It’s All About the Benefits – Tallow Soaps & Balms

When it comes to skincare, every ingredient should have a purpose. That’s why we decided to start The Healthy Porcupine, to create natural products our customers understand and trust. Our soaps and balms are made with carefully chosen natural ingredients that go beyond cleansing—they nourish, soothe, and protect your skin. From tallow’s deep hydration to the powerful benefits of essential oils, each element in our products is designed to support your skin’s overall look and feel. Let’s explore why our soaps and balms are packed with benefits you’ll love.

Benefits start with the base

Tallow delivers deep, long-lasting hydration while supporting overall skin vitality. It’s similar to our skin’s natural oils, which help it cleanse and soothe deeper.

• Rich in Vitamins A, D, E, and K – These essential nutrients promote skin regeneration, boost elasticity, and protect against environmental stress.

• Deeply Moisturizing – Unlike water-based lotions that evaporate quickly, tallow provides hydration that lasts all day.

• Strengthens the Skin Barrier – Helps protect against dryness, irritation, and pollutants.

• Naturally Anti-Inflammatory – Soothes sensitive skin, making it an excellent choice for eczema, psoriasis, and dry patches.

Essential oils provide additional benefits

Our soaps and balms feature a blend of essential oils and specialty ingredients, each chosen for their ability to improve your skin’s health. Here are a few of the benefits highlighted: 

Antioxidants

Antioxidants help protect the skin from premature aging and environmental damage while promoting a natural glow. Here are a few of the essential oils in our soaps and balms known for their antioxidant properties:

• Lavender – Not only is lavender essential oil calming but it’s also packed with antioxidants that fight free radicals and reduce irritation.

• Rosemary – A natural skin toner that helps protect against oxidative stress and keeps skin firm.

• Lemon & Lime – Naturally high in vitamin C, these citrus oils brighten skin and even tone while providing strong antioxidant protection.

Anti-Inflammatory

Inflammation is often the root cause of redness, irritation, and discomfort. These essential oils soothe and calm troubled skin:

• Eucalyptus – With its cooling properties, eucalyptus reduces inflammation and provides a refreshing sensation.

• Pine Tar – Traditionally used to relieve eczema, psoriasis, and dry skin, pine tar is a powerful anti-inflammatory and skin soother.

• Peppermint – Naturally cooling and soothing, peppermint helps reduce redness and irritation while offering an invigorating, refreshing sensation.

Antibacterial & Antimicrobial

For your skin to remain at its best, it requires protection from bacteria, fungi, and environmental pollutants. These ingredients help keep your skin clean and clear:

• Tea Tree – A natural antibacterial and antifungal that helps prevent breakouts and supports clear, healthy skin.

• Clove – Offers antimicrobial properties while helping to fight acne and skin infections.

• Lemongrass – Fights bacteria and fungi while toning and balancing oily or acne-prone skin.

• Peppermint – Not only refreshing but also antimicrobial, helping to keep skin fresh and clean.

Regenerative Benefits

For those looking to repair, rejuvenate, and improve skin texture, these ingredients provide natural support:

• Orange – Brightens skin while providing a fresh, uplifting aroma.

• Cedarwood – Supports skin cell regeneration, improves elasticity, and helps maintain a healthy, balanced complexion.

• Lavender – The antioxidants in this essential oil protect you against damage, promote skin regeneration, reduce scarring, and soothe irritation.

Sustainability

Beyond the skincare benefits, choosing our tallow-based soaps and balms is also a more sustainable choice. Tallow is a natural byproduct of the farming industry that would otherwise go to waste. By using it in our skincare products, we’re reducing waste and making use of an ingredient that is both incredibly nourishing and eco-friendly.

Unlike commercial skincare products that rely on synthetic chemicals and palm oil, our soaps and balms are made using natural ingredients in a way that supports your skin and the environment. With minimal processing and no unnecessary fillers, our formulations are as kind to the planet as they are to your skin. 

When you choose our tallow-based skincare, you’re making a choice that benefits your skin, reduces waste, and supports a more sustainable future. Because at the end of the day, it’s all about the benefits.

Your 2024 Tallow Soaps and Balms Wrapped!

As we wrap up the year, it’s time to dive into the numbers that made 2024 shine! Inspired by Spotify’s Wrapped, we’re sharing the highlights of your love for our tallow soaps and balms. From best-sellers to global adventures, here’s your year in review.

Top 5 Products of the Year

1. Pure tallow soap

Taking the crown as 2024’s top seller, this gentle favorite proves that sometimes less is truly more. Beloved for its simple, nourishing formula, it’s the ultimate classic that never goes out of style.

2. Pine Tar 20% tallow soap

A rugged runner-up with a loyal fanbase! Darlene’s favorite is perfect for tough skin challenges and packed with earthy charm. It’s the heavy hitter that keeps you feeling refreshed and restored.

3. Tallow Balm, Unscented

Your unscented MVP of the year! Whether you’re soothing dry skin or protecting against harsh weather, this balm does it all—no wonder it’s a classic.

4. Orange Clove tallow soap

Our most popular scent stole the spotlight yet again! With its warm, spicy aroma, it’s a cozy treat that makes every season feel like the holidays.

5. Cedarwood tallow soap

Bringing earthy sophistication to your skincare, Cedarwood tallow soap rounds out the list. It’s a woodsy escape in a bar, perfect for grounding your routine. 

Fun Stats From 2024

• Top Seller: Pure tallow soap—your ride-or-die!

• Needs More Love: Lavender & Tea Tree tallow soap. This hidden gem has been flying under the radar. Is 2025 the year it gets its time to shine?

• Top Blog Engagement: Surprisingly, our 2022 blog post, “What is Lye, and Why Is It Used in Soap?”, continues to spark curiosity and rack up clicks.

• State with the Most Orders: California takes the crown! Sunshine and soap go hand in hand.

• Busiest Sales Month: November. Whether it’s prepping for gifts or indulging in self-care, it’s clear November is a big month for tallow love. Plus, it’s our annual Small Business Saturday sale!

• Furthest our Products Have Traveled: All the way to Singapore! From local fans to global admirers, our products are truly making waves.

Founder Favorites:

• Jen’s Favorite: Lavender Spearmint Soap. It’s the perfect balance of relaxing and refreshing—a spa day in a bar!

• Darlene’s Favorite: Pine Tar 20% Soap. For its powerhouse performance and campfire-like aroma.

Looking Ahead to 2025

What will next year bring? Maybe Lavender & Tea Tree tallow soap will have its breakout moment, or perhaps we’ll see some new contenders in the top 5. Stay tuned for exciting product launches and more ways to elevate your self-care routine.

Thank You for an Amazing Year!

