Your skin is important to you.

The Truth About Lotions: What’s Really Going On Your Skin?

Let’s be honest — we’ve all slathered on something from a glossy bottle with promises of “hydration,” “glow,” or “sun-kissed radiance.” Whether it’s sunscreen on a beach day, moisturizer after a hot shower, or that anti-ageing miracle cream we bought at 2 a.m. after watching a compelling infomercial — most of us have trusted our skin to commercial lotions. But here’s the thing...

What if the very products claiming to heal, protect, and beautify your skin are actually doing the opposite?

In this blog, we’ll dive into:

• The hidden dangers in most skin lotions and sunscreens
• The impact of synthetic chemicals on your body and the environment
• What should be in a good lotion
• And why a product like Zero BS — derived from something as humble and wholesome as grass-fed beef tallow — may be the most honest skincare revolution yet

Part 1: What’s Lurking in Your Lotion?

Commercial skincare products often come wrapped in sleek branding, but their ingredients tell a very different story. Let’s unpack some of the common culprits you’ll find in mainstream lotions and sunscreens — and the consequences they carry.

1. Parabens (Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben)

Used as preservatives, parabens prevent microbial growth in lotions. But they’ve been linked to hormonal disruption, mimicking estrogen in the body and potentially influencing breast cancer development.

2. Oxybenzone and Octinoxate (Common in Sunscreens)

These chemicals are designed to absorb UV rays but come at a steep cost. Oxybenzone has been linked to allergic reactions, endocrine disruption, and coral reef damage. In fact, Hawaii banned sunscreens containing these substances due to their environmental toxicity.

3. Fragrance (a.k.a. the industry's loophole)

When you see “fragrance” on an ingredients list, it could mean any combination of over 3,000 synthetic chemicals. These can trigger allergic reactions, migraines, respiratory issues, and even hormone disruption. Yet companies are not required to disclose what makes up their “secret” scent blend.

4. Formaldehyde Releasers (DMDM Hydantoin, Imidazolidinyl Urea)

These are used to prolong shelf life, but slowly release small amounts of formaldehyde—a known carcinogen—into your skin and bloodstream.

5. Mineral Oil and Petrolatum

Derived from petroleum, these ingredients coat the skin like plastic, creating an artificial barrier. While they may lock in moisture temporarily, they also lock out your skin’s natural detox process and can clog pores.

6. Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A derivative)

Used in anti-aging and sunscreen products, this compound can break down into free radicals when exposed to sunlight, which ironically increases the risk of skin damage and possibly cancer.

Part 2: The Problem Runs Deeper — Your Skin is Not a Brick Wall

Your skin is your body’s largest organ — and it’s far from being an impenetrable barrier. In fact, it’s highly absorbent. Studies show that up to 60% of what we put on our skin gets absorbed into the bloodstream. This means your skincare products may be delivering a dose of chemicals that bypass your liver (your body’s main detox organ) and head straight into circulation.

What’s more, some of these ingredients can accumulate in fat cells, disrupt your hormones, irritate your skin’s microbiome, and affect long-term health.

Part 3: Sunscreen — Friend or Foe?

Sunscreen is essential for preventing sunburn and reducing the risk of skin cancer, right? True… but not all sunscreens are created equal.

Many conventional sunscreens use chemical filters like avobenzone, homosalate, and octocrylene. These may absorb UV radiation, but they also:

• Penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream
• Act as endocrine disruptors
• Cause allergic reactions or photosensitivity

Meanwhile, physical blockers like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide (especially in non-nano form) are considered safer. They sit on top of the skin and reflect UV rays rather than absorbing them. The takeaway? Be choosy about your sun protection.

Part 4: The Forgotten Heroes — What Should Be In Your Skincare

Not all lotions are bad — but truly healthy ones are rare. Here’s what you do want:

• Simple, pronounceable ingredients
• Natural fats and oils (like tallow, shea butter, coconut oil)
• Cold-pressed plant oils (like jojoba or olive oil)
• Essential oils for gentle fragrance (used sparingly)
• No water (aqua) as a first ingredient — it dilutes active compounds and requires preservatives

Now let’s turn our attention to a brand that checks all the boxes and flips conventional skincare on its glossy, chemical-ridden head.

