choose to apply it, ensure you patch test first and stop use immediately if there is any irritation. Washing the affected area with water and soap to remove any residue. Pat dry with a clean cloth.

Our product does contain ingredients like non-nano zinc oxide, which is known for its UV-blocking properties and is commonly used in sunscreens. However, this product is not marketed or tested as a sunscreen, and we do not claim it provides SPF protection.

11. My soap has disintegrated whilst using it, why?

Tallow based soaps are very easily destroyed if kept damp. Ensure that they do not sit in any water for long periods of time. Allow them to dry out between use. A self-draining soap rack or one of our exfoliating soap pockets are ideal.

12. How do I store my tallow products? 

Out of direct sunlight, away from heat sources and under 30 °c. If they are kept in hot and humid environments such as a bathroom they will spoil rather quickly. The kitchen bench or bedside table where they receive good air flow is ideal. Our products are preservative free, a little extra care is needed to ensure they are kept in optimal condition. Ideally tallow products can last 6 months without spoil. As long as they are stored correctly.

13. Can I use comfrey on an infected wound?

No. While comfrey is often used for skin care, it is not recommended for use on infected wounds. Comfrey is better suited for use on skin that is no longer affected by infection, such as on scars, healed cuts, abrasions, burns, sunburns, and bites. Always consult a healthcare professional for advice on treating infections.

14. What ingredients are in the products?

We use a small variety of ingredients, all natural and toxin free. Tallow, being our main ingredient of most products. We also use; camellia oil, coconut oil, beeswax, various herbs and flowers: comfrey, calendula, rosemary, neem and lavender, non-nano zinc oxide and ferric oxide as a natural tinting agent. Our soaps contain sodium hydroxide, herb infused tallow and water.

15. Are your products locally sourced?

Yes! We source our products from local and Australian owned businesses. I do not import any active ingredients. Our tallows come from active paddock to plate businesses in and around Townsville, branching as far west to charters towers. So, we know first-hand the ethical practices behind the raising of the cattle that produce this wonderous product. Some of these families are up to fourth generation farmers! 

Our herbs and flowers come from suppliers and hobbyists who source their plants organically natural and toxin free.

We only purchase our ingredients from Australian owned and operated suppliers.

16. My Harsh Rays Day Cream was left in a warm position and has now started to liquify! What do I do?

The formulation can tolerate some heat exposure.

However, if the product runs out of the tube or jar as a full liquid immediately bring the cream into somewhere cooler to start its solidification process. Unfortunately depending on the state of liquification; the non-nano zinc oxide may have started to settle on the bottom of the jar. The easiest way to ensure it remains mixed evenly throughout the cream, is to mix with a spoon over the course of its solidification process. if the tubed version, continuously shake till solidification process is complete.

Ensure that the cream is not excessively exposed to sun or hot environments to prevent this occurring again. Throughout its batching process, we maintain continual monitoring of this process to ensure even distribution. If you fail to stir through its re-solidification process, all non-nano zinc oxide particles will be settled on the bottom of the tin.

17. Why would I like the tinted version?

The products are the same in every way except for the tinting agent. It comes down to preference, the non-nano zinc oxide leaves a white look to the skin before its fully absorbed. The tinted version gives it a creamy/brown color which may be ideal for those who have darker skin types. Or those who don't like to have pale residue on their skin in the timeframe for absorption.

18. I see other sellers use Olive Oil in their products, why don't you?

Olive oil has a shorter shelf life than camellia oil. Also, it goes rancid especially in warm conditions. Not ideal for Qld living. Olive oil also leaves an off-putting smell in products, that need to be masked with Essential oils and fragrances. 

Camellia oil is suggested to have its own natural UV protection, is a smoother, thinner oil which makes it non-comedogenic (doesn't clog pores). Is amazing for the skin with its vitamins and minerals being double the amount than what olive oil has. Which makes it a great companion oil for our products!

