Kunekune Pork Tallow: A Heritage Ingredient with Modern Skincare Benefits
Why We Use Pork Tallow in Skincare (And Why Your Skin Will Love It)
At Meadowlark Made, our skincare story begins far from a lab—it starts out in the pasture. We didn’t set out to make skincare products. Instead, we wanted to honor the whole animal by using the most nourishing part: the fat. What began as a small batch of balm for our family has grown into something we are proud to share with you.
Our Kunekune pigs are a heritage breed raised on pasture, known for their gentle nature and richly marbled fat. While most systems discard this fat, we saw an opportunity to transform it into a deeply restorative ingredient for skin care. This is a tradition as old as the prairie farmsteads themselves.
It’s a perfect blend of old-world wisdom and modern skincare science, and your skin will notice the difference.
Pork Tallow? Yes, and We Say It Proudly
At Meadowlark Farm, our Kunekune pigs graze freely (the only grass-grazing pig breed) beneath the Iowa skies, producing beautifully marbled fat. We carefully render this fat and infuse it with herbs, creating a nutrient-dense and sustainable moisturizer that feels both timeless and skin-loving.
If you’ve been following natural skincare trends, you might have noticed some debate around the word “tallow.” Some say it only refers to beef fat, while others believe it includes fats from other animals.
Here’s the truth: tallow simply means rendered animal fat. Historically, it has referred to beef, mutton, and yes, pork. When pork fat is rendered for cooking, it’s often called lard, but in skincare, calling it pork tallow is completely accurate. It tells you exactly what you’re getting—nutrient-rich fat from our pasture-raised pigs, slowly rendered to retain all its skin-loving benefits.
Why Kunekune Pork Fat Feels Different on Your Skin
Both beef and pork tallow nourish skin, but pork tallow from Kunekune pigs has a unique fatty acid profile that you can really feel:
Higher Oleic Acid
Kunekune pork fat is rich in oleic acid, the same fatty acid that makes olive oil so conditioning. It helps skin lock in moisture and supports a soft, healthy texture.Barrier-Building Palmitic Acid
This fatty acid strengthens the skin’s protective barrier, reducing moisture loss.Light and Quick Absorbing
Compared to beef tallow, pork tallow melts into the skin faster, making it ideal for facial balms, daily moisturizers, and sensitive skin.
Homestead Salve & Tattoo Balm by Meadowlark Made
Packed with Natural Vitamins
Our pasture-raised pork fat naturally contains fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, each offering unique skin benefits:
Vitamin A encourages gentle cell turnover for smoother skin.
Vitamin D supports the skin barrier and acts as an antioxidant. Because our pigs spend their days outside in the sun, their fat contains significantly higher vitamin D than conventional pork.
Vitamin E protects skin from environmental stressors.
Vitamin K helps with skin elasticity and healing.
On Midwest farms, pork fat wasn’t just for cooking—it was used for homemade salves, soaps, and ointments for generations. We’re simply continuing a tradition that works.
Sustainability in Every Jar
When we render our own Kunekune pork tallow, nothing goes to waste. The same pigs that provide wholesome, pasture-raised pork for local families also supply the nutrient-rich fat that becomes our skincare products. Using the whole animal honors our animals, reduces waste, and keeps every step (from pasture to packaging!) right here on our farm.
Why We Choose Pork Tallow Over Beef Tallow
While we respect beef tallow for its own qualities, pork tallow offers a lighter texture, higher oleic acid, and exceptional vitamin D when pasture-raised. It is the perfect fit for our facial balms, body butters, and seasonal salves. Pork tallow gives a silky, quick-absorbing finish that nourishes deeply without feeling heavy.
Key benefits include:
More moisture and softness thanks to higher oleic acid
A lighter texture perfect for everyday use and facial products
A mild scent that lets herbs shine through without overpowering
From Pasture to Your Skin
Every jar of Meadowlark Made balm or butter tells a story. It’s the story of heritage breed pigs grazing under Iowa skies, nutrient-dense fat transformed through slow rendering and herbal infusion, and old ways made new for skin cared for naturally and sustainably.
Mini FAQ: What Our Customers Ask Most
Does it smell like bacon?
Nope. Our tallow is rendered slowly and cleanly. It has a neutral, slightly creamy scent that picks up the herbs or essential oils we add.Is pork tallow good for sensitive skin?
Yes. It’s gentle and bio-compatible, working with your skin instead of against it. Many with eczema, dryness, or irritation find fast relief.Is it greasy?
Not at all. Start with a small amount; pork tallow absorbs quickly and leaves skin feeling silky, not slick.Do you make it all yourselves?
Absolutely. From raising the pigs to rendering the fat and infusing herbs, every step happens on our family farm in Iowa. No outsourcing, no shortcuts.
Old Ways. New Skin. Spirit Led.
Calling it pork tallow isn’t just accurate, it’s intentional. You deserve to know exactly what’s in your skincare and where it comes from. Our pasture-raised pigs are raised with care, fat rendered slowly in small batches, and infused with prairie-grown or foraged herbs. For anyone dealing with dryness, irritation, or barrier damage, pork tallow is a gentle but powerful ally.
It’s old-world wisdom meeting modern skincare. One of the most sustainable, nutrient-rich moisturizers you’ll ever find.
Further Reading
If you’re fascinated in old-world skincare as we are, here are some resources worth exploring further.