DISCOVER THE POWER OF TALLOW
Experience the timeless nourishment of pure, traditionally rendered tallow.
At Mountain River Roots, our tallow is locally sourced and carefully rendered to preserve its natural vitamins and skin-loving fats. This ancestral ingredient closely mirrors the skin’s own oils, allowing for deep absorption, lasting hydration, and true skin barrier support.
Rich in vitamins A, D, E, and K, our formulas deliver simple, effective care without fillers, synthetics, or unnecessary additives—just clean, intentional skincare rooted in nature and tradition.
At Mountain River Roots, we believe what you put on your skin should come straight from the earth. Our outdoor line is handcrafted in small batches with a deeply nourishing, minimalist base of Montana Ranch Raised tallow, pure beeswax, and organic jojoba oil—simple, purposeful ingredients made for life outdoors.
Whether you're protecting your skin from the sun, keeping pests at bay, or giving tired muscles and joints some post-adventure care, our Backcountry line is made to go wherever you do.
🌿 NEW! Backcountry Recovery Balm — Adult Strength 🌿
When the adventure is over, give your hardworking body a little extra care.
Our Adult Strength Backcountry Recovery Balm combines nourishing tallow with menthol and arnica to provide a refreshing, cooling sensation while helping soothe tired, sore, and overworked muscles and joints. Arnica has traditionally been used to support comfort after everyday bumps, bruises, and physical activity.
Perfect for:
Post-workout and physical activity
Tired, overworked muscles and joints
Long days of hiking, hunting, fishing, or working outdoors
Massage and post-adventure care
Keeping in your backcountry pack, gym bag, or bedside table
☀️ Mineral Sun Protection — 20% Zinc Oxide
Defend your skin from UV rays with a physical barrier of non-nano zinc oxide in a convenient, mess-free stick.
20% Zinc Oxide: Great for everyday wear and outdoor activities. Compare to SPF 30.
🪵 Tick Stick — Outdoor Bug Defense
A convenient, swipe-and-go stick designed for outdoor adventures when you want an extra layer of botanical bug defense.
Adult Strength: A robust blend of plant-based ingredients selected for serious time in the deep woods.
Family Strength: A gentler formula designed with younger adventurers in mind. For ages 8 and under; for children under 5, we recommend testing a small amount on the feet first.
🌿 The Power of Our Base
Tallow: Naturally rich in vitamins A, D, E, and K and helps support your skin's natural moisture barrier.
Beeswax: Creates a breathable, naturally water-resistant barrier to help protect skin from the elements.
Jojoba Oil: Provides a smooth, nourishing glide while helping maintain balanced skin hydration.
🌲 Buy 2 — Save $5
Mix and match any two of our Backcountry sticks and save $5.
🌿 NEW Recovery Balm
☀️ Sun Protection
🪵 Tick Defense
Handcrafted in small batches. Rooted in nature. Made for the wild..
NEW
Our Nourishing Tallow Lip Balm is made with only 3 simple, clean ingredients your lips will love—pure ranch-raised Montana beef tallow, organic jojoba oil, and organic beeswax. This rich, deeply moisturizing balm helps soothe dry, cracked lips while creating lasting softness and protection without unnecessary fillers or harsh ingredients.
Crafted for everyday use and inspired by simple western living, it delivers natural hydration you can trust.
“Keeps your lips softer than your best campfire story—because chapped lips ruin a good one.”
Buy 3 for $12
☀️ Summer Bonus Tip: Because our lip balm is 100% natural and free of synthetic hardeners, it's sensitive to extreme heat. To avoid a messy meltdown, try not to leave it in your pocket on a hot day or sitting in a roasting car. High heat won't ruin the quality of the balm, but it can liquify it!
Our Tallow Skin Balm is a deeply nourishing, all-in-one moisturizer formulated to be safe and gentle for both face and body. Lightly whipped for a smooth, luxurious texture, it melts effortlessly into the skin, leaving it soft, hydrated, and protected without feeling heavy.
We offer five unique blends, thoughtfully crafted to suit a variety of skin needs and preferences—making it easy to find the perfect match for you or your family.
For full ingredient details and blend-specific benefits, please see the product descriptions below.
Buy 3 get $15 off!
All orders over $100 gets free shipping!
Every skin type has different needs. If you're undecided, or want to share the love with a friend, our 4-Blend Sample Pack is the perfect way to try before you commit to a full size.
Bonus: They double as the perfect travel sizes! Just a quick heads-up for summer: because our tallow is 100% natural, high heat (like a hot car) will liquify it. It won’t hurt the tallow at all, but we don't want you to have a mess when you open it!
THE BACKCOUNTRY BUNDLE
Everything your skin needs for wherever the trail leads.
Four handcrafted Montana essentials made for hunting, hiking, camping, fishing, and everyday outdoor adventures. Handcrafted in Roundup, Montana with locally rendered tallow and naturally derived ingredients.
Includes:
🌞 Sun Stick — Mineral Protection
🌲 Tick Stick — Plant-Powered Outdoor Guard
🧴 Backwoods Balm — Sandalwood Whipped Tallow
💋 Nourishing Lip Balm — Moisture Shield
$60 — SAVE $7
Want to customize your bundle? Swap the Backwoods Balm for another whipped tallow blend or choose our NEW RECOVERY stick instead. Just message us on Facebook Messenger or text/call before or immediately after ordering, and we’ll customize it before it ships.
Pack it for your next adventure, gift it to the outdoor enthusiast in your life, or keep it close for the trail ahead.
Built for the outdoors. Handcrafted in Montana. Made for hardworking skin.
Our Handcrafted tallow Blends
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Backwoods Balm - Sandalwood
Built for Life Outdoors
Inspired by the artisan and her husband’s life outdoors, this blend was made for days spent in the wind, sun, and cold.
