Remy’s Journal: Episode 007 - Mint to Be Fresh
Entry Date: A Sweltering July Afternoon
Howdy. Remy here—writing this with my boots kicked off and my hooves feeling like they’ve walked a hundred miles. After a long day hauling the wagon, shaking hands at the market, and loading crates one last time, I wanted one thing: that clean, cool reset for skin that’s hot, tight, and begging for moisture.
You know that feeling when you step out of an ice-cold shower on a blazing summer day? That split second when your skin goes from "I'm melting" to "Ah, yes, this is what relief feels like"? That’s what I was chasing when I started playing around with peppermint for our next balm.
Let me back up a bit.
It was mid-summer last year, and I'd just finished loading up the wagon after a farmers market. My hands were sticky, my feet were screaming, and all I wanted was something that felt... fresh. Not just moisturized, refreshed. Like a cool breeze decided to live in a tin.
That's when Mint to Be started taking shape in my mind.
The Peppermint Epiphany
I've always loved peppermint. Growing up, my grandmother had this ridiculous mint patch in her backyard that basically took over half the garden. She'd make iced tea with it, toss it in salads, and every once in a while, she'd crush a few leaves between her palms and tell me to smell them.
"Nature's air conditioning," she'd say with a wink.
She wasn't wrong. Peppermint has this incredible cooling sensation, not because it actually drops your skin temperature, but because it activates the same receptors that respond to cold. It's like tricking your body into thinking it just got a blast of arctic air. Pretty clever, right?
So I thought: what if we could capture that exact feeling in a grass-fed tallow balm? Something dense, silky, and concentrated (not whipped), with a smooth, non-gritty glide—plus that signature peppermint tingle that wakes your skin right up.
The First (Somewhat Disastrous) Batch
I'm not going to lie, my first attempt was... intense.
I got a little overzealous with the peppermint essential oil. The result? A balm that felt less like "refreshing coolness" and more like "did I just rub IcyHot on my entire body?" Eric tried it after a workout and literally said, "Remy, I think my face is going numb."
Oops.
Back to the drawing board. The key was finding that perfect balance, enough peppermint to give you that cooling, tingly sensation without turning you into a walking menthol advertisement. After about six rounds of testing (and many, many volunteers from our local gym), we nailed it.
The result? A natural peppermint skincare solution that actually knows when to quit.
Why Peppermint + Tallow = Match Made in Heaven
Here's what makes this combo so special: tallow is naturally rich in vitamins A, D, E, and K—stuff your skin actually appreciates. It’s deeply moisturizing because it’s made up of biocompatible fats and skin-compatible lipids that play nice with your skin’s natural surface oils.
And the texture matters here, too. Mint to Be is dense, silky, and concentrated (not whipped), so a little goes a long way—and it spreads smooth without that gritty feel you’ll find in a lot of tallow balms.
But peppermint brings something totally different to the party. While the pasture raised tallow is doing the heavy lifting to support your moisture barrier and help soothe the appearance of redness, the peppermint is:
- Cooling overheated skin (hello, summer hikes and post-gym sessions)
- Adding a tingly, wake-you-up sensation (invigorating, not syrupy)
- Giving you that "clean" sensation that makes your skin feel refreshed
- Naturally refreshing without any synthetic cooling agents or weird chemicals
It's like the tallow is the dependable best friend who always has your back, and the peppermint is the fun friend who shows up with surprises and makes everything more exciting.
The Morning After Leg Day
One of my favorite testimonials for Mint to Be came from a guy named Marcus at our local CrossFit box. He grabbed a tin after I mentioned it might help with muscle soreness.
The next week, he came back and bought five more.
"Dude," he said (and yes, he actually says "dude"), "leg day is never fun. But rubbing this on my quads afterward? Game changer. It's like the peppermint tells my muscles to chill out while the balm actually helps them recover."
That's exactly what I was hoping for with this cooling skin balm. Whether you're an athlete dealing with muscle fatigue, someone who's been on their feet all day, or you just want something that feels amazing on hot summer skin: Mint to Be has your back.
The Feet Don't Lie
Let's talk about feet for a second. Because honestly, our feet deserve so much more appreciation than they get.
You know when you finally kick your shoes off at the end of a long day, and your feet are just... tired? Not necessarily hurting, just done? That's when Mint to Be really shines.
The peppermint gives you instant relief: that cooling sensation hits and your feet basically sigh with happiness. Then the tallow gets to work on any rough patches, dry skin, or calluses. I like to slap some on before bed and wake up with feet that actually feel human again.
