You either love it or hate it, but there’s no denying that tallow lotion is the new “it girl” in skincare. And since the benefits of tallow products speak for themselves, we predict the hype is here to stay.
Using beef tallow to nourish your face and body is a little unconventional, though. If you’ve never used tallow skincare, you may have questions (and hesitations). But as self-proclaimed tallow experts, we can confidently say that your skin will never look or feel better than it does with tallow products.
What Is Tallow Lotion?
Tallow lotion is an ancestral product with a modern feel. It existed long before the chemicals that now hide in our lotion products. And it nourished our great-grandparents through difficult farm work, prairie migrations, and everyday life.
Even without scientific studies and modern resources, our ancestors learned how to meet their needs through trial and error. And some of the products they created are arguably better than the ones we use today.
So … how did they get tallow lotion? Tallow is the hard, fatty tissue that surrounds a cow’s kidney and loin area. When grass-fed, tallow contains a rich profile of fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins — the same compounds that are synthetically added to conventional lotion products today. Except, tallow is naturally occurring and more bioavailable than synthetic products.
Our ancestors used tallow skincare for two main reasons: it cuts down on waste and it’s extremely effective. High-quality tallow is almost bioidentical to our own skin. So when we apply it to cuts, scrapes, and rashes, it quickly soothes and restores the skin with vital nutrients. To make high-quality tallow lotion, we recommend dry rendering the tallow and only using beef that’s 100% grass-fed, grass-finished and regenerative.
Tallow Lotion vs. Drugstore Lotion
It shouldn’t take special skills or knowledge to pick out a lotion that’s healthy for your skin. Unfortunately, there’s very little accountability for body products today, and it does take a little detective work to uncover healthy products.
Chemicals are considered a “normal” alternative to beef fat, even though they aren’t naturally occurring. And brands that claim to be nontoxic hide parabens and hormone disruptors with greenwashing and confusing labels.
Drugstore Lotion
Let’s break down the ingredient label of a typical lotion bottle. Most brands start with a base of water, oil, and chemical emulsifiers. Then, they add preservatives and chemical fillers to cheapen production. Lastly, you may notice a sprinkling of healthy ingredients like shea butter, aloe, or cocoa butter listed near the end of the label. These whole ingredients are usually front and center in the lotion’s marketing, but only make up a tiny percentage of the actual product.
Tallow Lotion
Ideally, tallow lotion is whole-food skincare. It’s made with ingredients that are unfractionated and safe enough to eat. Typical tallow lotions contain just three ingredients: grass-fed tallow, cold-pressed olive oil, and essential oils.
Some brands may include raw honey, beeswax, emu oil, and other whole-food ingredients for added benefits. But tallow on its own doesn’t need a lot of added ingredients in order to promote healthy results. Grass-fed tallow contains anti-inflammatory fatty acids, fat-soluble vitamins, and minerals to promote glowing skin.
Which Is Better?
Many of us simply don’t know what it’s like to live without drugstore lotion products. They’re easy to find on grocery store shelves, and they’re all we’ve ever known.
But does that make them the safest and most effective option?
As a natural skincare brand, we have the honor of introducing everyday people to ancestral products. They almost always work better than drugstore brands and nourish the skin from the inside out (meaning, you need less product over time).
There are simply better options than chemically manipulated products that disrupt and dry out your skin barrier. Not to mention their questionable impact on hormone health.
The Benefits of Tallow Lotion
Without any added ingredients, grass-fed tallow is one of the best things you can put on your skin. It helps to…
- Naturally increase collagen production
- Support graceful aging with non-synthetic vitamin A
- Calm redness with anti-inflammatory fatty acids
- Support cellular turnover
- Lock in hydration and essential minerals
- Offer gentle sun protection
- Naturally alleviate acne (with antibacterial properties)
- Calm skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis (it’s almost bioidentical to our skin)
Tallow skincare often includes high-quality essential oils for added botanical benefits. It’s usually whipped to a lotion-like texture with cold-pressed olive oil — and it smells nothing like beef when it’s properly rendered (we promise).
How to Use Tallow Lotion
To use tallow lotion, scoop out a pea-sized amount and apply to problem areas. It’s always recommended to apply tallow to clean skin (ideally, after a shower). You can put tallow lotion on your face, elbows, knees, or anywhere you experience regular dryness.
Since tallow lotion doesn’t contain fillers or preservatives, a little goes a long way. Each ingredient intentionally supports healthy skin, and the product is rich and creamy. A small two-ounce jar of tallow lotion can last almost as long as a regular lotion bottle (depending on how often you use it).
When to Use Tallow Lotion
We consider tallow lotion to be an everyday product. It can replace your moisturizer, lotion, and even help with wound healing (spread a little bit under a band-aid). That said, there are a few occasions where tallow lotion is especially helpful…
Tallow Lotion for Eczema
Tallow is one of the best natural remedies for eczema. It contains high levels of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), an omega-3 fatty acid that’s naturally anti-inflammatory. Not only does it soothe active eczema, it helps broken skin rebuild with fatty acids, fat-soluble vitamins, and minerals. Tallow is almost bioidentical to human skin, and contains many components that are naturally found in our sebum.
Tallow Lotion as Moisturizer for Dry Skin
Lipids, fatty acids, and vitamins combine for one of the best facial moisturizers on the market — and it’s all because of one ingredient. Tallow is a centuries-old moisturizer, used for everything from cracked heels to a dry face. Since it contains natural vitamin A, it can also reduce signs of aging.
Tallow Lotion for Nontoxic Scent
We have a particular beef with drugstore lotion: the fragrances. Many brands that claim to be nontoxic include “fragrance” as the third ingredient on their list. If you don’t know, “fragrance” is an umbrella term that could include over 3,000 different chemical ingredients (including parabens and other hormone disruptors). Conventional fragrance is also one of the biggest triggers for allergies and skin sensitivities.
Right now, tallow lotion remains a relatively holistic product. Most tallow brands today use gentle essential oils or natural herbs to lightly scent their products. Meaning, tallow products are (for the most part) delightfully scented with safe ingredients.
Tallow Lotion for Acne
Tallow lotion is a powerful natural remedy for acne. Between the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, it can help keep new breakouts at bay. Components like vitamin A and antioxidants can work to reverse scarring and redness that commonly accompany acne breakouts.
When using tallow for acne, always start with a small amount (less than a pea size) and apply to your face. You can also use tallow mixed with beeswax for a more gentle and skin-supportive approach.
Tallow Lotion for Aging Skin
We include tallow lotion in almost every skincare routine, especially for women above 30. You should apply your bakuchiol anti-aging serum first and then follow up with tallow lotion as your facial moisturizer. The fatty acids, anti-inflammatory components, and natural vitamin A should help support cell turnover, collagen production, and glowing skin.
The Skincare of the Past Is Becoming the Skincare of the Future
As we say in Alabama, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” The problem with skincare is that we’ve spent years trying to “fix it.” We’re quick to buy new formulas and infuse healthy products with chemicals that are supposed to change our skin for the better.
But they never work as well as the original remedy.
All this time, our ancestors were pointing us to tallow skincare that’s been tried-and-true for generations. Not to mention, it’s also low waste and incredibly nourishing. When we go back to the roots of nutrient-dense and nontoxic skincare, we truly experience results.