Whether you were lathering up with Orange Clove tallow soap or keeping it classic with our Pure tallow soap, your love and support made 2024 unforgettable. Here’s to another year of glowing skin, new favorites, and global adventures!

What was your top pick of the year? Let us know in the comments or tag us on social media with your 2024 tallow soap and balm wrapped.

How Tallow Can Strengthen Your Skin Barrier This Fall

As the air cools and the days get shorter, many of us notice changes in our skin. It becomes drier, tighter, and more prone to redness or irritation. The most common culprit is a compromised skin barrier. Tallow has been known to be one of the most effective, natural solutions for nurturing and maintaining a healthy skin barrier. In this blog, we’ll explore the skin barrier, why it matters, and how tallow can play a powerful role in restoring and protecting it.

Understanding the Skin Barrier

Your skin barrier, also known as the lipid or moisture barrier, is the outermost layer of your skin. It’s made up of a complex mixture of skin cells and lipids (fats) that work together to protect your body. Think of it as your skin’s bodyguard—its primary job is to keep the good stuff in (like moisture) and the bad stuff out (like environmental pollutants and irritants).

When your skin barrier functions properly, your skin looks healthy, hydrated, and smooth. When it’s compromised, you may notice dryness, irritation, redness, or even breakouts. This is particularly common during seasonal transitions, like in the fall, when lower humidity and colder temperatures take a toll on the skin.

Why is maintaining your skin barrier important?

Maintaining a healthy skin barrier is crucial because it serves as the foundation for overall skin health. Here’s why:

• Retaining hydration: A healthy skin barrier keeps moisture locked in, preventing dehydration. Dehydrated skin not only feels uncomfortable but can also exacerbate other skin conditions, such as eczema and rosacea.

• Protection against irritants: A strong barrier acts like a shield, protecting your skin from external irritants, allergens, and pollutants. When your barrier is weakened, these aggressors can easily attack your skin, leading to irritation and inflammation.

• Reduced sensitivity: A compromised skin barrier is more susceptible to sensitivity, redness, and irritation. By maintaining this barrier, you’re ensuring your skin is more resilient and less reactive.

How Tallow Supports the Skin Barrier

Tallow is made from rendered animal fat and has made waves for its incredible barrier-supporting properties. Here’s how tallow can help improve and maintain your skin barrier:

• Mimics Skin’s Natural Lipids: Tallow closely resembles the natural lipids in human skin. This means tallow can integrate seamlessly into your skin barrier, providing natural nourishment to your body.

• Rich in Fat-Soluble Vitamins: Tallow contains vitamins A, D, E, and K, which support skin regeneration, protect against oxidative stress, and promote renewal and elasticity for a healthy barrier.

• Deep Moisture Without Clogging: Unlike many synthetic moisturizers that sit on top of the skin, tallow provides deep, long-lasting hydration. It helps seal in moisture, but because it has a similar composition to human sebum, it’s unlikely to clog pores.

• Anti-Inflammatory Benefits: Tallow’s naturally occurring fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties, which help calm and soothe irritated skin. This makes tallow particularly beneficial for those with sensitive or inflamed skin.

So, how do you incorporate tallow into your routine?

During fall, when skin is prone to dehydration and barrier damage. Here are some simple ways to incorporate tallow balms and soaps into your routine:

Tallow soap: Cleansing with a tallow-based soap is the perfect way to start your skincare routine without stripping your skin. Unlike harsh soaps that can deplete your natural oils, tallow soap gently cleanses while replenishing your skin’s barrier, leaving it clean yet moisturized.

Tallow balm: After cleansing, apply a rich, nourishing layer of tallow balm to help seal in moisture and restore your skin barrier. Use tallow balm on areas like elbows, knees, and hands, which are particularly prone to dryness in colder weather. The balm helps strengthen your skin’s natural defenses, keeping your skin smooth, hydrated, and comfortable as temperatures drop.

Maintaining a healthy skin barrier is essential for glowing, resilient skin—and fall is the perfect time to double down on barrier support. By incorporating tallow soaps and balms into your routine, you’re choosing a natural, effective way to nourish and protect your skin, keeping it hydrated, smooth, and healthy. Whether you’re struggling with seasonal dryness and sensitivity or want to prevent damage before it starts, tallow can be your skin’s best ally in weathering the cold months ahead.

What are the top tips for choosing the right tallow soap for your skin type?

Tallow soap has been cherished for centuries for its cleansing, moisturizing, and nourishing properties. Made from rendered animal fat, tallow soap is an all-natural soap and balm option that is safe for all skin types—including babies and children. But with so many options available, how do you choose the right tallow soap for your specific skin needs? Here are some top tips to help you make the best choice.  

What is your skin type? 

Before selecting any skincare product, it's crucial to understand your skin type. The common categories are: 

Oily Skin: Characterized by excess sebum production, leading to a shiny appearance and potential breakouts. 

Dry Skin: Lacks sufficient moisture, often leading to flakiness and a tight feeling. 

Combination Skin: Features both oily and dry areas, typically with an oily T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) and drier cheeks. 

Sensitive Skin: Prone to irritation and redness, often reacting negatively to harsh chemicals or fragrances. 

Knowing your skin type is the first step in choosing a tallow soap, or any skincare, that will work harmoniously with your skin’s natural needs. 

Pure Tallow Soap is a Good Option for All Skin Types 

Pure tallow soap is a versatile choice can be beneficial for every skin type. Because it is made from natural ingredients and free from synthetic additives, it’s gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin, including that of babies and children. Tallow is rich in fatty acids like stearic and oleic acid, which help to nourish and protect the skin’s natural barrier. 

For parents looking for a safe soap for their little ones, pure tallow soap is an excellent option. Its simplicity and purity mean it’s less likely to cause irritation, making bath time a soothing experience for delicate skin. 

Consider Essential Oils for Targeted Benefits 

One of the advantages of tallow soap is that it can be infused with essential oils, each offering unique benefits that cater to specific skin types: 

Lavender: Known for its calming properties, lavender essential oil is perfect for sensitive or irritated skin. It has natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, making it a great choice for soothing redness and preventing breakouts. 

Tea Tree: If you have oily or acne-prone skin, look for tallow soap with tea tree oil. Tea tree oil has powerful antibacterial and antiseptic qualities, helping to control oil production and clear up blemishes. 

Rosemary: This essential oil is great for combination skin as it helps to balance oil production while also providing antiseptic properties to keep skin clear and healthy. 

Eucalyptus: Known for its refreshing and invigorating scent, eucalyptus oil is beneficial for oily skin due to its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. 

Cedarwood: This essential oil is excellent for oily or acne-prone skin, as it helps to regulate sebum production and has natural astringent properties. It can also be calming for irritated skin, making it a good choice for those prone to breakouts or redness. 