Simple. Strong. Effective.
Made with pure ranch-raised beef tallow, it deeply nourishes and protects dry, weathered skin. Real sandalwood helps calm irritation, tighten the look of pores, support clearer skin, and promote a more even tone—finished with a subtle, natural woodsy scent.
Originally blended for men, but made for hardworking skin of any kind—women love it too.
Use on face or body to:
- Hydrate and nourish as a daily face balm
- Soothe and repair skin after shaving
- Condition and soften beard hair
- Protect and lock in moisture during cold weather
- Promote a more even, balanced skin tone
No fillers. No synthetic fragrance.
Just time-tested ingredients that work. -
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Vanilla w/ Castor Oil
Inspired by the Artisan
Born from a personal journey toward calmer, healthier skin, this blend is thoughtfully crafted to comfort, restore, and rebalance sensitive, overworked skin.
A deeply nourishing tallow balm, gently infused with warm vanilla and enriched with castor oil to deliver lasting hydration, support acne-prone skin with natural antibacterial (ricinoleic acid) properties, and improve texture by softening rough, dry areas.
Use on face or body to:
- Deeply hydrate & restore
- Protect skin from environmental stressors
- Support acne-prone or sensitive skin
- Smooth & soften
Simple ingredients. Honest care. Gentle support for skin that faces the elements every day.
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Unscented
Inspired by Ancestral Wisdom
Rooted in tradition and made for purity, this blend is crafted for sensitive, reactive skin.
A simple, unscented tallow balm with no added fragrance or essential oils — just pure nourishment your skin understands.
Use on face or body to:
- Calm sensitivity
- Restore the skin barrier
- Deeply moisturize
- Protect without irritation
Nothing added. Nothing unnecessary. Just time-honored care for delicate skin.
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Immortelle & Chamomile
Inspired by Maturing Skin
Created for skin affected by years of harsh products and environmental stress, this blend focuses on restoring what was lost.
A rich tallow balm infused with immortelle and chamomile to help calm inflammation, support skin repair, and promote a smoother, more youthful appearance.
Use on face or body to:
- Soften fine lines
- Support skin repair and regeneration
- Restore moisture
- Protect and strengthen the skin barrier
Deep nourishment. Powerful restoration. Timeless care.
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Lavender
Inspired by Calm
A timeless, calming blend crafted for everyday care.
This nourishing tallow balm is infused with lavender to help soothe the skin, restore balance, and support a healthy, radiant complexion.
Use on face or body to:
- Soothe dryness
- Calm redness and irritation
- Restore deep, lasting moisture
- Support skin healing and repair
- Help balance oil production
- Promote a sense of calm
Simple. Gentle. Made for daily comfort and care.
Love By Our Customers
Experience
skin that feels soft, resilient, and naturally glowing
about the Artisan
Chose tallow for its skin-identical nutrients, deep nourishment, and gentle, natural care for all skin types.
Passionate about sustainable, honest, and intentional practices in every product I create.
Over six years of experience in cosmetology and clinical-grade skincare, combining science with wellness.
Previously owned a wellness spa, salon, and café, blending holistic care with community and creativity.
Love hands-on, mindful living—gardening, canning, and making sourdough are my daily joys.
Your Questions, Answered
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Warm a small amount between your fingertips and apply to clean skin as needed. All our blends are safe for face and body.
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Yes! Start slow and see how your skin responds. If you’re new to tallow, use it once or twice a week at night at first.
Gently pat a small amount onto your skin—don’t rub. A little goes a long way.
Since tallow is very similar to your skin’s natural oils, your skin will adjust over time and you’ll likely be able to use it daily.
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You can use tallow daily on both your face and body as part of your regular skincare routine. It also works beautifully as a weekly overnight moisture mask for deeper nourishment and repair.
If you’re new to using tallow on your face, allow your skin a little time to adjust—start with a small amount and gradually increase as needed.
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Yes! Tallow is safe for all skin types, including oily and acne-prone skin. It can actually help balance oil production over time—just give your skin time to adjust.
Start slow. After cleansing, use an alcohol-free witch hazel or rose water toner. While your skin is still slightly damp, warm a small amount of tallow between your fingers and gently pat it onto your face (do not rub in).
We suggest starting with the Unscented or Lavender blend. And remember, other factors like diet, stress, and hormones can also affect your skin.
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Our tallow helps balance your skin and strengthen your natural skin barrier, keeping moisture in and dryness out. Some of our blends are crafted for specific concerns, while most will deeply nourish, soften the look of fine lines, and leave your skin feeling smoother, healthier, and more youthful.
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All of our blends are safe to use head to toe. Because tallow is very similar to your skin’s natural oils, it’s a versatile addition to your daily routine. Here are a few simple ways to use it:
Hair ends: Rub a very small amount between your hands and smooth onto clean, damp ends after showering. A little goes a long way.
Makeup remover: Pat onto dry skin, then wipe away with a warm, damp washcloth.
Cleanser (oil cleansing): Repeat the process to gently cleanse and help support your skin barrier.
After shaving: Apply a light layer to soothe and moisturize skin.
Scalp treatment: Massage a small amount into your scalp before bed and wash out in the morning. (Try: Vanilla Castor Oil)
Lip balm: Dab onto dry lips.
Cuticle care: Massage into cuticles and nails.
Oily or acne-prone skin: Using nourishing oils can help support balance and strengthen the skin barrier. (Pat first until skin gets acclimated)
We always recommend starting with a small amount and adjusting as needed.
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Store in a cool place, away from direct heat & sunlight.
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Best by date on the bottom of our jars or 12 months after opening.
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Because the balm is made with natural fats and no stabilizers, texture may change with temperature. Graininess or slight shifts in consistency are completely normal and do not affect quality.