The Research Behind Salty Cow
A science-backed, real‑world approach to ancestral skincare — built for sun, salt, wind and daily exposure.
Modern skin lives outdoors, but most skincare isn’t built for real-world conditions.
Many products focus on surface feel rather than supporting skin biology, leaving skin dry yet oily, red after sun exposure or prone to tightness and irritation with long term side effects. Synthetic emollients, chemical UV filters and long ingredient lists may feel good at first but can overwhelm and weaken the skin barrier over time — the very thing meant to protect you.
At Salty Cow, we look at skin as a living organ shaped by environment, movement, and exposure. Our research starts with a simple question: how do we support skin that’s meant to be outside?
The Problem
Your skin isn’t dry by nature.
It’s protected by a lipid barrier — a blend of fats that seal in moisture, protect against wind, salt and UV. Also helping skin stay calm and resilient
When this barrier is disrupted, water loss increases and irritation becomes more likely. Research shows that damaged barriers can experience 30–50% higher transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
The solution isn’t more products.
It’s better fats.
The Root Cause
The Data That Matters
Compared to conventional skincare, we made sure to deliver longer-lasting hydration, stronger barrier support and greater oxidative stability all from natural ingredients with Grass-fed Beef Tallow as our key ingredient.
We believe healthy skin is built on nourishment, not shortcuts.
Why Salty Cow works differently
Conventional skincare often focuses on fast absorption and short-term softness. Salty Cow is built around skin biology. Research on hydration and barrier function shows that lasting moisture depends on lipid structure, barrier integrity, and protection against oxidative stress—not surface feel alone.
By working with the skin’s natural lipids and antioxidant defenses, Salty Cow supports stronger barrier function, longer-lasting hydration, and real resilience—especially for skin that lives outdoors.:
The Solution: Skin-Recognizable Ingredients.
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The foundation of our moisturizer and balm.
Supports:
Barrier repair
Long-lasting hydration
Skin resilience under sun and salt
Grass-fed sources provide a more stable fatty-acid profile and naturally higher antioxidant content.
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Structurally similar to human sebum.
Helps:
Balance oil production
Improve absorption
Keep the formula lightweight
Studies suggest jojoba can reduce excess oil production by ~15–20% over time.
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Traditionally used to calm irritated skin.
Supports:
Reduced redness
Skin recovery after sun exposure
Topical use is associated with 20–30% reductions in inflammation markers.
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A physical UV filter that sits on the skin and reflects sunlight.
Provides:
Broad-spectrum UVA & UVB protection
Stability under heat and UV
No absorption into the skin
Properly formulated zinc oxide reflects ~95–98% of UVB and ~90% of UVA
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Rich in linoleic acid and natural vitamin A precursors.
Helps:
Support skin renewal
Improve texture and tone
Visible improvements are often observed within 6–8 weeks of consistent use.
We don’t add ingredients unless they serve a clear purpose. Here at Salty Cow, we built around ingredients your skin already understands.
Our process starts in real life.
Every Salty Cow item begins where our community lives — under the sun, in salty air, through sweat, wind and long days outdoors. We study real exposure to the elements based from our past experience and we hope to share this with you too.
01
Render 100% grass-fed and finished tallow with care
We carefully render grass-fed tallow to preserve its natural fatty acid profile — the same lipids skin recognizes and knows how to use. This is the foundation of every Salty Cow formula.
02
Add natural ingredients with intention
Each botanical and mineral is chosen for a reason. We formulate slowly and deliberately, using only ingredients that support the skin barrier, hydration and long-term resilience.
03
Tested outdoors
Our formulas are tested where they’re meant to be worn — in heat, humidity, sun and movement. If it doesn’t perform outdoors, it doesn’t belong on your skin