By Rachel Kim · 11 min read · Rating: 4.6/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ · Keyword: Sky & Sol vs Earthley
Rachel Kim
Health & Wellness Writer · Compared both brands' full product lines and tested Sky & Sol's tallow skincare for 4 weeks
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and reflects personal testing and independent research. It does not constitute medical advice — consult a dermatologist about the best skincare and sun protection for your needs.
Table of Contents
“Sky & Sol has been a great resource for my friends, family and patients! I'm always on the lookout for skincare products that are not only natural, but also effective. I appreciate the lineup and ingredients they use, and the application of all their topicals are all smooth and non-greasy. The application itself also provides phenomenal protection against UVA and UVB rays. I highly recommend Sky & Sol for daily use and outdoor activities!”
— Dr. Ronak Patel, ND, and Ashley Cohen, PA-C (via Sky & Sol customer testimonials)
Earthley showed up in my algorithm first — it's been around since 2016 and has a loyal following in the natural-mama corner of the internet. But when I actually put its tallow balms next to Sky & Sol's lineup, I realized I was comparing two fairly different businesses that both happen to sell tallow. Here's how they stack up when you look past the marketing.
Two Different Approaches to Tallow
Earthley Wellness started as a family herbal remedy brand — its founder, Kate, began making DIY salves in 2009 after her baby developed food allergies and skin issues, and the company has since grown into a large catalog of herbal tinctures, balms, and family wellness products, with tallow balm as just one line among many. Sky & Sol, by contrast, was built specifically around tallow-based sun care and skincare from day one, with its non-nano zinc oxide sunscreen as the flagship product and everything else — moisturizer, serum, lip balm — built around supporting that core routine.
That difference in focus shows up everywhere: in pricing, in how tested the sun protection claims are, and in how the two brands are set up to ship and support a purchase.
Sky & Sol vs. Earthley, Product by Product
Sky and Sol Face & Body Sunscreen SPF 50 — $29.99
A dedicated, non-nano zinc oxide sunscreen in a tallow-jojoba base. Earthley doesn't have a direct equivalent — its catalog doesn't include a tested SPF sun care product.
The Everything Cream (Sky & Sol) — $34.99 vs. Tallow Balm (Earthley) — $32–$62
Both are all-purpose tallow moisturizers. Earthley's balms come in more scent variations (lavender, almond vanilla, frankincense, sage, magnesium, unscented), while Sky & Sol keeps it to one core formula with added jojoba oil and lecithin for smoother absorption.
Sky and Sol Lip Jelly SPF 25 (Pack of 3) — $27.99
Combines mineral SPF with a glossy tallow-based finish. Earthley's Natural Lip Balm ($3.49–$3.99) is cheaper but doesn't include SPF protection.
Want tallow skincare that's actually built around tested sun protection? See Sky & Sol's full routine.
My Real Experience, Week by Week
Week 1: First Impressions
I ordered Earthley's unscented tallow balm and Sky & Sol's Everything Cream at the same time. Earthley's balm arrived in a smaller jar for a comparable price and had a noticeably thicker, more solid texture that took real effort to warm up between my fingers before it spread. Sky & Sol's cream was softer straight out of the jar and absorbed in about half the time.
Weeks 2–3: Building Into Real Life
By day 12, both moisturizers had improved the dry patch on my chin similarly — this part of the comparison was genuinely close. Where they diverged was sun protection: I had nothing from Earthley to reach for on sunny days, so I kept using my old sunscreen underneath their balm, which felt redundant. With Sky & Sol, the SPF 50 and Everything Cream worked as one coordinated routine.
Week 4: The Real Test
I tried to build a full “sun day” routine around Earthley alone and couldn't — I still needed a separate sunscreen, which added a product and a cost Sky & Sol's lineup doesn't require. That gap, more than any texture or scent difference, is what tipped this comparison for me if sun protection is part of what you're shopping for.
Where Sky & Sol Wins
- Actual SPF-tested sun protection — Earthley's catalog doesn't include a dedicated, non-nano zinc oxide sunscreen.
- More consistent, accessible pricing — Sky & Sol's core lineup runs $27.99–$34.99, versus Earthley's tallow balms ranging up to $62 depending on scent.
