Journal

Tallow Balm on a folded white shirt in hard sun
Why tallow balm feels greasy, and how to fix it
Tallow balm has a shine problem. Here's why, what changes the finish, and how to use any balm so it doesn't sit on top of your skin. Read more...
Tallow Balm next to a glass of water and a white lotion bottle on pale stone
Tallow balm vs. lotion: what's actually different
Lotion is mostly water. Balm has none. Here's what that changes about texture, preservatives, and how much you need, in plain language. Read more...
Blue Tansy Dry Oil on pale stone beside a sprig of blue tansy flowers
What is blue tansy oil, and why is it blue?
Blue tansy gets its color from chamazulene, which forms when the flowers are distilled. Here's where it comes from, why it fades, and how to use it. Read more...
Tallow Balm in an amber glass jar with a black lid
How to read an ingredient list in ten seconds
Ingredients are listed from most to least, in a shared international naming system. Four things to check on any label, and what "fragrance" can hide. Read more...
Tallow Balm and Blue Tansy Dry Oil on a ledge, with a saguaro shadow on the wall
Dry skin in the desert: a simple routine for Phoenix weather
Single-digit humidity, 115°F summers, and cold, dry winters. A short, practical routine for keeping skin comfortable in Arizona weather. Read more...
Blue Tansy Dry Oil beside a glass of water on pale stone
Face oil for oily skin: why it isn't a contradiction
Not all oils feel oily. Here's what a "dry oil" is, why some oils vanish in a minute while others sit on top, and how to use one on oily... Read more...