Count the Ingredients
The Talova Face + Body Balm
Count the ingredients.
The moisturizer in your cabinet has 30 or more. This one has eight, and six of them are certified organic. Go ahead and read the label. We printed it large.
Two labels. Read both.
You already flip the box over at the grocery store. Do the same thing here. One of these lists needs a chemistry degree. The other needs about ten seconds.
A typical "hydrating" face cream
Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Isopropyl Palmitate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Phenoxyethanol, Cetyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Stearic Acid, Polysorbate 60, Dimethiconol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Polyacrylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propylene Glycol, Chlorphenesin, BHT, Triethanolamine, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Fragrance (Parfum), Limonene
A representative label, built from the ingredients that appear over and over on mass-market moisturizers. Yours probably looks a lot like this.
Talova Face + Body Balm
- Grass-fed beef tallow, pure rendered
- Emu oil
- Mango seed butter*
- Grapefruit peel oil*
- Sunflower seed oil*
- Rosemary leaf extract*
- Sea buckthorn fruit oil*
- Vitamin E oil*
* Certified organic ingredient
That is the entire list. Nothing abbreviated. Nothing tucked behind "and other ingredients."
What you will never find in the jar
Every ingredient, and exactly why it is there
A short list only works if each line earns its place. Here is the job description for all eight.
The foundation. Rendered tallow closely mirrors the lipids in healthy skin, so it absorbs intuitively instead of sitting on the surface, and it naturally carries vitamins A, D, E, and K.
Rich in essential fatty acids and prized for how easily it absorbs, it helps the balm melt in without a greasy or waxy after-feel.
A plant butter that softens and smooths, giving the balm its velvety texture.
The only scent in the jar. A light, natural citrus note that fades quickly after application. No "fragrance," no "parfum."
A lightweight oil rich in linoleic acid that supports a healthy skin barrier and helps the formula spread evenly.
Nature's answer to a preservative system: it helps keep the oils fresh without synthetic stabilizers.
An antioxidant-dense berry oil that delivers vitamins and essential fatty acids for visible glow.
A classic antioxidant that protects both the formula and your skin from oxidative stress.
* Certified organic ingredient
Three reasons label readers keep this jar on the counter
One step, and you are done
The ten-step routine exists partly to fix what the earlier steps caused. A barrier-first balm skips the loop: cleanse, apply, go. One jar covers face, body, hands, and every dry patch in between, morning and night.
It speaks your skin's language
Most creams are mostly water, held together by emulsifiers and stabilizers. Grass-fed tallow closely resembles the lipids already in your skin, so the nutrients are delivered in a form your skin recognizes. Moisture that supports the barrier instead of masking dryness.
The label is the marketing
No proprietary complexes. No trademarked molecules you cannot look up. Every ingredient is a whole ingredient with a name you already know, sourced from suppliers who share the standard. If a line cannot justify itself, it does not make the jar.
Not all moisturizers are built the same
| Talova Face + Body Balm | Typical moisturizers |
|---|---|
| Grass-fed tallow that closely mimics skin's natural lipids | Water- or petroleum-based formulas |
| Naturally rich in vitamins A, D, E, and K | Added synthetic vitamins, or none at all |
| Supports the skin barrier and long-lasting moisture | Surface-level moisture that fades quickly |
| Absorbs without a greasy or waxy feel | Can feel heavy, sticky, or overly occlusive |
| 8 ingredients, free from fillers and synthetic fragrance | Long formulas padded with fillers and stabilizers |
What to expect, week by week
Week 1
Skin feels deeply nourished and calmer.
Week 2
Texture appears smoother and more even.
Week 3+
Skin looks stronger, softer, and naturally radiant.
"When we moved to the desert, our skin struggled. We kept coming back to the same answer we had found with food: fewer, whole ingredients. That is the entire idea behind Talova."
Marcello and Madison Giacalone, founders of Talova. Formulated and made in the USA in small batches.
Questions label readers ask
Is tallow really safe to use on my face?
Will it clog my pores?
Does it smell like tallow?
Will it feel greasy?
Why only 8 ingredients when other brands use 30?
Is it safe during pregnancy?
How should I use it?
Free stainless steel application spoon included with your balm.
Face + Body Balm
Eight ingredients. Six certified organic. One step, head to toe.
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- Free US shipping on orders over $99
- Made in the USA in small batches
- Designed for all skin types, including dry and sensitive skin
- Trusted by 1,500+ customers every month