Tallowtan™ · Ingredients

Clean label.
No secrets.

Every ingredient in Tallowtan is there for a reason. Here's exactly what's in it, what it does, and why it belongs.

01
The Base
What carries the formula and keeps your skin nourished
Ingredient What it does
Grass-Fed Tallow Bos Taurus (Beef) Tallow

The hero ingredient. Biocompatible with human skin lipids — rich in vitamins A, D, E and K. Deeply nourishes the barrier, prevents dryness, and delivers lasting hydration while your tan develops.

Hemisqualane Hemisqualane

Plant-derived emollient that mimics squalane — one of your skin's own lipids. Lightweight, non-greasy, and helps the formula glide on evenly for streak-free results.

Montanov 68 MB Cetearyl Glucoside, Cetearyl Alcohol

A naturally derived, eco-certified emulsifier that binds the water and oil phases together. Creates a luxuriously smooth texture without synthetic surfactants.

Cetyl Alcohol Cetyl Alcohol

A fatty alcohol (not drying) that thickens and stabilizes the formula and adds a silky skin feel. Helps the cream spread evenly without tugging.

Coco-Caprylate Coco-Caprylate/Caprate

A coconut-derived lightweight skin conditioner that improves spreadability and gives the formula its smooth, non-greasy finish.

Distilled Water Aqua

Purified water forms the aqueous base of the emulsion. Pharmaceutical-grade distilled — free from contaminants that can destabilize the formula or irritate sensitive skin.

02
Tanning Actives
The science behind your color
Ingredient What it does
DHA Dihydroxyacetone

The primary tanning active. Reacts with amino acids in the outermost skin layer (the Maillard reaction) to produce a brown color. Develops within 4–8 hours and lasts 5–7 days as skin naturally sheds.

Erythrulose Erythrulose

A slower-developing tanning active that works synergistically with DHA. Extends the tan's longevity, improves evenness, and creates a more natural-looking, balanced brown tone — reducing the orange cast associated with DHA alone.

03
Skin Actives
The ingredients that make this skincare, not just self tanner
Ingredient What it does
Niacinamide Niacinamide

Vitamin B3 at clinical concentration. Evens skin tone, minimizes pores, reduces inflammation, and strengthens the barrier. Especially beneficial for sensitive and acne-prone skin types.

Sodium Hyaluronate Sodium Hyaluronate

The sodium salt form of hyaluronic acid — smaller molecule than standard HA, allowing deeper skin penetration. Draws moisture into the skin and holds it there throughout the day.

Panthenol Panthenol

Pro-vitamin B5. Converts to pantothenic acid in the skin, accelerating barrier repair, reducing redness, and improving moisture retention. A key reason Tallowtan works on skin that reacts to other self tanners.

Allantoin Allantoin

A naturally occurring soothing compound that calms irritation, promotes healthy cell turnover, and protects sensitive skin during the tanning development process. Particularly effective for eczema-prone skin.

Sepilife Nude Proprietary Active Complex

A premium luminosity active that enhances skin radiance and glow — giving Tallowtan's finish a lit-from-within quality rather than a flat, matte result.

04
Preservation & pH
Keeping the formula safe and stable — naturally
Ingredient What it does
Dermosoft 1388 Eco Glycerin, Aqua, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Anisate

A naturally derived, COSMOS-approved preservative system. Protects against microbial contamination without parabens, formaldehyde releasers, or synthetic antimicrobials. Safe for sensitive skin.

Citric / Lactic Acid Citric Acid, Lactic Acid

Used to adjust and maintain the formula's pH to the optimal range for skin compatibility and DHA performance. Both are naturally occurring acids found in fruit and milk.

What We Left Out No compromises.
No drying alcohols No synthetic fragrance No parabens No formaldehyde releasers No mineral oil No artificial dyes No sulfates No phthalates No silicones No harsh preservatives
See it in action Find your perfect shade.
Take the Shade Quiz Read the Formula