From low-tox lovers to TikTok influencers, everyone’s talking about tallow – and for good reason. 

If you're new to tallow-based skincare or wondering what the hype is all about, we’ve answered your biggest questions below (yes, including what it smells like). Let's learn what it is and why this ancient ingredient is making a comeback in the clean beauty industry.

1. What is tallow skincare? (+ how is it made)

Tallow, once the go-to for soaps, candles, cuts, burns, frying and even leather care, was the original multitasker long before vegetable oils and modern waxes took over. 

Tallow is simply animal fat that has been slowly heated to melt out impurities (called rendering) and then cooled into a firm, clean, shelf-stable balm. It is a byproduct of the meat industry that would otherwise go to waste, similar to how bones are used to make broth.

2. Is tallow good for your skin?

Tallow is often called a skin superfood...and for good reason:

It mimics your skin’s natural oils

Tallow’s fatty acid profile is almost identical to our skin’s natural sebum, the oil our skin produces to stay moisturised and protected. Because of this, tallow absorbs easily and helps repair and strengthen the skin barrier. 

Packed with skin-loving vitamins: A, D, E, and K

Tallow is naturally rich in bioavailable vitamins that help in cell regeneration, elasticity, and repair (no synthetic versions needed, thx). That’s why these same vitamins are often added to face creams, but your skin recognises and uses the ones in tallow more easily:

• Vitamin A acts like a natural retinol, encouraging cell turnover and healing
• Vitamin E helps protect against free radicals and supports skin repair
• Vitamin K can reduce inflammation and pigmentation
• Vitamin D boosts skin immunity and healing from within

Supercharged for repair, moisture, and barrier support

Tallow contains key fatty acids our skin needs to thrive. Stearic acid supports repair and softness. Palmitic acid helps protect the skin barrier. Oleic acid offers deep moisturisation while calming inflammation. And then lastly, there’s linoleic acid, a powerhouse omega-6 fatty acid that hydrates, plumps, soothes irritation and fades scars. Skincare brands bottle this stuff by the gram... but nature already packed it into tallow.

Tallow is a nutrient-rich, ultra-hydrating natural moisturiser that your skin recognises, absorbs, and benefits from. It strengthens the skin barrier, locks in moisture, and supports long-term skin health.

3. Is tallow good for sensitive skin?

Yes, because tallow is nearly bioidentical to human sebum, it’s extremely gentle. Think of it as a natural “liquid bandage” for sensitive, dry, or inflamed skin.

4. Is tallow good for eczema-prone skin?

Yes, tallow is rich in fatty acids that help repair the skin barrier, making it beneficial for eczema-prone skin.

People with eczema often struggle with a weakened skin barrier, making it harder to retain moisture and leaving the skin more vulnerable to irritants, allergens, and bacteria—leading to dry, itchy flare-ups. 

Beef tallow from grass-fed sources is packed with skin-supporting fatty acids that help repair and protect the skin barrier, a key concern for eczema sufferers.

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, tallow can help reduce dryness, itching, and inflammation due to its deep hydrating and anti-inflammatory properties. A 2021 study in the National Library of Medicine also found that conjugated linoleic acid (present in tallow) significantly reduced eczema-like skin lesions, dermatitis, and inflammation, making it a promising ingredient for eczema-prone skin. However, more research is needed.

You can see what it did to my skin here.

5. Does tallow clog pores?

Tallow has a comedogenic rating of 2 to 3 on a scale from 0 to 5, where 0 means it won’t clog pores at all, and 5 means it’s highly likely to clog pores. This puts tallow in the moderate range meaning it may clog pores for some people, particularly those with oily or acne-prone skin, but might also not... 

What makes tallow unique is that its fat composition closely mirrors the natural oils (sebum) our skin produces. This helps it absorb easily and deliver nutrients and moisture without behaving like more comedogenic ingredients such as coconut oil (rated 4) or lanolin (rated 4–5).

Still, because every skin type reacts differently, patch testing is always a smart move, especially if your skin is sensitive or breakout-prone.

6. Can I use tallow for acne-prone skin?

While lots of people praise tallow for its acne-fighting properties, this is a myth. Hear me out.

Tallow is ultra-moisturising but it can also trap dead skin cells, sebum, and bacteria underneath. And because acne has a delayed cycle (sometimes up to 8 weeks), your skin might look soft and hydrated at first… only to start breaking out weeks later.

That said, tallow can be great at soothing and calming redness, so it’s a great option as a post-breakout treatment. If you’re keen to give it a go, start with an unscented, grass-fed tallow balm and patch test it first.

7. What does tallow smell like? (Will I smell like cooked beef?)

Great question—and trust me, I’ve been there.

The first tallow samples I ever tried made me hesitant to ever try tallow again hahaha. As someone who’s very sensitive to scents, all I could smell was greasy BBQ. But here’s what I learned: not all tallow smells like meat, it depends on the quality of your tallow.

When it’s grass-fed and properly purified, the scent is very mild—more nutty or earthy than anything else. And to make it even better, most brands blend in essential oils like lavender, citrus, or frankincense to mask any natural scent completely.

So no, you won’t walk around smelling like a Sunday roast (unless you’re using low-quality tallow, then all bets are off).

8. Should I make tallow cream at home?

My feed is full of DIY tallow balm videos, so yes, it is definitely possible to make tallow cream at home. But just because you can, doesn’t always mean you should, especially when it comes to your skin.