19. Why do the soaps vary in color and designs when I order? For example, calendula now has flowers seated on top?

As our business grows, so does our visual aesthetics for our products. Each time we batch soap; we ensure to make it better than the last batch. All our ingredients remain the same. Soap color variations can change due to the different herbs we source. The calendula flowers we locally sourced for batch A will be different to batch D for example. Some darkening in areas of the soap is evidence of the herbal infusion taking place within batching. Since we don't change our soap appearance with any synthetic or unethically sourced mica powders. Our pure tallow colors can vary from these infusions. But rest assured they are still the same beneficial products each time.

20. Why do the creams vary in color's, my whipped tallow last time was crisp white now this one is more cream?

Our beef suet which we use to render our tallow comes from a grass accredited farming production. Thier cattle feed predominantly on grass. In different periods of grass growth, e.g. dry and wet the grasses carotenoids levels can differ.

Beta-carotene is responsible for yellowing of the fat. Higher grass intake equals more yellow finish to the fats before they are rendered.

21. My balms have appeared to have sweated, what can I do?

Hot and humid environments can cause sweating in balms. The best thing to do is place them in the fridge till they have resolidified and store them in a cooler part of the home. If it continuously happens, they can be stored in the fridge happily.

22. What utensils do you use and are you latex free?

We use predominantly, untreated timber utensils alongside silicone Moulds. We also utilize, stainless steel bowls and glass/plastic jugs/measuring cups.

Following 31.01.2025 we now only use latex free gloves in our processing. But please note unfortunately we cannot confirm if the ingredients we source are from latex free environments.

But at beneficial basics skincare we now aim to avoid latex use in all future product formulation.

23. What is the cloudiness on the bottom of the magnesium oil?

if left unused for a period of time, the magnesium sulphates can settle as a residue on the bottom- shake well before each use.

24. Are your magnesium flakes dead sea salts?

Yes, our Magnesium Chloride is classed as "Dead Sea Salts'' from the supplier we source from.

25. Why are there occasionally solid small rice sized pieces in the whipped tallow?

The small rice-sized pieces you may notice in your whipped tallow are completely normal and occur due to the natural consistency of tallow. When the tallow is whipped, it can sometimes retain tiny, solid particles that haven't fully melted. These particles are harmless and do not affect the quality or effectiveness of the product. They are simply a natural part of the process and contribute to the unique texture of the whipped tallow. Over time, these pieces will gradually melt when exposed to body heat or when gently massaged into the skin. Though we endeavor in our batching process to ensure these occur at a minimum, we cannot always notice them in the finished product- given how small they are. 

26. Why does the magnesium oil have a best before of 8 weeks? Following that, yellow deposits have started to be visible, is it still safe to use?

We take pride in crafting small-batch, handcrafted magnesium oil with the highest standards of quality. While we ensure the best possible conditions for batching, there’s an important factor to note regarding the magnesium chloride flakes we use.

Magnesium chloride is naturally sourced, impurities can sometimes be present in the flakes. These impurities, often in the form of trace minerals, can cause yellow deposits to develop in the oil after a period of time—typically around 8 weeks.

The yellow discoloration is a natural reaction between the minerals and the magnesium oil, and while it’s not harmful, it’s a sign of the natural, unrefined nature of our product. As a small business, we strive for purity, but due to the inherent properties of magnesium chloride, it's impossible to completely eliminate these minor impurities in our small, handcrafted batching process.

Rest assured, the effectiveness remains unchanged, and the yellow deposits are simply part of the natural aging process of a handmade, small-batch product. We use clear bottles to package our magnesium oil, allowing you to visibly see this natural discoloration as it occurs, especially after the "best before" date has passed.

The yellow discoloration is a normal reaction between the minerals and the oil and can be found in almost every brand of magnesium oil product at some point in time. 

While it’s not harmful, for us as a small batch business it’s a sign of the unrefined, natural nature of our product. While the effectiveness of the magnesium oil remains unchanged, we want to make sure you’re aware that this color change is part of the natural aging process of our handcrafted product. Storing your magnesium oil out of direct light can assist in prolonging the discoloration process from occurring.