Slugging with petroleum jelly is so 2022. Welcome to 2023, where we come clean and slug with more sustainable ingredients. Like tallow. 

First marketed by Vaseline, historically, petrolatum was believed to have medicinal benefits. Ancient Persians, 10th century Sumatrans and European monarchies of the Middle Ages used petrolatum for the ailment of joint pain, preservation of natural materials, and the protection of skin. The Native American Seneca tribe later used petroleum jelly in the 19th century to protect wounds, stimulate healing and keep skin moisturised. 

What is slugging anyway?

Slugging is a longstanding practice of applying an occlusive moisturiser as the last step in a skincare routine to help nourish, heal and protect the skin. By forming a seal, the occlusive keeps the nasties out (dirt and bacteria) and the good stuff in (all that moisture). 

Traditionally, petrolatum-based moisturisers have been the slugging products of choice for their occlusive properties. But there’s another way to get the gloss, without going near oil and gas.

At TUTTOFARE, we recognise that we can respect tradition, while changing the way we do things going forward. Where it’s fair. Where it’s in the greater good. This is future traditional beauty, after all. 

So, we’ve developed a way to preserve the integrity of a slugging routine, without compromising on ingredient quality or sustainability.

How to slug with tallow skincare

Whether you’re low maintenance or prefer to use many different products as part of your skincare routine, there are a few ways to slug with a tallow balm. It’s always nice to have options. As a suggestion, for the sluggers just starting out, you may prefer sticking to the bolded steps only.

1. Cleanse your skin. Begin by thoroughly cleansing your face to remove any dirt, bacteria, excess oil and makeup. This is an important first step so you don’t trap any nasties in your skin. 
2. Apply toner. After cleansing, apply toner to help balance your skin's pH and prepare it for the next steps in your skincare routine.
3. Use serums. If you use serums or essences as part of your routine, this is when to apply them for maximum results. 
4. Apply a thin layer of tallow balm. Take a small amount of TUTTOFARE Holy Grail Tallow Balm and apply to your face in a thin, even layer. For best results, we recommend using clean fingers or a clean makeup brush to apply the product. 
5. Massage into your skin. Gently massage the balm into your skin using upward, circular motions. This will help with absorption and stimulate circulation.
6. Leave overnight. Allow the balm to work its magic overnight and lock in your best skin. You can either leave it on as is, or cover with a thin cotton sheet to help prevent transfer to your pillow.
7. Rinse off in the morning. In the morning, rinse your face with lukewarm water to remove any excess product. Follow up with your usual morning skincare routine, including more tallow balm if desired.

What’s the difference between Vaseline and tallow balm?

Vaseline contains 100 per cent petroleum jelly, a byproduct of the fossil fuel industry. Tallow balm is made from suet, typically from pasture-raised cows. 

Beyond slugging, tallow can be used to help treat various skin conditions including sunburn, redness and irritation, dry and itchy skin. This may be due to tallow’s unique ability to mimic the skin’s molecular structure, as well as its high concentration of fatty acids and vitamins that are uniquely balanced. For this reason, some people may find tallow more effective than Vaseline when used on its own or as part of a slugging routine.

Tallow may also be considered a more sustainable option than Vaseline due to its natural ingredients. Sustainably sourced tallow from farms practicing regenerative methods may also assist with reversing climate change through the process of carbon sequestration.

It’s worth noting that each synthetic ingredient comes attached with a significant environmental impact, from emissions through to hazardous waste disposal of creating cosmetic chemicals. 

Tallow is a natural alternative to fossil-fuel derived ingredients commonly found in skincare products including mineral oil, petroleum jelly, paraffin wax, polyethylene glycol, and isopropyl alcohol. 

In terms of allergies, serious allergic reactions to both Vaseline and tallow are considered very rare. In Vaseline, some people may be allergic to mineral oil, which can cause skin irritation. 

As Romans do with TUTTOFARE

Built on our ancestral traditions, TUTTOFARE is reimagining traditional skincare for the future with regenerative and sustainable ingredients. It’s a natural next step in beauty.

Tallow was commonly used as a moisturiser in Ancient Rome to heal and soften the skin. Ancient Romans used a variety of natural ingredients for moisturisers and creams, including olive oil, known for its nourishing properties and also found in our Holy Grail Tallow Balm.  

Our philosophy at TUTTOFARE is gently does it. On the skin, when slugging, with our tallow balm – that’s also gentler on the environment.