Pine Tar: This oil has been used for centuries for its ability to soothe and heal problematic skin. It’s particularly beneficial for those with eczema, psoriasis, or severely dry skin due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Tallow soap with pine tar can be a powerful option for individuals with these specific skin conditions. 

Check the Ingredient List 

When choosing a tallow soap, always check the ingredient list. High-quality tallow soap should have a short list of ingredients—ideally, just tallow, necessary oils, water, and essential oils. Avoid soaps with synthetic fragrances, colorants, or preservatives, as these can be harsh on the skin and may trigger irritation, especially for those with sensitive skin. 

Opt for Handmade or Artisanal Soaps 

Handmade or artisanal tallow soaps are often crafted in small batches with greater attention to ingredient quality. These soaps are less likely to contain harmful chemicals or additives and are more likely to use high-quality, natural essential oils. Supporting small businesses also means you’re likely to find unique blends tailored to specific skin concerns. 

Test Before Committing 

Finally, before committing to a particular tallow soap, consider testing it on a small patch of skin first. This is especially important if you have sensitive skin or are prone to allergies. Apply a small amount of soap to a patch of skin, wash it off, and observe how your skin reacts over 24 hours. 

Choosing the right tallow soap for your skin type doesn’t have to be complicated. By understanding your skin’s needs, opting for pure and natural ingredients, and selecting essential oils that cater to your specific concerns, you can find a tallow soap that not only cleanses but also nurtures your skin. Whether you’re caring for your own skin or the delicate skin of a child, pure tallow soap can be a safe and effective choice for everyone in the family. 

What are the benefits of exfoliation?

Exfoliation is the key to radiant skin. It removes built-up dead skin cells from the skin’s surface, promoting a smoother, more radiant complexion. Adding exfoliation to your skincare regularly can help prevent clogged pores, reduce the occurrence of breakouts, and improve the overall texture and tone of the skin. However, not all exfoliators are created equal, and choosing the right one can significantly affect your skincare results.

Why Exfoliate?

Exfoliation unclogs pores: Dead skin cells often accumulate on the skin’s surface, leading to clogged pores and breakouts. Exfoliation helps to clear these cells, reducing the chances of acne and blackheads.

It can help improve skin texture: Exfoliating helps remove rough patches of dead and dry skin, leaving your skin feeling smoother and softer.

Removing dead skin helps enhance product absorption: When we remove the layer of dead skin cells on the top of the skin, it allows skincare products like moisturizers and serums to penetrate more deeply, making them more effective.

Exfoliation stimulates circulation: The act of exfoliating creates friction and pressure that can boost blood flow to the skin, promoting a healthy glow and encouraging cell turnover.

The Role of Tallow Soap in Exfoliation

Tallow soap, made from rendered animal fat, has been used for centuries for its nourishing properties. Unlike many commercial soaps that can strip the skin of its natural oils, tallow soap is incredibly moisturizing and gentle. Its composition closely mimics human sebum, making it an excellent choice for maintaining our skin’s natural balance.

When combined with natural exfoliants like pumice or coffee grounds, tallow soap offers a perfect blend of cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing benefits.

Benefits of Tallow Soap with Pumice or Coffee

Both provide gentle exfoliation: Pumice is a volcanic rock ground into fine particles to provide a mildly abrasive effect. Coffee grounds, on the other hand, are slightly coarser but still gentle enough for regular use. Both ingredients help remove dead skin cells without causing irritation.

Tallow keeps your skin nourished and moisturized: The rich, creamy lather of tallow soap ensures that your skin stays hydrated and soft, even after exfoliation. Tallow is packed with essential fatty acids and vitamins A, D, E, and K, which nourish and protect the skin.

Helps improve skin tone and texture: Regular use of tallow soap with exfoliants can lead to a more even skin tone and smoother texture. The natural exfoliants help fade scars and hyperpigmentation over time, revealing a brighter complexion.

Tallow soaps are eco-friendly and natural: Unlike synthetic exfoliating beads, which can harm the environment, pumice and coffee are natural and biodegradable. They provide an eco-friendly way to keep your skin looking its best.

Incorporating tallow soap with natural exfoliants like pumice or coffee into your skincare routine can have numerous benefits. Not only does it help remove dead skin cells and improve skin texture, but it also keeps your skin nourished and hydrated. By choosing natural ingredients, you’re also making an environmentally conscious choice that benefits both your skin and the planet.

So, treat yourself to the luxury of exfoliation with tallow soap and enjoy soft, radiant, and healthy skin.

Embracing Gratitude: A Seasonal Reflection from The Healthy Porcupine

As the leaves change colors and the air carries a distinct crispness, we find ourselves immersed in a profound sense of gratitude. The holiday season is a chance for us to reflect on the journey we've traversed as a small business dedicated to crafting natural, eco-friendly soaps. It's a time for us to not only celebrate our accomplishments but also to express our heartfelt appreciation to our customers, supporters, and the environment that inspires us.

We both recall the early days when The Healthy Porcupine was just a budding idea, born out of a desire to create more sustainable, chemical-free soaps. Jen had skin concerns and wanted to create a natural solution to cleanse, soothe, and moisturize her skin without irritation. From there, we began building the Healthy Porcupine you know and love today.

However, the road to where we are was not without its challenges. Long hours, uncertainties, and the unpredictable nature of starting a small business tested our resolve. After over ten years of investing in our business, we are truly proud.

One of the things that we are both incredibly grateful for are the stories we receive from customers. The heartwarming testimonials and success stories shared by customers who have experienced the positive effects of our soaps are a constant source of inspiration. Whether it's someone finding relief from dry or irritated skin, embracing a more chemical-free lifestyle, or simply feeling invigorated by the natural scents, these stories reinforce our purpose.

We are also profoundly grateful for the opportunity to pursue our passion full-time. With your support, we have worked together to create soaps and balms that help our customers’ skin and our own. Nutrient-rich, moisturized skin is something everyone should experience, and we hope our soaps and balms can help our customers on that mission.

This season serves as a poignant reminder to pause, reflect, and express appreciation. It's about acknowledging the small moments that shape our journey—a smile from a satisfied customer, a positive review, or the simple joy of witnessing the impact of our eco-friendly initiatives.

We invite everyone to embrace the spirit of gratitude. Take a moment to appreciate the little things—the warmth of a hot shower, the natural scent of our soaps, the companionship of loved ones, and the beauty of the world around us.

As a small business, we extend our deepest gratitude to each and every individual who has supported us on this incredible voyage. Your belief in our mission and products fuels our passion and commitment to crafting exceptional natural soaps.

From all of us at The Healthy Porcupine, we wish you a season filled with gratitude, joy, and an abundance of natural goodness.

