Bioavailability: Why Tallow Nutrients Outperform Plant-Derived Vitamins
In skincare, as in diet, not all vitamins are created equal. A label might promise vitamin A, D, E, or K - but that doesn’t mean your skin can use it. Bioavailability is the key: it refers to how easily a nutrient is absorbed, recognized, and used by the body. And when it comes to bioavailable skincare, animal-based ingredients like grass-fed tallow dramatically outperform plant-derived alternatives.
At VÆR, we prioritize ingredients that speak your skin’s native language. That’s why we rely on tallow - not just because it’s natural, but because it delivers real, usable nutrition in a form your skin actually understands, and is hungry for.
What Your Skin Actually Needs
Your skin barrier is made of lipids. To repair and regenerate itself, it requires stable fats and fat-soluble vitamins that are delivered in a biologically familiar form. Vitamins suspended in water-based formulas or paired with unstable seed oils often oxidize before they ever reach your skin. Others are present only in precursor forms that require complex conversions inside the body to become active.
In contrast, the nutrients in tallow are delivered in a stable lipid matrix - just like your skin is designed to receive them. This means faster absorption, less waste, and greater impact where it matters most.
Vitamin A: Retinol vs Beta-Carotene
Plant-based skincare often boasts “provitamin A” in the form of beta-carotene. But beta-carotene is not biologically active - it must be converted by enzymes into usable retinol. Research shows this conversion is inefficient and varies from person to person. Your skin may never receive enough of the active form it needs to stimulate cell turnover and collagen production.
Tallow contains true retinol - vitamin A in its active, ready-to-use form. It doesn’t require conversion and is delivered directly into the skin via a compatible fat-based vehicle. This makes it significantly more effective at supporting regeneration, tone, and barrier repair.
Vitamin D: D3 vs D2
Another common disconnect in plant-based formulations is vitamin D. Most plant sources provide D2 (ergocalciferol), which has lower absorption and less skin impact compared to D3 (cholecalciferol), the form naturally found in animal fat and synthesized in human skin.
Tallow contains D3 in its naturally occurring, skin-ready form. It supports immune modulation, inflammation control, and repair of the epidermis - functions that D2 cannot match at equivalent doses.
Vitamin K: K1 vs K2
Plant oils may contain vitamin K1 (phylloquinone), but what your body and skin really need is K2 (menaquinone), the more active and bioavailable form. K1 must undergo conversion to K2, a process that is slow, inefficient, and inconsistent.
K2 plays a vital role in maintaining skin elasticity, supporting capillary health, and potentially reducing dark circles or scar formation. Tallow naturally contains small amounts of K2, offering a functional advantage over most plant-derived oils.
Why Lipid Matrix Delivery Matters
Beyond the type of vitamin, how it's delivered makes all the difference. Tallow’s nutrient profile is embedded in a lipid matrix - a fat-rich structure that mimics the skin barrier itself. This means:
– No need for synthetic carriers
– Better absorption into the epidermis
– Nutrients are protected from oxidation
– Greater stability and longer shelf life
Water-based or alcohol-based products, by contrast, struggle to deliver fat-soluble vitamins effectively. Even when these vitamins are present, they may never penetrate deeply enough or stay intact long enough to do their job.
Scientific Benefits and Comparison
Emerging research supports the superior bioavailability of animal-derived nutrients for skin health. Tallow-based formulations show enhanced delivery of fat-soluble vitamins and fatty acids compared to synthetic or plant-derived versions. Studies on lipid-based delivery systems confirm that nutrient absorption is highest when vitamins are dissolved in compatible fats, not water or seed oil emulsions.
At VÆR, we use whole, unrefined tallow from grass-fed, grass-finished cattle. This ensures the full spectrum of vitamins A, D3, E, and K2 remains intact, stable, and usable—no synthetic additives or unstable carriers required.
The VÆR Approach
We don’t add isolated vitamins to our formulas - we start with ingredients that naturally contain them in bioavailable form. Grass-fed tallow is the foundation, bringing real retinol, D3, K2, and vitamin E in a form your skin already knows. We pair it with jojoba oil, beeswax, calendula, and other botanical allies that support absorption and stability.
This isn’t synthetic nutrition. It’s ancestral nourishment. Delivered the way nature intended.
Conclusion: Nutrition Your Skin Can Actually Use
Bioavailability matters. Labels can be misleading, but your skin can’t be fooled. It responds best to nutrients it recognizes - delivered in the right form, at the right dose, with the right carrier. That’s why we use tallow: not just for tradition, but for performance. Because when your skincare is made from ingredients your body understands, the results speak for themselves.
See the research here→