Why Tallow Is Gaining Popularity in Natural Skincare

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It sounds unlikely at first. Beef fat? On your face? But tallow, the rendered fat from cattle, is quietly becoming one of the most buzzed-about ingredients in natural skincare. Once dismissed as old-fashioned or too heavy, tallow is making a surprising comeback – and not just among DIY wellness influencers. Skincare brands from niche artisans to indie clean beauty labels are bringing tallow-based creams, balms, and soaps back into the spotlight. And customers are buying in.

So, what’s driving this renewed obsession with tallow? Here’s a look at how it works, why it’s trending, and whether this old-world remedy deserves a permanent place in modern skincare routines.

What Exactly Is Tallow?

Tallow is a form of rendered animal fat, typically from cows or sheep. When heated slowly, the fat separates from connective tissue and is purified into a stable, shelf-friendly solid. It has a creamy, balm-like consistency and a naturally mild scent. In skincare, tallow is prized for its richness in saturated fats, vitamins A, D, E, and K, and fatty acids that closely resemble those found in human skin.

Before the rise of petroleum-based lotions and mass-market moisturizers in the 20th century, tallow was a go-to for treating dry, cracked skin. Generations used it in homemade salves and soaps. Now, after decades of decline, it’s finding new fans among consumers hungry for simple, recognizable ingredients.

Why Are People Turning Back to Tallow Now?

There’s a growing appetite for skincare that’s transparent, minimal, and naturally derived. People are reading ingredient labels more carefully. They’re asking hard questions about supply chains. They’re also getting wary of synthetic emulsifiers and petroleum derivatives hiding in their “clean” moisturizers.

Tallow checks several boxes. It’s single ingredient. It’s nutrient dense. It’s biodegradable. And when sourced from grass-fed animals, it aligns with regenerative agriculture principles, which prioritize soil health, animal welfare, and environmental stewardship.

There’s also a practical reason behind its rise: it works. Tallow is extremely compatible with human skin. It absorbs easily, locks in moisture without clogging pores, and helps restore compromised skin barriers. For those with dry, flaky, sensitive, or eczema-prone skin, tallow can be a game-changer.

Isn’t It Just Animal Grease? How Does It Help the Skin?

Here’s what makes tallow unique: its composition is remarkably close to the natural sebum produced by human skin. That means it moisturizes in a way your body recognizes. The fat-soluble vitamins it contains—especially vitamin A—support cell regeneration, collagen production, and skin repair. Unlike plant oils, which can vary widely in their fatty acid profiles and oxidation risks, tallow is highly stable and doesn’t go rancid quickly.

Its saturated fats (like palmitic and stearic acid) help create a protective layer on the skin, sealing in hydration. Stearic acid, in particular, supports skin structure and has mild cleansing properties. Palmitic acid is known for its smoothing and softening effects.

Also worth noting tallow contains conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which has been studied for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. That’s part of why some users report that tallow balms help reduce acne flare-ups and soothe irritated skin.

Who’s Using Tallow and What Are They Saying?

Search #tallowskincare on Instagram or TikTok and you’ll find a wide range of users swearing by it—from holistic moms and farmers to beauty minimalists and zero-waste advocates. Many say tallow helped them heal stubborn skin issues like perioral dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis when nothing else worked.

Tallow is also gaining traction in men’s grooming. Its richness makes it ideal for aftershave balms, beard care, and dry patches. And in the postpartum space, mothers are turning to tallow for everything from stretch marks to baby care, citing its purity and gentleness.

The tone of the conversation around tallow isn’t hype-driven—it’s practical. It’s less about glow and more about resilience. Users talk about how their skin feels protected, nourished, and calm. They also talk about how little they need: a pea-sized amount often covers the whole face.

Is Tallow Ethical?

This is where opinions diverge. For some, the idea of using animal fat in skincare raises ethical red flags. But proponents argue that using tallow is actually a sustainable practice when done thoughtfully. It repurposes a byproduct that would otherwise go to waste. When sourced from pasture-raised, grass-fed animals, it supports ethical farming practices and reduces environmental harm compared to synthetic or heavily processed plant-based ingredients.

That said, tallow is not vegan. And it’s not marketed as such. Instead, it appeals to people who eat animal products, value nose-to-tail living, or are part of ancestral health movements. The focus is on full-circle resource use—not throwaway convenience.

How Is Tallow Used in Skincare Products?

