Meet Us: Local Roots, Simple Beauty
We’re Shannon Downing and Kelli Noonan—longtime friends, Encinitas locals, and women who believe that what touches your skin should be as clean, trustworthy, and intentional as what you eat.
With Glow & Behold Lotion, we set out to do one thing: replace the synthetic-filled products in our bathroom with something better—small-batch, truly organic skincare crafted with love right here in our beach-town backyard.
Why We Chose to Eliminate Synthetics
Every morning and night, we put something on our skin—creams, lotions, serums. But how often do we stop and ask: What’s actually in this? Where did it come from? Does my body even recognize it?
When we started looking closer at our own products, we noticed a pattern: glossy marketing, big-brand promises, and long ingredient lists full of synthetic chemicals, preservatives, and fillers. As two women who live active, outdoor lives in Encinitas—surfing, hiking, traveling the world, adventuring in the mountains, swimming, and soaking up the sun—we realized our skin was craving something better.
We wanted skincare that could keep up with our lifestyle—simple, effective, clean, and local. That’s why Glow & Behold Lotion is crafted in small batches and completely free from artificial fragrances, synthetic emulsifiers, petrochemicals, and fillers.
Instead, we handcraft each jar using organic, whole ingredients—like grass-fed tallow, a natural moisturizer that mirrors your skin’s own oils, helping it stay hydrated and balanced without compromise.
Because when it comes to truly healthy, radiant skin, less isn’t just more—it’s everything.
Enter Tallow: Nature’s Skin-Friendly Fat
One of our hero ingredients is grass-fed tallow—yes, the same nourishing fat our ancestors trusted for soft, healthy skin. We source ours from pasture-raised cattle and render it to cosmetic-grade purity, making it ultra-clean, nutrient-rich, and gentle on all skin types.
So why tallow? Because it works with your skin, not against it.
Modern research confirms what generations before us knew intuitively: tallow’s fatty acid profile—rich in oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids—closely resembles the natural oils our skin produces. This similarity helps tallow absorb easily, support the skin barrier, and lock in long-lasting moisture.
A 2024 PubMed review found that tallow-based moisturizers increased hydration and improved moisture retention over time. It’s also naturally packed with vitamins A, D, E, and K, which promote skin renewal, elasticity, and antioxidant protection.
Because tallow blends so harmoniously with your body’s own oils, many people find they need less product over time—skin becomes more resilient and hydrated naturally.
At Glow & Behold, we combine our grass-fed tallow with organic botanical oils and herbs, creating small-batch blends that deeply nourish while feeling light, smooth, and breathable—Perfect for skin that faces it all—the sun, surf, and salt air, or the mountain’s dry winds, snow, and high-altitude chill.
Benefits of Using Glow & Behold Lotion
Our lotion blends grass-fed tallow with organic oils, botanicals, and simple, effective ingredients—nothing extra, nothing fake. Here’s what that means for your skin:
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Deep hydration that lasts. Your skin stays soft and moisturized—even after long days in the sun, salt water, or wind.
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Healthy, balanced skin. Our formula helps restore your natural barrier so it feels smooth and firm, never greasy.
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Simpler skincare routine. When your skin is nourished, you don’t need a shelf full of products—just a few that truly work.
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Pure, small-batch quality. Every jar is made locally in Encinitas, using clean, organic ingredients you can actually pronounce.
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Peace of mind. No synthetic fragrances. No hidden chemicals. Just honest skincare that lets your skin breathe and glow naturally.
Honest Skincare, Real Results
We believe in nature’s power—and in transparency. While research on tallow is still growing, studies already show its ability to support hydration and barrier repair. Every skin type is different, so we always recommend patch testing and letting your skin tell you what it needs.
Our philosophy is simple: use the best ingredients possible, stay consistent, and let your skin thrive naturally. We’re not chasing hype—we’re creating calm, one jar at a time.
Why Our Small Batch Matters
Because you matter.
Your skin deserves more than a one-size-fits-all product churned out by machines. Our small-batch process keeps us hands-on—from selecting organic herbs and partnering with a grass-fed farm that shares our values, to rendering the tallow with care and blending every batch with intention.
We’re not building a mass-market brand. We’re building something real—for people who love their skin, their planet, and the simple beauty of knowing exactly what they’re putting on their body.
Final Thoughts
If your bathroom shelf is filled with half-read labels, synthetic promises, and complicated routines, maybe it’s time for something simpler—a lotion that doesn’t add clutter, but instead supports, restores, and celebrates the skin you’re in.
At Glow & Behold, we’re proud to offer that alternative—handcrafted in Encinitas, designed for real life, and rooted in nature’s most life-giving ingredients. Every jar is a reminder that pure, organic skincare can be powerful without being complicated.
Here’s to skin that truly glows—and to a daily routine that feels honest, grounding, and alive.