Warmest wishes,

Darlene and Jennifer

The Healthy Porcupine

Embracing the Sustainable Soap Choice: Why Tallow Soap is a More Sustainable Option

If you are new here, you may have yet to read why we are so passionate about tallow soap as a more natural, nutrient-rich, and sustainable soap. When we created The Healthy Porcupine, we aimed to provide a natural soap option that was great for sensitive skin and contributed to skin health. On our path to the brand we are today, we have analyzed and adjusted how we package our products, where we get our tallow, and the essential oils we use to ensure we create a natural, nutrient-dense soap that is safe and beneficial for most skin types.

When creating a soap or balm or even choosing one, there are numerous options available. In all our research, we found tallow soap to be a more sustainable alternative, especially in the face of environmental issues surrounding palm oil soap. In this blog, we will explore the sustainability of tallow soap and explain how it is a better choice for the environment.

Why is tallow a sustainable soap option?

1. Eco-friendly Sourcing: Tallow, a byproduct of the meat industry, is rendered animal fat usually derived from cows. Choosing tallow soap supports the idea of utilizing the entire animal and reducing waste. This promotes a circular economy, making it a more sustainable option compared to soap derived from single-use crops like palm oil.

2. Low Environmental Impact: The production of tallow soap typically has a smaller environmental footprint compared to many plant-based alternatives. The farming and processing of crops for oils, like palm oil, require large areas of land, leading to deforestation, habitat loss, and increased greenhouse gas emissions. On the other hand, tallow is a byproduct that would otherwise be discarded, making it a more responsible choice.

3. Biodegradable: Tallow soap is biodegradable, which means it breaks down naturally and won't contribute to long-term pollution. The same cannot always be said for certain synthetic ingredients found in other soaps. 

4. Beneficial for Sensitive Skin: Tallow soap often contains a simple, natural ingredient list that can be gentler on sensitive skin. It lacks the harsh chemicals that can cause irritation and adverse reactions.

Why is it important to make an informed choice about your soap?

Choosing tallow soap over palm oil soap can be a conscious step toward reducing our environmental impact. By opting for products made from sustainable and responsibly-sourced ingredients, we can contribute to a more eco-friendly future.

Of course, being sustainable goes beyond just the choice of soap. Consumers can further enhance their impact by supporting companies that prioritize sustainable practices and packaging, reduce water usage, and minimize waste. All of The Healthy Porcupine packaging is recyclable, and we have reduced our packaging over the years to minimize waste.

In the quest for a sustainable soap option, tallow soap emerges as an eco-friendly choice with minimal environmental impact, biodegradability, and support for a circular economy. The environmental issues surrounding palm oil production emphasize the urgency to reconsider our choices and prioritize sustainable alternatives. As conscious consumers, we hold the power to drive positive change by making informed decisions that protect our planet's precious resources and preserve its natural beauty for generations to come.

Make the right choice for your skin and the environment, and #optoutofthechemicallifestyle with The Healthy Porcupine.

Unlock the Key to Radiant Skin: Tallow Soap and its Vitamins, a Series

We’re back with the second edition of the vitamin series. Before we jump into the exciting stuff, i.e., the vitamins and their properties, we wanted to quickly refresh what tallow is and what vitamins it contains. 

What is tallow? 

Tallow is a substance derived from suet or fat that comes from a variety of animals; however, our tallow comes from grass-fed, pasture-raised cattle. Tallow is made by rendering suet, which involves melting and purifying the fat. Tallow has been used for various purposes throughout history, ranging from making candles and soap to lubricating machinery. Its high melting point and solid texture at room temperature make it versatile for different applications, including as a base for soaps and balms like ours. 

What vitamins does tallow contain? 

Tallow contains vitamins A, D, E, K, and B12, contributing to skin health and appearance. In our last edition of the vitamin series, we focused on vitamins A, D, and E. Today we are going to dive in deeper and discuss vitamins K and B12 in addition to a bonus benefit of tallow that you may not know. 

How is vitamin B12 good for your skin? 

Vitamin B12: The Skin Energizer

Vitamin B12, often called the “energy vitamin,” is vital in promoting healthy skin. It aids in the production of red blood cells, which carry oxygen to the skin cells, resulting in a vibrant and radiant complexion. Additionally, vitamin B12 supports the metabolism of skin cells, helping them regenerate and renew more efficiently. This rejuvenating effect can help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots, promoting a more youthful appearance. Vitamin B12 gives your skin a natural boost of energy and vitality, making it a valuable addition to your beauty routine.

How is vitamin K good for your skin? 

Vitamin K: The Skin Healer

Vitamin K is a powerful nutrient that offers remarkable benefits for the skin. Vitamin K plays a crucial role in the healing process, helping to reduce the appearance of scars, bruises, and discoloration. It aids in improving blood circulation, ensuring that essential nutrients and oxygen reach the skin cells, resulting in a healthier complexion. Moreover, vitamin K possesses antioxidant properties that protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals and harmful UV rays. Incorporating vitamin K into your skincare routine supports your skin’s natural defenses and maintains a smooth and radiant complexion.

While vitamin K and B12 may not always be top of mind when it comes to skincare, their impact on skin health should not be underestimated. Vitamin K’s ability to promote healing and protect against environmental damage, along with vitamin B12’s role in cell metabolism and moisture retention, make them a dynamic duo for maintaining radiant and healthy skin. Whether through dietary choices or skincare products, harnessing the benefits of these vitamins can provide you with a glowing complexion that radiates beauty from within.

Bonus Benefit: Tallow’s Skin-Friendly Molecular Structure

One of the remarkable benefits of tallow for the skin is its similar molecular structure to our own skin cells. This similarity allows for easy absorption and compatibility with our body’s natural processes. Tallow contains a high concentration of fatty acids, such as stearic acid, oleic acid, and palmitic acid, which are similar to the lipids found in our skin. This similarity allows tallow to penetrate deeply into the skin, nourishing and moisturizing it from within without clogging your pores.

Due to its affinity with our skin, tallow can help restore and maintain the skin’s natural barrier function. It forms a protective layer on the skin’s surface, preventing moisture loss and shielding it from external pollutants. This barrier not only helps to lock in hydration but also promotes a smoother and more supple complexion.

By harnessing the skin-friendly properties of tallow, you can experience improved skin hydration, increased elasticity, and a more youthful appearance. So, if you’re looking for a natural and easily absorbed ingredient to incorporate into your skincare routine, tallow may be the perfect choice.

What are the benefits of pine tar soap?

Our Pine Tar 20% Tallow Soap is one of our top-selling soaps, with four stars and over 900 reviews on Amazon. It is known for its deep campfire scent and wonderful benefits for your skin. In this blog post, we want to highlight some of the great benefits of pine tar soap and share what makes it so great!

First, where does pine tar oil come from? 