Pro tip: keep a tin in your gym bag, your car, and next to your bed. Trust me on this.
Not Just for Athletes
While Mint to Be definitely appeals to the fitness crowd (and we love you gym rats), I've been amazed at how many different ways people use this peppermint tallow balm.
Gardeners rub it on their hands after a long day of weeding. Parents use it on their temples when they need a moment of zen. One customer told me she keeps it in her purse for that midday refresh when the office AC just isn't cutting it.
My personal favorite? After a day working outside in the North Carolina heat, there's nothing better than a cool shower followed by Mint to Be on the shoulders, neck, and wherever else the sun decided to be a little too friendly. The cooling effect combined with tallow's skin-soothing properties is like a spa day in a tin.
The "Clean" Factor
One thing people always mention about Mint to Be is how clean it makes their skin feel. Not in a "I just used harsh soap" way, but in an "everything feels fresh and reset" kind of way.
I think it's because peppermint has this amazing ability to make your skin feel awakened. It's invigorating without being aggressive. You get that tingle, that cool sensation, and suddenly your skin feels like it just took a deep breath.
And unlike some synthetic cooling products that can leave a weird residue or that sticky-then-dry feeling, Mint to Be absorbs beautifully. The tallow melts right into your skin at body temperature, taking the peppermint goodness with it.
No greasy aftermath. No weird film. Just hydrated, happy skin with a lingering hint of fresh mint.
The Scent Story
Let's be real: scent matters. I could create the most effective balm in the world, but if it smells like wet dog or chemical factory runoff, nobody's going to use it.
Mint to Be smells exactly like you'd hope: clean, fresh, and naturally minty. It's not candy-cane sweet or toothpaste-intense. It's more like walking through a herb garden on a cool morning when the dew is still on the leaves.
The peppermint essential oil we use is pure: no synthetic fragrances, no "natural flavors" that are actually made in a lab. Just real peppermint doing what peppermint does best.
Keep It Simple, Keep It Natural
At the end of the day, Mint to Be is another example of our philosophy here at The Remedy Wagon: quality ingredients, no nonsense, and products that actually work.
We're not trying to reinvent the wheel or convince you that you need seventeen steps in your skincare routine. We're just making natural peppermint skincare that feels amazing to use—especially when your skin needs comfort, hydration, and a fresh, minty reset.
And yep, I’ll say it again because folks ask: this balm is dense, silky, and concentrated (NOT whipped) with a smooth, non-gritty finish.
Who is this NOT for?
Mint to Be is a favorite around here—but it’s not everybody’s everyday tin.
- If you’re sensitive to peppermint essential oil: peppermint can feel tingly (and on very sensitive skin, that can feel like “too much”). If you’ve reacted to minty products before, go slow or choose an unscented option like Plain Jayne.
- If your skin runs very oily: because this is a concentrated balm, using too much can feel heavy. Some oily-skin folks still love it—just use the tiniest amount, or reserve it for drier areas (hands, heels, elbows).
Remy’s Patch Test Tip
If you’re new to peppermint balms, here’s my easy patch test:
- Dab a rice-grain amount on the inside of your forearm (or behind the ear).
- Leave it on for 24 hours (don’t scrub it off early).
- If it feels comfortable and your skin looks happy, you’re good to go.
Ancestral Archive
Before “10-step routines” and neon-blue gels, people leaned on simple, traditional ingredients that did one job well. Animal fats (including tallow) have a long history in skincare because they’re stable, nourishing, and packed with skin-compatible lipids that help keep moisture from slipping away.
We’re not trying to time-travel—we’re just keeping the best parts: straightforward formulas, quality sourcing, and a balm texture that stays smooth (never gritty).
Your Turn to Try
So here's my challenge: next time you're feeling overheated, overtired, or just over it, grab a tin of Mint to Be. Rub a small amount on your shoulders, the bottoms of your feet, hands, or anywhere that needs a little comfort.
Take a deep breath. Feel that cooling tingle. Notice how your skin starts to feel more settled and hydrated.
That's the magic of peppermint and pasture raised tallow working together—simple, traditional, and seriously satisfying.
→ Read: Why Tallow Works
→ Shop: Mint to Be Peppermint Tallow Balm
Medical disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. These products are cosmetic and not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you have a medical condition, are pregnant/nursing, or have known sensitivities, consult a qualified healthcare professional before use.
Until next time,
Remy
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