Meet the Modern Fuller
Got tallow? You will if Jennifer Jannak has anything to say about it.
Jennifer is the founder of The Modern Fuller, a company that produces balms, soaps and other skincare products made with tallow from premium grass-fed cattle.
She handcrafts her products in small batches each week for sale online and at farmers markets, including in Mission Viejo. Tallow—combined with organic oils Jennifer personally selects for their quality and functionality—is the star ingredient in all of them.
“After 23 years as an esthetician, I became overwhelmed by how complicated skincare had gotten and wanted something simpler and more natural,” she says. “A family Christmas project making old-fashioned soap sparked a love for the process, and The Modern Fuller grew from there. We offer thoughtfully made soap and skincare with simple, premium ingredients.”
Why Tallow for Skincare?
Beef tallow is rendered from the fat of cattle, with the highest-quality tallow typically coming from suet—the fat surrounding the kidneys and other organs. It has been used for centuries in candle-making and soap, and has also long been used as a skin moisturizer.
Jennifer says tallow is particularly well suited to skincare because its fatty-acid profile is similar to that of the oils naturally produced by our skin.
The Modern Fuller’s products address a variety of skincare needs. Its best seller is Blue Tansy Restorative Balm, made with rosehip oil and avocado oil and infused with blue tansy essential oil for a soothing, calming feel.
Looking for a deep-cleansing soap? The Charcoal Clarifying Tallow Bar combines activated charcoal with bentonite clay, tea tree oil and other ingredients designed to cleanse without leaving skin feeling stripped.
And the balms aren’t just for the bathroom. The company’s Backyard Companion is a botanical mosquito-repellent balm featuring citronella and other plant-based ingredients.
“Taking care of your skin doesn't have to be complicated,” says Jennifer. “People have known that for a long time, so we’re just continuing an ancient tradition that’s still needed.”