The traditional way to source pine tar is by burning a pine tree stump in a kiln. This results in “genuine peasant-made tar” that we can use for soaps and other skin care and topical products. When pine tar is created in a kiln, it maintains a dark golden color and contains a high resin content while maintaining a low pitch and high purity content. It is an extremely pure form of pine tar, and it is perfect to use for soaps, especially when mixed with our all-natural tallow.

The pine tar we use specifically comes from a Swedish company called Tjärfärg från Auson. They extract the pine tar from the pine tree stumps and sell it for a variety of uses. Pine Tar has been used for centuries for medicinal and topical use, but it is also used for livestock and home restoration. 

What are the benefits of pine tar oil in soaps?

Given the high quality of “genuine peasant-made tar,” it contains a vast array of benefits. Pine Tar is known to have the following qualities: 

Antifungal – helps provide relief from fungal infections

Anti-inflammatory – helps reduce inflammation

Antipruritic – soothes itchy and irritated skin

Antibacterial – helps prevent the growth or spread of bacteria

These qualities are what make pine tar so beneficial for your skin. Combined with all-natural tallow, the vitamins and nutrients work together to soothe a range of skin ailments.  

What conditions does pine tar soap help soothe?

With these benefits, it is no surprise that pine tar can help soothe many skin conditions. In fact, it is excellent for relief from long and short-term skin conditions. It can help soothe skin conditions such as dry skin, eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, hives, and other dry, flaky, or itchy skin conditions.

If you read the reviews of pine tar soap, you will see that the results are tried and true. While the deep campfire scent isn’t for everyone, it is worth a try for a soap that is known as an absolute powerhouse against a variety of skin conditions.  

What is Pine Tar, and why do we use it in our soaps?

If you’ve been following us for some time, then you know we have been making pine tar soap since 2013. It is one of the staples in our tallow balm and soap collection. We often talk about it on our social media and thought it was time for our Pine Tar 20% soap to get the respect it deserves with an entire blog on its creation, benefits, and properties. Pine Tar has been around for thousands of years and can be found across a wide range of skincare products such as soap, lotions, and gels. It is also used in other industries such as woodworking, maritime, veterinary, and medicine. 

How do we make our Pine Tar 20% Tallow Soap? 

In order to make pine tar tallow soap, we begin by purchasing genuine pine tar. We source our pine tar from a Swedish company called Tjärfärg från Auson. They provide high-quality pine tar that we use for our soaps and balms. Pine tar is the end product of pine wood carbonization following distillation using extreme heat. The pine tar we use in our soaps is made the old-fashioned way. The old-fashioned way to create pine tar is by burning a pine tree stump in a kiln, and the result is known as “genuine peasant-made tar.” Kiln-burned pine tar is usually a dark golden color and contains a high resin content while maintaining a low pitch and high purity content. It is an extremely pure form of pine tar that we mix with other all-natural ingredients to make our soothing soaps.

The process of making our Pine Tar 20% tallow soap isn’t different from any of our other soaps. Once the tallow is almost formed and ready to be set, we mix in the pine tar with our tallow mixture then it is ready to be placed into the mold that shapes the soaps. After we pour our mixture into the mold, we allow the soap to set for one day. Then we cut the soaps into individual bars and let them cure for four weeks. Curing time for the tallow is four weeks is standard practice. 

What are the benefits of pine tar oil in soaps?

Even though pine tar is not an essential oil, it still has a long and impressive list of benefits that should be recognized. The “genuine peasant-made tar” that we use in our soaps is high-quality pine tar that contains benefits such as antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antipruritic, and antibacterial properties. 

It is excellent for relief from long and short-term skin conditions alike. In fact, pine tar has been an extremely valuable resource in the skincare and medicine industry as it can help soothe skin conditions such as dry skin, eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, hives, and other dry, flaky, or itchy skin conditions. 

How do pine tar soaps smell and feel?

While we can’t speak for all pine tar products, our Pine Tar 20% tallow soap has a strong and bold scent that is often referred to as a woodsy, campfire scent. It may be intense for some, especially if you are unfamiliar with pine tar soaps, but most people really enjoy the smell. We have some customers who may not favor the scent but choose to use the soap for its incredible benefits. It is a very personal decision based on personal preferences, but we know it is in the rotation for us.  

Like all of our other soaps, minus the Coffee! and Pumice soaps which are exfoliators, this soap provides a silky-smooth lather. It is excellent for moisturizing your skin and locking in essential nutrients that help your skin stay moisturized and smooth all day. The pine tar mixed with the tallow is as soothing as a combination you can get. While the tallow is known for keeping your skin smooth, moisturized, and tight, pine tar is also known for similar uses, and both can help soothe common ailments that other soaps simply can’t. 

If you haven’t tried our Pine Tar 20% tallow soap, we recommend picking up a bar today. It is a soap that will have your body’s largest organ, your skin, feeling and looking its best.  

How to Make your Tallow Products Last Longer

What is tallow?

For those of you that have read our previous blogs on tallow or aren’t familiar with tallow in general, pasture-based tallow is made by rendering suet. Beef suet is the fat found around cow’s loins and kidneys. It is rendered by melting the suet over low heat, straining out any solid pieces. Once it is cooled,  it is considered rendered tallow.

Tallow is used for a variety of things, including cooking, beauty, skincare, and more. We specialize in tallow soaps and balms at The Healthy Porcupine because we find them to be a healthy and more sustainable option than traditional palm oil soaps and balms.

How long do tallow soaps last?

One of the benefits of tallow soaps is that a well-made bar can last a long time. We recommend using our soaps and balms within one year. The shelf life of tallow soaps depends primarily on their ingredients. For example, we make our soaps with olive oil which has a much longer shelf life than other oils like grapeseed or palm oil. Similarly, some essential oils (if you’re using a scented soap or balm) may have a one to two-year shelf life depending on the extract. Ultimately, you would want to go by the soap artisan's specific instructions for their product and recommend checking the shelf life of any essential oils used in the soaps or balms your purchase.

How can I make my tallow soap last longer?

How you store your soap plays a huge part in its shelf life. When considering what you can do to make your soaps and balms last longer, we recommend first looking at the conditions in which you store your products. Specifically, it is best to keep your soap in a dry, cool place that is not in direct sunlight. However, many people store their soap and skincare in their bathrooms; this is typically not suggested. Due to the high humidity that comes from your shower, storing soaps and balms that aren’t in use in the bathroom can reduce their overall shelf life. Another important note, unlike tallow used for cooking, soaps made from tallow need to be stored in a place with air circulation to reduce the chances of oxidation. Finally, it would be best to store your soaps and balms in a temperature-controlled area, like your bedroom or a closet, to avoid temperature changes affecting the soap.

Does your new packaging help extend shelf life?