- Free shipping over $47 and a generous return policy, a more standardized experience than Earthley's smaller-batch fulfillment.
- Faster-absorbing texture in my side-by-side test, likely due to the added jojoba oil balancing the tallow base.
- HSA/FSA eligibility through Sky & Sol's Flex partnership, which Earthley doesn't currently offer.
- A larger, centralized review base — over 600 Trustpilot reviews at 5 stars, plus thousands of per-product reviews on its own site.
What to Know Before You Order
- Earthley offers more scent variety in its balms if you want options beyond Sky & Sol's core unscented-leaning formulas.
- If you're already invested in Earthley's broader herbal ecosystem — tinctures, family remedies, and so on — buying tallow balm from the same brand may be more convenient.
- Sky & Sol's product range is more sun-care-focused, so if you're looking for herbal remedies beyond skincare, you'll need to shop elsewhere either way.
Full Comparison Table
| Feature | Sky & Sol | Earthley |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | Sun care & skincare brand | 2016, family herbal wellness |
| Dedicated SPF sunscreen | Yes, SPF 50/30 | No |
| Core moisturizer price | $34.99 | $32–$62 |
| Free shipping threshold | $47+ | Not standardized |
| HSA/FSA eligible | Yes, via Flex | No |
| Trustpilot reviews | 600+, 5-star average | Scattered across sites |
| Scent variety | Limited, mostly unscented | Multiple options |
Who Should Choose Sky & Sol
If sun protection is part of what you're shopping for, or you want one brand that covers sunscreen, moisturizer, and lip protection in a coordinated routine, Sky & Sol is the more complete option. It's also the better fit if you want predictable pricing, a standard return policy, and HSA/FSA eligibility.
Maybe Wait If…
If you're already deep into Earthley's herbal wellness ecosystem and specifically want a scented tallow balm as one part of a bigger natural-remedy cabinet, it's reasonable to stick with what you know — just budget for a separate sunscreen alongside it.
Final Verdict: 4.6/5
Both brands make a legitimate case for tallow, but they're solving different problems. Earthley is a broad herbal wellness brand where tallow balm is one product among many; Sky & Sol is a sun care and skincare brand built around tallow from the ground up, with the tested SPF protection, consistent pricing, and shipping perks to match. For anyone whose routine needs to include actual sun protection, Sky & Sol comes out ahead.
One brand, one coordinated tallow routine — sunscreen, moisturizer, and lip protection included.
FAQ
Is Earthley a tallow skincare brand?
Earthley Wellness is a broader family herbal wellness brand founded in 2016 that includes several tallow balm variations among a much larger catalog of herbal remedies, rather than a brand built specifically around tallow and sun care like Sky & Sol.
Does Earthley make a sunscreen?
Earthley's catalog centers on herbal balms, salves, and family wellness products rather than a dedicated, SPF-tested sunscreen line, which is the core focus of Sky & Sol's product range.
Which is cheaper, Sky & Sol or Earthley?
Sky & Sol's core products are priced between $27.99 and $34.99, while Earthley's tallow balm variations range from about $32 to $62 depending on scent and batch, making Sky & Sol the more consistently accessible option.
Does Sky & Sol or Earthley have better shipping and return policies?
Sky & Sol offers free shipping on orders over $47 and a generous return policy, a more standardized e-commerce experience than Earthley's more artisanal, small-batch fulfillment model.
Is Sky & Sol or Earthley better for sun protection?
Sky & Sol, since its Face & Body Sunscreen is a dedicated SPF 50/30 product built around non-nano zinc oxide, while Earthley's tallow balms are formulated as moisturizers rather than tested sun protection products.
Which brand has more customer reviews?
Sky & Sol has built up more than 600 reviews on Trustpilot with a 5-star average, plus thousands of individual product reviews on its own site — a larger, more centralized review base than Earthley's.
Can I use HSA or FSA funds on either brand?
Sky & Sol has a direct Flex integration that lets you pay with an HSA or FSA card at checkout for eligible products, a feature Earthley does not currently offer.
Which tallow brand is best for beginners?
Sky & Sol is generally the easier entry point thanks to its more accessible pricing, dedicated sunscreen line, and free-shipping threshold, while Earthley may appeal more to shoppers already invested in its broader herbal wellness ecosystem.
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