Your clean tallow-based sunscreen could be attracting sharks and damaging pool filtration systems.
In today's Ask Me Anything episode, I'm answering a question that's been flooding my DMs since I shared my thoughts on tallow-based sunscreens while at the beach in San Diego. While I absolutely love PrimallyPure's new regenerative, organic tallow-based SPF for hiking and outdoor activities, there are two specific situations where I wouldn't use this type of sunscreen.
First, let's talk about the ocean. Sharks have an incredible sense of smell, especially when it comes to animal fats. During shark season when great whites migrate past the California coast, the last thing I want to do is slather myself in tallow and go surfing at dawn or dusk when attacks are more likely. Yes, shark attacks are rare, but why take an unnecessary risk when there are plenty of other clean mineral sunscreen options?
The second issue is chlorinated pools. Tallow is not water-soluble, so it separates from pool water, floats on top, and accumulates in filtration systems and piping, just like pouring cooking oil down your drain. This can seriously damage pool equipment and interfere with chlorine's ability to sanitize the water, creating a breeding ground for bacteria. Whether it's a public pool or your own backyard, tallow-based sunscreens and chlorinated water don't mix.
In today's episode, we're chatting about:
• Why sharks are attracted to animal fats and when this matters most
• How tallow sunscreens can damage pool filtration systems and piping
• The difference between regenerative organic tallow and commercial tallow
• When tallow-based sunscreens are actually perfect (hiking, laying out, outdoor activities)
• Why sourcing matters when choosing animal fat-based skincare products
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