Authored by Emma Gardner
Fat Marshmallow v. Tub O’ Lard: What’s the Scoop?
We have never been more excited about a product hitting the shelves of Ray’s Reusables. Don’t hold us to that, but we feel pretty strongly about anything Vellum Street comes up with. Local maker Vellum Street Soap Co. has come out with a new product just in time for those chilly -ber months: TUB O’ LARD!
Tub O’ Lard whipped balm is the newest installment in a wonderful product line from Vellum Street, and we are so pleased to have it here with us. Even more so because now we get to play the fun game of comparison between the ever fan fave, Fat Marshmallow, their OG whipped marshmallow tallow skin fluff, and a literal tub of lard (we couldn’t have named it better ourselves, by the way). Both products have benefits, but there is a noticeable difference between the two that might make you sway one way or the other when choosing your moisturizer this winter and beyond.
If you do any type of work that involves a lot of hand washing, you know how important it is to have a deeply repairing moisturizer at your fingertips, pun intended. That’s why we were so excited about this lard and beeswax based balm, because it’s perfect for uber dry hands if you’re wanting something that’s fast absorbing and doesn’t leave a greasy residue. And don’t forget the sustainable perks! Both products are packed per usual in repurposed and upcycled jars provided by local non-profit Bottle Underground, whom we also partner with for our in store glass recycling - this may even be your old salsa jar! So how does it compare to the Fat Marshmallow? Let’s dive in.
Starting with the one that started it all: Fat Marshmallow is famous for its whipped consistency, perfect for an all over body butter. It can hit all those dry areas and spreads easily and evenly for a deeply moisturizing effect on the skin. One of the noticeable differences between the two is that Fat Marshmallow is made without essential oils, its light vanilla sweet scent coming from a marshmallow root and vanilla bean infusion, so if you are sensitive to essential oils this rich and smooth butter may be a better choice for an all over moisturizer. Made up of tallow, beeswax, marshmallow root, vanilla bean and arrowroot, this is a simple and sensitive formula that is safe even for pets, as well as cuts and scrapes!
→ This slightly heavier butter can be used on the hands, feet, body, and even face. If slugging is your skin weapon of choice, this tallow moisturizer may be your new best friend.
Another key difference between the two products is that the Fat Marshmallow, being a heavier consistency, has a longer absorption time into the skin. This may leave a more noticeable “greasier” feel on the skin, but the moisture feels longer lasting and more protective. Tallow tends to sit on the skin and act as a barrier before it absorbs, but once it does it leaves your skin feeling incredibly soft and hydrated. All in all, we love Fat Marshmallow for its classically sweet scent and multipurpose applications.
Now onto the new: what the heck is in a Tub of Lard? Well, lard. Vellum Street Co’s newest product is a delightful concoction of lard, beeswax, jojoba oil, and a mix of wintery and bright essential oils such as tea tree, wintergreen, lime, and coriander. For any of my PA folks, this scent is reminiscent of the teaberry classic that we know and love. The creator of Vellum Street lets us know that lard is close enough in lipid structure and pH to human sebum, which is what makes it such a compatible moisturizer. This is why this pig fat based moisturizer absorbs so easily and lightly into the skin, leaving no noticeable feel beyond the moisture it provides.
The quicker absorbency and balm over butter consistency of this moisturizer may make it a better choice for those dry hands in the chilly winter months or after too many hand washes during cold and flu season.
If essential oils are something you are sensitive to, this may be a balm better left for hands, feet, and any other dry areas, although it is safe and sensitive enough for your face per Vellum Street Co! If you’re specifically looking for something to use on the face, the way that I look at the consistency of the two, I would be comfortable using the Tub o’ Lard on my face as a day moisturizer, and Fat Marshmallow as a night moisturizer.
→ As we go into the colder winter months, both scents are perfect if you’re looking for something seasonal to give! The notes of vanilla are like a warm hug in the Fat Marshmallow, and the cool and fresh notes of Tub O’ Lard are wintery and wonderful.
As of now, Tub O’ Lard is only available in a 12 oz full size, but we’re hoping for a mini soon - looking at you Vellum Street! Fat Marshmallow is available in an 11 oz full size and a 1.5 oz mini, find both on our website or stop in the shop and smell them in person. You may even leave with a Cherry Wooder Ice bar soap to precleanse before you moisturize that deserving skin. How does the cost break down? Pretty comparable. At $3.27/oz for the Fat Marshmallow tallow butter, and $3.50/oz for Tub o’ Lard balm, you can’t go wrong with either.
Our consensus is that both are amazing products with their own benefits, and it comes down to your skin’s individual needs and what you’re looking for out of a moisturizer. If you’re looking for something non greasy and faster drying with a lighter feel on the skin: grab yourself a tub of lard. If you’re wanting protective masking moisture that leaves your skin feeling soft and hydrated, the whipped body butter that smells like a can of frosting (in the best way) might be for you. We hope this helps distinguish between the two for you, and if you have a chance to stop in the shop on your next refill trip we have testers of both products available so you can see for yourself! Happy moisturizing, friends!