According to Dr. Tan, homemade tallow can carry impurities or bacteria if it’s not rendered and stored properly, which may lead to irritation or even infection. Raw tallow also tends to be greasy, hard to apply evenly, and can spoil over time without the right preservation methods. 

On the other hand, professionally formulated tallow skincare is tested for safety, stability, and shelf life. It’s designed to be gentle, effective, and often includes extra skin-loving ingredients to improve hydration, absorption, and texture, making it a better option for sensitive, dry, or eczema-prone skin. Also... proper rendering helps reduce that lingering beefy scent, too

If you decide to make a homemade tallow balm, make sure you use a recipe that mentions some tallow skincare safety tips.

9. What should I look for in a tallow Balm?

Not all tallow skincare is created equal. Here’s what to watch for:

• 100% grass-fed Tallow
  Compared to cheaper grain-fed options, grass-fed tallow has a better balance of fatty acids and contains up to four times more vitamins and minerals.
• No fillers or synthetics
  Avoid products with cheap fillers that just bulk up the jar.
• Unscented or lightly scented
  If you have sensitive or eczema-prone skin, start with an unscented grass-fed tallow balm.

After thorough research and testing, Thrive Tallow is one of the best tallow balms in Australia. Their balms check all the boxes: crafted with clean, ethically sourced ingredients and zero junk fillers. Made from 100% grass-fed and finished tallow, it’s pure nutrient-dense goodness your skin will love. Everything your skin needs, and nothing it doesn’t.

10. Can vegans use tallow-based skincare?

Unfortunately, no. Tallow is an animal product, so it’s not vegan-friendly.
If you follow a vegan lifestyle, stick to plant-based alternatives like shea butter, jojoba oil, and cocoa butter.

11. Final thoughts: Is tallow right for you?

Tallow isn’t for everyone, we totally respect that. Whether it’s due to personal beliefs or lifestyle choices, we understand.

At Go For Zero, we’re all about natural skincare that workswith your skin, not against it. If you’re looking for a natural, effective, and low-tox solution, tallow balm is definitely worth exploring. It's a deeply hydrating, skin-repairing hero that won’t mess with your hormones and is especially beneficial for dry, cracked, sensitive, eczema-prone, or psoriasis-prone skin.

Tallow is not just a trend; it’s a time-tested ingredient, backed by science, and packed with nutrients your skin actually recognises.

Whether you’re just starting your clean beauty journey or ready to ditch the overcomplicated routines, tallow balm could be your skin’s new best friend. Want to try it for yourself? Browse our tallow balms here. All clean, Aussie-made, and gentle enough for sensitive skin.

Never hesitate to shoot us any questions too at askusanything@goforzero.com.au.

Lots of love,

Ellie x

 

Tallow Skincare FAQ's Summary

1. What is tallow skincare? (+ how is it made)
Tallow skincare uses rendered animal fat—typically from grass-fed beef—that’s purified into a clean, shelf-stable balm. It’s rich in nutrients and mimics the skin’s natural oils, making it ideal for moisture and repair.

2. Is tallow good for your skin?
Yes. Tallow closely resembles human sebum, allowing it to absorb easily and strengthen the skin barrier. It’s rich in vitamins A, D, E, and K, and contains fatty acids that support hydration, elasticity, and healing.

3. Is tallow safe for sensitive skin?
Absolutely. Tallow is bioidentical to the skin’s natural oils, making it gentle and soothing, especially for dry, inflamed, or reactive skin types.

4. Can tallow help with eczema?
Yes. Grass-fed tallow is high in fatty acids that support a healthy skin barrier. Studies show it may reduce dryness, inflammation, and eczema-like flare-ups, making it a great natural option for eczema-prone skin.

5. Can I Use Tallow for Acne-Prone Skin?

Not ideal. Tallow is occlusive and moderately comedogenic, which can clog pores and worsen acne over time. It may help calm redness post-breakout, but it isn’t suited for oily or acne-prone skin. If trying, patch-test an unscented, grass-fed balm.

6. Does tallow clog pores?
Tallow has a moderate comedogenic rating (2–3), meaning it may clog pores for some, but not all. Unlike coconut oil, it mimics skin’s own oils, helping it absorb easily. Patch testing is recommended for acne-prone skin.

7. What does tallow smell like?
High-quality, grass-fed tallow has a mild, earthy scent. When properly rendered and blended with essential oils, it doesn’t smell like meat. Low-quality versions may have a greasy or beefy smell.

8. Should I make tallow balm at home?
You can, but DIY tallow can carry impurities and spoil easily if not rendered or stored correctly. Professionally made tallow products are safer, more stable, and often enhanced with additional skin-friendly ingredients.

9. What should I look for in a good tallow balm?
Look for 100% grass-fed tallow, no synthetic fillers, and unscented or essential oil-based scents. Thrive Tallow, for example, uses clean, Aussie-made, nutrient-rich formulations ideal for sensitive skin.

10. Can vegans use tallow skincare?
No, tallow is an animal byproduct. Vegans should choose plant-based alternatives like shea butter, cocoa butter, or jojoba oil.

11. Is tallow right for me?
If you have dry, sensitive, or eczema-prone skin and want a natural, low-tox solution, tallow balm may be a great fit. It’s deeply hydrating, does not impact our hormones, and is backed by both science and tradition.

References

• https://toupsandco.com/blogs/news/beef-tallow-for-skin
• https://toupsandco.com/blogs/news/our-tallow-skincare-standard
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11719646/
• https://toupsandco.com/blogs/news/beef-tallow-for-skin
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38910727/
• https://skintypesolutions.com/blogs/skincare/beef-tallow-in-skin-care