Part 5: Meet the Game Changer — Zero BS Skincare

At a glance, you might think Zero BS is just another clever name in a crowded skincare market. But it’s far more than that. This South African brand lives up to its name — offering zero chemicals, zero fillers, and zero fluff.

What’s the secret?

Tallow. Yes, beef fat. But not just any beef — it’s derived from grass-fed, free-range cows.

Part 6: Why Tallow is the Ultimate Skin Superfood

Tallow has been used for centuries as a skin salve. Its rich composition makes it biologically compatible with our skin’s natural oils. In fact, its 55% saturated fat profile mimics human sebum — our skin’s natural moisturizer.

Here’s what you’re getting when you use Zero BS tallow-based skincare:

✓ Deep Nourishment

Tallow is brimming with:

• Vitamins A, D, E, and K — These fat-soluble nutrients are essential for skin repair, renewal, and glow.
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids — Fight inflammation, soften dry patches, and calm sensitive or inflamed skin.

✓ Skin Barrier Support

Tallow replenishes the skin’s lipid barrier, which:

• Reduces water loss
• Prevents flakiness and tightness
• Shields against environmental stressors

✓ Microbiome-Friendly

Most lotions contain preservatives that kill bacteria — including the good kind. But your skin, like your gut, has a living microbiome that needs support, not sabotage. Since Zero BS contains no water, it needs no preservatives. That means its ingredients work with your skin, not against it.

✓ Safe for Everyone

• Babies? Yes.
• Dry or sensitive skin? Absolutely.
• Mature skin? It’s like a drink of youth.
• Even eczema and psoriasis sufferers are singing its praises.

Part 7: Backed by Real Testing (Not Marketing Hype)

Unlike many brands that rely on influencer endorsements and questionable before-and-after shots, Zero BS underwent dermatological testing by a third-party laboratory, funded independently by a government body.

The clinical trials adhered to Good Clinical Practice Guidelines — meaning the results weren’t just clean… they were legit.

Part 8: Why We Use Tallow — and Why It Might Offend Some

Yes, Zero BS is not vegan — and that’s by choice, not oversight. The truth is, your skin is animal-based, not plant-based. While the industry often chases trends and buzzwords, Zero BS returns to ancestral wisdom supported by science.

Tallow is biologically appropriate for the human body. That’s why it works.

So yes, it may offend some. But at Zero BS, skin health takes precedence over political correctness.

Part 9: The Honest-to-Goodness Details

With Zero BS, what you see is what you get:

• 100% Natural Ingredients
• ZERO Parabens, ZERO Chemicals, ZERO Preservatives
• No hidden ingredients or unpronounceable nonsense
• Biodegradable and environmentally safe

Even better? Because it’s natural and non-standardized, your balm may be softer in summer and firmer in winter. It might even feel grainy on a cold day. But just like raw honey or coconut oil, that’s proof it’s real.

Warm it on your skin, and it melts into a smooth, nourishing spread.

Part 10: Real Results — What Zero BS Can Do for Your Skin

• Hydrates for hours — even in dry climates
• Softens fine lines and slows signs of aging
• Helps reduce acne, pimples, and scarring
• Evens out skin tone and calms inflammation
• Supports healing from sunburns, burns, radiation therapy
• Soothes eczema and psoriasis flare-ups
• Leaves skin supple, resilient, and radiant

Part 11: From Ancient Tradition to Skincare Revolution

Tallow was once a staple in every household, used in everything from cooking to candles to cosmetics. But with the rise of industrial manufacturing and synthetic alternatives, it fell out of fashion — not because it stopped working, but because it didn’t fit the “modern” aesthetic.

Now, as science and common sense converge, people are rediscovering what their great-grandparents knew: natural, animal-based skincare nourishes like nothing else.

And Zero BS has made it easier than ever to access.

Ready to Ditch the Chemicals?

If you’re done with lotions that promise the moon but deliver hormone disruptors and synthetic gunk, you’re not alone. More people than ever are making the switch to real skincare — and Zero BS is leading the way.

Explore the range here:
👉 Gourmet Butcher – Zero BS Collection

Because your skin deserves more than a pretty label — it deserves honesty.

Final Thoughts

In a world full of skincare confusion, Zero BS stands out by going back to basics — nourishing your skin with exactly what it needs and nothing it doesn’t.

No water. No preservatives. No chemicals. No BS.

Just real results from real ingredients for real people.