A new Devon-based skincare brand, Howton Tallow, has launched with the aim of offering a simpler, more honest approach to skin care, rooted in natural ingredients and made by hand in the heart of the South West.
Founded by Ian Prince, a tradesman from Newton Abbot, the business was inspired by his own need for a product that could care for hardworking, overexposed skin without the chemicals and synthetic ingredients often found in mainstream brands.
“I wanted something simple, natural and effective,” Ian explains. “Most skincare products I tried were full of chemicals or made promises they didn’t deliver on. So, I started experimenting with tallow, an ingredient people have used for centuries and I was amazed at the results. That’s when Howton Tallow began.”
Handmade in Devon by Ian and his small family-run team, Howton Tallow’s balms are
made using just a few carefully selected ingredients, including tallow and essential oils.
They’re free from parabens, artificial fragrances and unnecessary additives and suitable for use across the whole body.
Tallow is a nutrient-rich natural fat derived from grass-fed beef, traditionally used in
skincare for its moisturising and protective properties. Its unique fatty acid profile is
closely aligned with the skin’s own structure, making it highly absorbable, long-lasting and well-tolerated by many skin types.
Tallow has long been trusted for its protective and healing properties, with roots in skincare traditions dating back centuries. From ancient civilisations like the Egyptians and Romans to rural European households in the 17th and 18th centuries, rendered animal fats were commonly used to soothe dry, weather-worn skin. What makes tallow remarkable and still relevant today is its unique similarity to the structure of human skin.
As more consumers seek out natural, transparent alternatives, demand for clean beauty is rising. According to the Soil Association, the UK’s certified organic and natural beauty market is now worth over £150 million.
Meanwhile, Mintel reports that 40% of natural skincare buyers choose these products because they believe they are gentler on the skin.
“We’re really proud to be building this here in Devon,” Ian adds. “It’s always been a place that values nature, simplicity and sustainability and that’s exactly what Howton Tallow stands for.”
Over the coming months, Ian plans to explore opportunities to stock Howton Tallow products at local farm shops and markets across South Devon, alongside online sales through the brand’s website.
Local residents can be among the first to try the range by ordering direct at www.howtontallow.co.uk or following @howtontallow on Instagram for product news and skincare tips.
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