About Us

Hi, I’m Jo McCarthy, founder of McCarthy Masons. Our story begins in Wisconsin, where my husband Steve grew up on a family farm that has been in his family since 1848. From an early age, he learned the value of hard work, respecting the land, caring for animals, and living in simple, honest ways.

When we became parents to twin boys, we quickly discovered just how sensitive skin can be. Many everyday products — soaps, lotions, even diaper creams — caused irritation and reactions. That experience taught us an important lesson: the simplest ingredients are often the best.

That lesson became even more personal when I developed eczema during a cold Wisconsin winter. Prescriptions and conventional creams didn’t bring relief, but returning to traditional, time-tested ingredients like tallow made a real difference for my skin.

That’s what inspired McCarthy Masons.

Tallow is incredible for skincare because it closely matches the natural fats found in healthy skin. It absorbs easily, deeply nourishes, and leaves skin feeling soft, balanced, and supported. We blend it with gentle botanicals like calendula, chamomile, and lavender, and sometimes incorporate functional actives such as hyaluronic acid or retinaldehyde, creating products that are both effective and uncomplicated.

Everything we make — from balms and creams to soaps — is handcrafted in small batches with care, intention, and respect for every ingredient. Our goal is simple: thoughtful, traditional skincare you can truly trust.