Our new packaging is made out of 100% recyclable materials, and it is a box that will allow the soaps to “breathe” while protecting them. This new packaging will make it much easier for you to store your soaps. Instead of worrying about putting them in a box or a light cloth, you can simply put them on a shelf in a temperature-controlled area. This should keep your Healthy Porcupine soaps good for about one year.

Tips for Stocking Up and Storing Soaps

1. Store your soaps away from humidity and direct sunlight.

2. Store your soaps in an area with a regulated temperature.

3. Don’t store your soaps in an airtight container.

4. When stacking soaps on a shelf or in a cabinet, leave space between the soaps and other items to allow air circulation.

5. Make a note of when you received your soaps and mark the recommended use-by date.

6. Organize your soaps with essential oil to protect the scent and track shelf life.

7. You can always tell if the soap has gone bad, if it has a rancid smell, or is unusually sticky.

8. You can still use the soap if it has orange spots (you can cut them out), but we recommend double-checking to confirm there is no smell.

Overall, tallow soaps will last you quite some time, but it is important to take note of these tips and store your soap properly for maximum shelf life. Enjoy!

Happy holidays from the Healthy Porcupine

Change and flexibility have become constants in 2020 and 2021. We have learned to adapt and find joy in the everyday. While we usually share soap-related content with you each month, this month, we want to reflect on 2021 and share our plans for the holidays and beyond. 

This past year has had a little bit of everything for us. We experienced loss with the passing of our two oldest cats, Boo (17) and Anya (15), and some setbacks like when Jen slipped on ice and ended up in bed for a month with a back injury. Still, we also have had some incredible personal and professional growth. 

We adopted a new kitten, Wyatt, in May. This will be his first Christmas, so we hope everything will go well with the tree (so far…eh, it could be worse?). Here is a photo of Elliot and Wyatt. They have become fast friends since Wyatt arrived. We adopted both of them from the Upper Valley Humane Society in Enfield, NH (Elliot was adopted in 2013.)

This year, from the business side of things, we transitioned from vending at markets and other events to focusing entirely on our online and wholesale orders. While we miss seeing our customers in person and catching up with them, it gives us the necessary time to make soap and fulfill orders, allowing us to grow and serve more customers all over the country.

Thanksgiving was busy for us this year with our exciting Small Business Saturday sale and family visits. We want to take it a bit easier with a staycation for Christmas. We plan to catch up on a couple of our favorite Christmas movies like Christmas Vacation, Trading Places, and Scrooged and we’re also hoping to check out a few local breweries in New Hampshire. At home, we are currently loving our Lavender and Spearmint Tallow Soap. It has given us the bright, calming boost we needed this holiday season.

We will also be trying something new in the kitchen this Christmas. We’ll be making homemade pear and gorgonzola ravioli. We’ve made homemade pasta several times before, and it’s a lot of fun and delicious! You can check out the recipe here: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/255519/homemade-pear-and-gorgonzola-ravioli/

We are incredibly grateful and thankful for our customers and their support because we could not be doing this without all of you. We have some exciting things in store for the coming year, some of which are new soap varieties in the works. Stay tuned for our 2022 updates, and if you haven’t already, follow us on social for the latest news. 

We hope you all have a happy and healthy holiday season with the ones you love! 

How do you make tallow soap?

Soapmaking is our passion, and we want to share it with all of our customers. That is why we have decided to give you a look into our soapmaking process. As always, we want our customers to choose our products based on the facts. We want to ensure you know just what goes into our products, and we believe they are the best choice for your skin.

If you ever choose to make soap on your own, please be careful, wear protective gear, and look up full instructions with safety requirements.

Our soapmaking process begins with us rendering suet into tallow we can use for our products. This isn’t necessary because you can buy the tallow already rendered, but we do it ourselves because we want to support local businesses and utilize local resources.

How We Turn Suet into Tallow

Step 1 - We pick up our suet from Walden Local Meat.  We always choose grass-finished cattle that are pasture-raised.

Step 2 – We begin the rendering process. The suet is ground, rendered and filtered.

Step 3 – Let the freshly rendered tallow cool. Once cooled, it’s ready to be used for soapmaking.

Now we are ready to begin the soapmaking process.

How We Make Tallow Soap

Step 1 – First, we heat all of the oils. While they are heating, we start putting together our lye solution.

What is lye? Lye is a general term for two different alkaline compounds known as Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) and Potassium Hydroxide (KOH). They are highly water-soluble and are sometimes referred to as caustic soda.

Soap is the result of a reaction that occurs when you mix lye with liquid oils. Lye, which has a scientific name of sodium hydroxide, reacts when it is properly mixed; the process of mixing and causing this reaction is called saponification.

The process typically involves mixing lye with oils or butters, which contribute to soap's scents and other natural properties, such as vitamins and minerals. The oils and butters also react with the lye, resulting in a product that is safe for use on the skin. At the end of the soapmaking process, there's no lye left in the soap. It forms a bond with oil and becomes soap! All soap is made with lye at some point in the process.

Step 2 - Once the oils reach the proper temperature, the lye solution is poured into the oils.

Step 3 – Mix the oils and lye solution using a hand mixer. We do this very carefully to limit mess and ensure lye isn’t exposed to our skin.

Step 4 - After several minutes, you will notice a light trace. At this point, you would add any essential oils, color, or coffee grounds, pumice, etc. Continue to mix until you are at a heavy trace.

Trace is the point at which the soap has thickened and blended enough to have formed a stable emulsion.

Step 5 – Once you have a heavy trace, the soap batter is ready to be poured into the molds.

Step 6 – Let the soap sit in the molds overnight so it can saponify.

Step 7 – The next day, when the soap is set in the molds, we remove it from the molds and cut it. Then the soap is put onto curing racks where it says to cure for four weeks.

Done! Now the soap is all ready to be used.

Are tallow soaps and balms a sustainable option?

Sustainability is a crucial topic these days. With the effects of climate change ever-present, we want to make sure the products we use and create are made with sustainability in mind. When considering how to opt-out of the chemical lifestyle, we knew we wanted to make soaps that were good for our bodies and better for the environment. That is why we chose tallow for our soaps and stopped using palm oil products. Palm oil is the most common tallow soap alternative because it is cheap; however, it is typically not harvested sustainably or ethically. Unfair labor practices, animal cruelty, and rapid deforestation are common in the palm oil industry, making it far less sustainable long term.

On the other hand, tallow soap utilizes an animal by-product that would typically go to waste. Pasture-based tallow is made by rendering suet. Beef suet is the fat found around the loins and kidneys of cows. To render the tallow, the suet is chopped up, melted over low heat, the liquid fat is strained to separate solid pieces, and the liquid fat is allowed to cool, resulting in rendered tallow. The suet used to make tallow is typically considered waste in the farming industry. After the meat that most people eat is harvested, the suet is leftover with other non-traditional parts.

