Tallow has gone from something your grandmother kept in the kitchen to one of the biggest skincare trends of the year. As a pharmacist who makes tallow skincare, I get asked the same question almost every week: is it actually good for your face?
Here's my honest answer, including who it isn't right for.
The quick answer: For most people with dry or normal skin, beef tallow can be a rich, deeply nourishing moisturiser. It isn't the best choice for everyone. If your skin is very oily or breakout-prone, go slowly and patch test first.
👉 New to tallow? Start with our Tallow Glow Whipped Cream.
What is beef tallow?
Tallow is rendered fat from cattle. It's heated slowly and filtered until what's left is a pure, stable fat. People have used it in soaps and balms for centuries, long before modern moisturisers existed.
Why does tallow work so well on skin?
The outer layer of your skin is held together by natural fats that keep moisture in and irritants out. When that layer is weakened by cold weather, harsh cleansers or central heating, your skin feels tight, rough and thirsty.
Tallow contains many of the same types of fatty acids found in your skin's own natural oils, such as oleic, palmitic and stearic acid. That's why it tends to melt into the skin rather than sitting on top like a coating. It also naturally contains fat-soluble vitamins, including A, D, E and K, although the amounts vary.
To be honest with you: most research looks at these individual components rather than large studies on tallow itself. What we do know is that rich fats like this are excellent at sealing in moisture.
Who is tallow best for?
- Dry, tight or flaky skin. This is where tallow really shines.
- Winter skin. It's ideal when cold air and heating dry everything out.
- Easily irritated skin. Choose an unscented tallow product with a short ingredient list.
- Minimalists. One rich product can replace several.
Who should be careful?
- Very oily or acne-prone skin. Tallow is rich, and some people find it too heavy. Use a small amount at night only, and see how your skin responds.
- Vegans and vegetarians. Plant butters such as mango and shea are good alternatives. Our Blue Serenity Cleansing Balm is made with organic mango butter.
- Anyone with religious dietary requirements. Check where the tallow comes from. I explain what to look for in my guide to halal tallow skincare.
How to patch test
Apply a small amount to your inner arm or behind your ear, twice a day for a few days. If you notice redness, itching or bumps, wash it off and stop using it. I recommend patch testing any new skincare product, natural or not.
How to use tallow on your face
- Cleanse, and leave your skin very slightly damp.
- Warm a pea-sized amount between your fingertips until it melts.
- Press it gently into your skin rather than rubbing.
- Use it at night, or morning and night if your skin is very dry.
For extra glow, apply a few drops of face oil such as our Brightening Papaya Drops first, then seal it in with tallow.
Why I make ours the way I do
Every jar of Nature's Gift tallow cream is made by me, in small batches here in the UK. I use halal-sourced beef tallow and whip it for a lighter, softer texture that's easier to apply. There's no synthetic fragrance and nothing you can't pronounce.
👉 Try the Tallow Glow Whipped Cream, or Vanilla Delight if you'd like a softly scented version.