Most tallow-based skincare products are simple. You’ll see formulations like:

• 100% grass-fed tallow whipped with a touch of olive or jojoba oil
• Balms infused with essential oils like lavender, frankincense, or chamomile
• Tallow soaps, often combined with coconut oil or shea butter
• Rich night creams or all-over body butters

Tallow is best used in products that stay on the skin—moisturizers, balms, masks—not necessarily in toners or serums. Because it’s thick and protective, it’s often applied at night or after cleansing to seal in hydration. Some prefer to mix it with a facial oil or hydrosol to thin out the texture.

Are There Downsides to Using Tallow?

It’s not for everyone. Tallow can feel heavy, especially for those with oily or acne-prone skin. Though it’s non-comedogenic for many, reactions vary depending on how it’s rendered and combined with other ingredients. Poorly made tallow can have a strong odor or contain impurities. And since it’s animal-derived, it may carry allergens for sensitive users.

There’s also the sourcing challenge. Not all tallow is equal. Grass-fed, pasture-raised, well-rendered tallow is ideal—but harder to come by. Lower quality tallow may be stripped of nutrients or processed with chemicals.

Anyone trying tallow for the first time should spot-test a small amount, especially if prone to skin sensitivities.

What Do Dermatologists Say About Tallow?

Most dermatologists remain cautious. There’s not a large body of modern clinical research on tallow’s skincare effects, likely because it fell out of mainstream use for decades. And because it’s an animal product, it hasn’t been studied as widely as botanical alternatives.

However, some holistic or integrative dermatologists are open to its use, especially for repairing dry, damaged, or barrier-compromised skin. They see it as a natural occlusive and emollient, similar in function to lanolin or petrolatum, but potentially more nourishing due to its vitamin profile.

Mainstream dermatologists are more likely to recommend ceramides, squalane, or hyaluronic acid, simply because those ingredients have robust clinical backing. But tallow is carving out a niche outside the dermatologist’s office—in wellness communities and natural skincare circles.

Is It Just a Trend or Here to Stay?

There’s no denying that tallow is trending, but it’s more than a passing fad. It taps into several long-term consumer shifts: ingredient minimalism, sustainability, skin barrier repair, and ancestral wellness. It also intersects with the growing distrust of synthetic ingredients and greenwashed marketing.

Like any “rediscovered” ingredient, its future depends on how it’s marketed and used. Brands that prioritize quality sourcing, transparency, and education will likely have staying power. If tallow gets over-commercialized or misrepresented as a cure-all, it could backfire.

But as of now, the buzz seems grounded in user experience, not empty claims.

What Are Some Popular Tallow-Based Skincare Brands?

Here are a few of the most talked-about names in the tallow space:

Vintage Tradition – One of the original pioneers of modern tallow skincare. They offer a range of whipped tallow balms with essential oils. Many customers use it for everything from face moisturizing to lip balm to baby care. Available at https://www.vintagetradition.com

Toups & Co Organics – This family-run brand blends tallow with essential oils and organic plant oils for clean skincare that’s luxurious but minimal. Their tallow balm and tallow deodorants are especially popular. Available at https://toupsandco.com

The Koselig Co. – Known for their small-batch, minimalist tallow-based moisturizers and soaps. Their branding leans toward cozy, Scandinavian simplicity. Available at https://thekoseligco.com

Bear Tallow – Leans heavily into ancestral health and homesteading culture. Their unscented balm is a hit with sensitive users. Available at https://www.beartallow.com

Golden Hour Skincare – A newer brand that blends tallow with botanicals for a more modern twist. Available on Etsy and direct through their site: https://goldenhourskincare.com

FAQs

Is tallow safe for facial use?
Yes, when properly rendered and purified, tallow is safe for facial skin. Its structure mimics human sebum and can help restore moisture and barrier function. But quality and formulation matter—look for grass-fed, unscented tallow if you’re new to it.

Will tallow clog my pores?
Tallow is considered non-comedogenic for most people. Its fatty acid profile is similar to skin’s natural oils. However, individual responses vary, especially if you already have oily or acne-prone skin. Start with a patch test and use sparingly.

Does tallow smell bad?
Good-quality tallow should have only a faint, neutral scent. Poorly rendered tallow can smell meaty or greasy. Many brands blend it with essential oils or mild botanicals to mask any odor.

Is tallow vegan or cruelty-free?
Tallow is not vegan, as it’s derived from animal fat. However, when sourced from ethical, pasture-raised farms, it can align with some consumers’ values around sustainability and humane treatment. If animal-based ingredients are a no-go for you, this isn’t the right fit.

Can I make tallow skincare at home?
Yes. Rendering tallow at home is straightforward, but it takes time. Many DIYers combine it with oils like jojoba or olive and essential oils for custom balms. Just be sure your tallow is clean, grass-fed, and properly filtered to avoid contamination or odor.