Rendering tallow from suet when making soaps and balms helps reduce waste by using something otherwise discarded. As for the type of suet we use, we use grass-fed, pasture-raised suet to make our tallow. We want to ensure our soaps are made using humanely sourced ingredients that are high quality. While tallow may seem like an odd choice for soap, the added vitamins and nutrients and the sustainable benefits actually make tallow a better choice for soap than palm oil.

Ultimately, Tallow soaps help alleviate waste from the farming industry by utilizing suet (beef fat) and turning it into a vitamin-rich skincare product. Using suet from grass-finished and pasture-raised cattle can ensure humane treatment of the cattle. In addition to these great ethical and sustainable qualities of tallow soap, we also make sure to use recyclable packaging to limit delivery waste.

We believe that tallow soap is the perfect choice for sustainable soap. It is compatible with our skin and filled with the vitamins and nutrients our skin craves. Try out one of our soaps and balms and see for yourself how beneficial tallow soap is for you and the environment.

Tips for Using Essential Oils Safely

As you can tell from our previous blog posts, we are big fans of all-natural essential oils. We use them in our soaps and balms, and we can use them for so much more.  As long as we are using them safely, the possibilities are endless. It can be tricky to understand just what to do with essential oils and how to do it safely. Just because a product is natural doesn’t mean we can always use it in its natural form or excess. That is why we wanted to share some information on how to use essential oils properly. We want to try and help spread information that can keep our customers safe.

Essential oils are made from various plants, barks, rinds, leaves, herbs, and flowers. The oil is extracted using different methods depending on the type of material, and each oil is different with unique benefits, scents, and potencies. All of the essential oils we use in our products are diluted with sunflower oil and tallow when we put them into the product. Diluting the oil in the product makes the essential oil softer and less likely to irritate the skin. Some essential oils are not made to be directly placed on the skin because their potency is too high, and they may cause irritation. When starting your essential oil journey, here are some important tips to keep in mind.  

Use essential oils for aromatherapy safely. Put the oil in a diffuser, humidifier, in soaps or lotions.

Never put essential oils in your eyes, nose, mouth, or sensitive areas. Unless they can be ingested, it can be extremely dangerous to ingest or absorb some of these oils. Lemongrass, peppermint, and cinnamon bark are examples of oils you shouldn’t consume.

Essential oils that are safe for you may not be safe for your pets.  Always check with your veterinarian before introducing a diffuser to your home and never use essential oils topically on your pets unless your veterinarian says it's okay. 

Always check the quality of the oils you are using. Especially if you are putting them on your skin, we use natural essential oils instead of fragrance oils. Fragrance oils can irritate the skin, and you don’t want to get a rash unnecessarily. You can avoid this by researching the company you are purchasing your oils from and checking quality standards.

Throw out older oils. After three years, oils may be spoiled due to oxygen exposure and can irritate your skin. 

Research all the oils you use. You shouldn’t ingest some skin-safe oils, and you shouldn’t put some ingestible oils on your skin. It is important to know the difference, so you don’t end up sick or with a rash.

Speak to a medical professional about the oils you use. If you’re ever worried about using or ingesting an oil, speak to your doctor and make sure it is safe for you. Each person is different, and you never know how your body will react to things specifically. Just because it works for a friend or family member doesn’t mean it will work for you.

Dilute your oils.  Undiluted oils are too potent to use right out of the bottle. Diluting them helps keep them at a level that is less likely to cause a reaction. You can dilute them with water, vegetable oils, creams, or bath gels, to make them softer for your body. A lower percentage of essential oil is less likely to cause a reaction.

Be mindful of the condition of your skin. Some essential oils may be safe to use on skin conditions, but some are not. Putting the wrong essential oils on damaged skin can worsen irritation.

Be careful with the amount of oil you use. Undiluted oil is powerful, and even diluted oil can cause a reaction if you put on too much at one time.

Most importantly, listen to your body and do your research. Doing the research is the best way to ensure that the oil is of good quality and correctly used. Once you have done your research, you can test it to make sure it works for your body. Essential oils are safe to use and contain vast health benefits; that is why we use them in our soaps. They are more than just scents; they are filled with antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, antiseptics, and other amazing qualities. We encourage you to embrace the world of essential oils but always do it carefully.

What does it mean to opt-out of the chemical lifestyle?

Over eight years ago, we decided it was time to opt-out of the chemical lifestyle. To us, opting out of the chemical lifestyle is a decision to use natural products with straightforward ingredients whenever possible. We use chemicals in our homes, our bodies, and at work. While we know some chemicals are necessary, and it would be difficult to cut them out 100%, limiting our exposure to unnecessary chemicals can benefit our health and the world around us. Specifically, we want to limit our exposure to synthetics—artificial chemical compounds that are usually cheap and easy to make. These synthetic chemicals are typically not environmentally conscious and can be bad for our health/skin. 

When it comes to soap and skin specifically, we began making soap because we realized how damaging these synthetic chemicals could be to our skin. They have little to no health benefits, and they can actually work against us. Opting out of the chemical lifestyle was a way for us to take control of our skin health by making and using products that give us added health benefits. That is why we only use pasture-based beef suet in our soaps and all-natural essential oils in our products. By using pasture-based beef suet, we can ensure our tallow is nutrient-rich without unnecessary chemicals and hormones.

Similarly, using all-natural essential oils help keep our products safe for most skin types with less risk of irritation than synthetic fragrance oils. Making our products healthy for our customers and us is our top priority, but sustainable production is equally important. We make sure we support sustainable farming practices that value and nourish the soil, and we use reusable packing whenever possible to help keep our oceans clean. When it comes to our soaps, opting out of the chemical lifestyle is more than a motto, it's a lifestyle. We want to make sure we embrace it while also making it easy for our customers to opt-out of this lifestyle along with us. 

Opting out of the chemical lifestyle may look different for everyone, but ultimately, it is choosing to use natural ingredients and products. It may not always be possible, but making that choice and working towards it is enough. When you start to consider opting out of the chemical lifestyle, there are several ways to do it and how you begin is also up to you. Here are some great suggestions to get you started: 

• Shopping at local businesses with locally sourced ingredients.

• Utilize reusable packaging through package-free wholesale stores or alternative uses.

• Research ingredients and learn what natural, sustainable products work best for you.

• Using companion gardening to deal with pests and diseases instead of pesticides. This hugely aides the bee community.

We want to emphasize that we are not perfect; no one is. But, we should always strive to be better a little bit at a time. Keep educating ourselves, and apply one thing at a time. We hope this blog makes opting out of the chemical lifestyle a little easier for you. 

Palm Oil Soap vs. Pasture-Based Tallow Soap

When choosing a soap, it can go far beyond simple smells, costs, and brands. The quality and source of the ingredients are equally important.

