The fatty acids found in tallow, ghee and emu oil are powerful because they’re natural, bioavailable and easily recognised by our skin. They absorb deeply, nourish fully and support long-term skin health. But in big skincare companies, you’ll often find synthetic versions of these same fatty acids created in a lab. While they may look similar on paper, they don’t behave the same way on your skin.
Take oleic acid, for example. In its natural form (from tallow or emu oil), it comes packaged with other nutrients like palmitoleic and linoleic acids that help balance its moisturising effect. The synthetic version may hydrate at first, but without those natural co-factors it can sometimes leave skin feeling greasy or unbalanced.
Or conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), found naturally in ghee and tallow. CLA has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties when left intact, but when replicated synthetically it loses much of that synergy – meaning you don’t get the same skin-calming and restorative benefits.
Synthetic fatty acids are also often combined with preservatives, stabilisers and fillers to keep products shelf-stable for years. These extras can overwhelm the skin and cancel out the potential benefits of the actives. With long-term use, some synthetic formulations may even contribute to dryness, irritation or imbalance, rather than true nourishment.
By contrast, the natural fatty acids in tallow, emu oil and ghee come packaged exactly as nature intended – complete with the co-factors, antioxidants and micronutrients that help them work in harmony with your skin. When we use these ingredients at Barefoot Skincare, we keep them close to their natural state, so your skin receives the full spectrum of benefits without unnecessary extras.
Choosing whole, natural sources of fatty acids means you’re giving your skin the nourishment it recognises and can truly use – simple, safe and effective.