How we scored it
Tallow fatty acids (natural, animal-derived) + potassium (natural mineral counter-ion) → 1.0.
What counts. ISO 16128-2 scores the atoms that remain in the final ingredient. Reagents, solvents, catalysts and protecting groups used during manufacture leave no mass behind and are not counted.
Where it comes from
Produced by saponifying tallow (rendered beef or mutton fat) fatty acids with potassium hydroxide. No petrochemical route is used commercially.
In plain English
A cleansing and emulsifying ingredient made from tallow (rendered animal fat) fatty acids combined with potassium. Used in traditional soap bars to clean skin. Comes from animal fat rather than a plant source.
CosIng definition: Fatty acids, tallow, potassium salts
References
- 1ISO 16128-1:2016 and ISO 16128-2:2017 — Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products. ISO, Geneva.
- 2POTASSIUM TALLOWATE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
- 3POTASSIUM TALLOWATE. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=POTASSIUM%20TALLOWATE