So, what is the main difference between pasture-based tallow and palm oil?

Palm oil and tallow are used as the base in the soap making process. The hard oils and fats in the palm oil and tallow allow the soap to stay firm when it gets wet. The most apparent difference between them is that one is a plant-based oil and one is a pasture-based fat, but the differences don’t stop there. The way palm oil and tallow are sourced is different, and their nutrients, cost, sustainability, and texture are different as well. We know it is practically impossible to know everything about the ingredients in every product we use, but when it comes to soaps we think it is possible to make an informed decision.

How are palm oil and pasture-based tallow sourced?

Pasture-based tallow is made by rendering suet. Beef suet is the fat found around the loins and kidneys of cows. To render the suet, it is chopped up, melted over low heat, the liquid fat is strained to separate solid pieces, and the liquid fat is then allowed to cool resulting in rendered tallow. While to some tallow may seem strange or gross, the added vitamins and nutrients along with the sustainable benefits, actually made tallow a better choice for soap than palm oil.

Palm oil comes from the fruit of oil palm trees, the scientific name is Elaeis guineensis. The majority of palm oil harvested today comes from South Asia; although, it was originally native to Africa. There are different types of palm oil, but the oil that is typically used in soap making comes from squeezing the fruit of the oil palm tree. It is squeezed to get all of the palm oil out and this crude oil is then used to make soaps and many other household products. Palm oil is very common in household products because it is cheap and easy to work with, however, the conditions of its sourcing often call for ethical concerns. The ethical concerns in palm oil production stems from unfair labor practices and massive deforestation that further risks endangered species.

While tallow comes from animals, it is not the primary reason the animal is harvested. In fact, suet is typically considered waste in the farming industry. After the meat that most people eat is harvested, the suet is leftover with other non-traditional parts. Rendering tallow from suet to make soaps and balms is a sustainable way to use something that would be otherwise discarded. As for our soaps and balms, we also ensure the use of grass-fed cattle for any of our suet. We want to ensure our soaps are made using humanely sourced ingredients that are high quality.

What are the benefits of tallow vs. palm oil?

In addition to palm oil creating a long-lasting soap, its benefits also include high vitamin E and vitamin A content and refatting agents that allow your body to restore its natural oils. While these are amazing benefits, the benefits of beef tallow are even better. Tallow contains vitamins A, D, E, K, and B12, which contribute to skin health and appearance. Given that the fat saturation of tallow is close to human fat, the vitamins within it can be absorbed into the body easier and it locks in moisture and nutrients without clogging your pores.

Why choose beef tallow over palm oil?

We made the choice ourselves when we began making soaps, with skin conditions and health concerns we were looking for natural remedies that help our bodies and don’t break the bank. Tallow is known for its nutrient-rich properties that naturally heal and nourish our skin, so for us, it seemed like the perfect base. We make sure our tallow is ethically sourced and ensure it comes from a high-quality source. By doing so we can create soaps that are good for us and don’t come with the moral dilemmas of palm oil. Why not use a soap that is good for your health, your skin, the orangutans, and the elephants too!

Source: wwf.org

Happy Holidays from The Healthy Porcupine to you

This year has been quite the experience to say the least. We hope you have all managed to stay safe and healthy throughout. We are grateful to have managed to stay safe ourselves. 2020 brought a number of changes to our personal and professional lives. On a personal level, we have had to change how we interact with friends, family, and hobbies. As avid Dungeons & Dragons players, we used to meet our friends three out of four weekends a month to play. For safety measures, we have had to shift this to a fully online game once a month, which as you most likely know isn’t the same. Not to mention our switch to at-home workouts or rather the lack thereof LOL. We have worked to maintain some degree of normalcy, but who really can these days (and that is 100% okay!) Professionally, we had to adjust to having all of our major events canceled, having to completely alter how we set up and did business at the New Boston Farmers Market, and transition to having to rely completely on online sales and wholesale. While we have experienced abundant changes, we know that many small businesses have had a terrible time this year and that many have not made it. That is why we wanted to share our story with you all and say how extremely thankful we are for our customers who have allowed us to continue selling our all-natural tallow soap.

 With that being said, our holiday plans will be very simple this year. We will be hanging out at home with our cats, playing our favorite games, and Darlene will be making duck for dinner. We are getting our duck from Greentwist Acres, a local farm located in New Boston, New Hampshire. Our honey is also locally sourced from DJ’s Pure Natural Honey located in Manchester, NH. We want to continue to support local businesses while we stay home and enjoy the holidays. Of course, we will be washing up with our Rosemary Mint Tallow Soap, so we can be clean and fresh for dinner. If you want to check out Darlene’s duck recipe you can find it here. Feel free to share your holiday plans with us in the comments or send us your favorite holiday recipes (we are still looking for side dish recipes.) We know the holidays aren’t the same this year, but they can still be good if you can find a way to connect with your family, virtually or otherwise, or just do something that makes you happy. If you’re still looking for holiday soaps for your home or last minute holiday gifts, check out our store and order now! If you need a last minute gift we have virtual gift cards that you share with family in person or online! Get into the holiday season with the smell of some of our all-natural tallow soaps.

 P.S. Santa said our Pine Tar 20% Soap reminds him of the soap back in his workshop. 😉

Why support your local soap business?

The process of making soap is unique to each brand. With ingredients being sourced from a variety of places and techniques utilizing each ingredient differently, knowing exactly how the soap is made can make all the difference. This is where small businesses, like The Healthy Porcupine, come in to provide consumers with trusted products that are free of chemicals, dyes, and unnecessary additives.

Creating a conscious product is not the easiest task for a brand, big or small. It requires time, knowledge, and money. Taking the time to research the best ingredients available and figuring out how to use them in your soap. Obtaining the knowledge to put your research to the test and make quality soap from quality ingredients. Spending the money necessary to make sure your soap is natural, healthy, and beneficial while also being accessible to your consumer. With that being said, the choice to formulate a conscious soap is just as good of a decision for the brand as it is for the consumer. Brands feel confident in the positive effects of their products (like our all-natural tallow soap), and in turn create happy, loyal customers!

At The Healthy Porcupine, we use locally sourced ingredients and a transparent production process that creates value for our brand and trust between us and our customers. As a small business, we can select the finest ingredients that will help our customers’ skin while also giving them the tools they need to choose a soap that is right for them. Big soap brands can provide the education and the high-quality ingredients, but the quality is often lost in production through the use of harsh chemicals and additives or mass production techniques.

With a small all-natural soap brand you have the transparency and authenticity that you don’t get from large corporations. Our all-natural conscious soap products come with a face you know, recognize, and trust. As a small business, we lookout for our consumers with our honest recommendations and demonstrated value for high-quality products. We hope you all keep supporting small businesses just like we do!