It's making waves right now, and if you're anything like me, you've probably been curious to try it out. But here's the thing… with all the hype around it, you might think you already know what to expect. Spoiler alert: it's not what you thought. It's actually better.

Tallow isn't just some old-fashioned fat or an ingredient stuck in the past.

It's deeply nourishing and incredibly versatile, and it's quietly revolutionising how we think about skincare, haircare, and even cooking. If you're into clean beauty, holistic wellness, or sustainable living, tallow offers a whole lot more than meets the eye.

Despite the modern-day preference for plant oils (with some amazing, pure and non-toxic options), tallow offers unique benefits that make it worth reconsidering, especially for people with sensitive, dry, or damaged skin and hair.

What is Tallow?

Tallow is 100% pure rendered animal fat (typically beef), derived from the suet (fat around the kidneys). The tallow we stock is from cattle raised on natural pastures. When sourced from grass-fed and free-range animals (like the ones we stock), it's not only rich in nutrients but also produced with a significantly smaller environmental footprint compared to industrial animal agriculture.

Remember to always choose tallow from trusted suppliers to ensure quality and sustainability. If you buy it from the right source, like us, there are no added preservatives, stabilisers, or fillers, just 100% pure rendered beef fat.

The rendering process is gentle and preserves its nourishing qualities. Thus, making it fabulous for both culinary and beauty applications. This dual-purpose nature positions tallow as a truly holistic product, bridging the realm of wellness and sustainable living.

Well, how does it look? It is typically creamy white to pale yellow, depending on the animal's diet and rendering process. Grass-fed beef tallow often has a slightly more golden hue due to higher beta-carotene content.

At room temperature, tallow is firm yet spreadable, similar to coconut oil or shea butter. It holds its shape in jars or tins but softens easily with body heat.

When warmed, tallow becomes a clear, golden liquid. It quickly liquefies in the hands or when slightly heated.

Traditional Uses of Tallow

Tallow has a long and rich history as a multifunctional fat used by various cultures worldwide for practical and medicinal purposes. Before modern cosmetics and processed cooking oils, it was a staple ingredient due to its availability, stability, and nourishing properties. It was used in…

1. Skincare and Healing

• Used as a base for healing balms and ointments to treat dry, cracked, or irritated skin.
• Applied to treat wounds, burns, and insect bites to promote healing and protect against infection.
• It served as a moisturiser in cold, dry climates, preventing chapping and windburn.
• Recognised for its anti-inflammatory properties, helping soothe eczema, psoriasis, and other inflammatory skin conditions.

2. Culinary Fat

• A staple cooking fat before vegetable oils, loved for its high smoke point and rich flavour.
• It is valued for its long shelf life. In today's world, it can last about 1 year at room temperature, 12-18 months refrigerated, and up to 2 years frozen. But only if stored correctly.
• Provided concentrated energy and fat-soluble vitamins critical for survival in nutrient-scarce environments.

3. Other Uses of Tallow

• Used in candle making for long-burning, clean light. Tallow candles are non-toxic and burn clean, making them environmentally friendly.
• A key ingredient in traditional soap production, creating hard, moisturising soaps.
• Applied to leather goods for conditioning and preservation.

These traditional uses highlight tallow's versatility and role as both a nourishing fat and a natural healer, qualities that continue to make it relevant today.

It brings about exciting new possibilities, which are definitely worth exploring!

What Tallow is Best?

Of course, the tallow, which is sustainable and responsibly sourced, is best!

Why? Well, choosing tallow from grass-fed, free-range, locally raised cattle supports:

• Sustainable agriculture: Grass-fed livestock farming promotes healthier soils, better carbon sequestration, and biodiversity compared to grain-fed, factory farmed operations.
• Waste reduction: Tallow is a valuable byproduct of meat production, turning fat that might otherwise be discarded into a useful, nutrient-rich resource. When used as a byproduct from ethically raised, grass-fed cattle, tallow can be a more sustainable option than many industrially produced oils or single-use animal products.
• Local sourcing: Supporting local farmers reduces carbon emissions associated with transport and promotes community resilience.

In contrast to some plant-based oils that contribute to deforestation (e.g., palm oil) or require extensive water and pesticide use, tallow offers a renewable, biodegradable, and minimal-waste alternative in beauty and personal care and cooking.

What is Tallow Made Up Of?

Tallow's unique blend of saturated and monounsaturated fats closely mimics human skin's natural sebum, making it incredibly skin-compatible and easily absorbed. If you have acne-prone, sensitive skin like mine, you would be pleased to know that it is generally considered non-comedogenic. Meaning, tallow does not clog pores and cause breakouts. But we'll explore more of this further on in the article.

Key components include:

• Oleic acid: A monounsaturated fat that hydrates and softens skin.
• Palmitic and stearic acids: Saturated fats that strengthen the skin barrier and provide a protective occlusive layer.
• Linoleic acid: An essential fatty acid important for skin regeneration.
• Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA): Linked to anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
• Fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K which support skin repair, immunity, and elasticity.
• When consumed, as part of a rich whole-food diet, the fatty acids in tallow can also support brain health.

These compounds also contribute to tallow's natural oxidative stability, meaning it resists rancidity and maintains effectiveness over time.

How to Use Tallow in Cooking

As we've touched on before, tallow is just as amazing in the kitchen:

• It has a high smoke point (~215°C), making it lovely for high-heat frying, roasting, sautéing, and even baking.
• Rich in stable saturated fats, tallow withstands cooking without breaking down into harmful free radicals.
• Its nutrient density supports hormonal balance, gut health, and satiety. These qualities are appreciated by those who follow keto, carnivore and paleo-friendly diets.
• It adds depth of flavour and nourishing fats to dishes, enhancing overall meal quality.

In Cooking

• Scoop or spoon the desired amount into your pan for frying, roasting, or baking.
• Use in pastry dough for a flaky texture and rich flavour.
• Substitute other cooking fats to increase nutrient density.

How to Use Tallow in Skincare and Haircare

Due to its similarity to our skin's natural oils, tallow nourishes without clogging pores, making it suitable for dry, sensitive, and acne-prone skin. Its rich fatty acid and vitamin content helps repair damage, soothe inflammation, and lock in moisture.

If you've read our article "The Truth About Coconut Oil," you'll know that coconut oil isn't suitable for everyone. If your skin is prone to irritation or breakouts from coconut oil, or if you have a coconut allergy, you can feel confident knowing that tallow is a great alternative.

As previously stated, tallow is a beloved ingredient in traditional balms, ointments, and salves for its ability to deeply moisturise and protect. It enhances the penetration of other beneficial ingredients, amplifying the effectiveness of DIY formulas.

In Skincare

• Gently melt tallow and blend it into your homemade balms, soaps, or moisturisers.
• Apply directly as a natural emollient to dry, cracked, or irritated skin.
• Use as a scalp treatment to soothe dryness and promote hair health.
• Or keep reading to learn how to make our DIY dual-purpose Tallow-based balm.

In Haircare

Tallow's rich lipids help condition the scalp and hair, combating dryness, flakiness, and brittleness. Its natural emollient properties smooth the hair cuticle, reducing frizz and enhancing shine.

If you've been struggling with dry scalp and split ends this winter, you have to try our DIY tallow treatment below. The treatment helps to seal split ends temporarily, protects against further splitting, and improves the health of new growth, making your ends smoother, softer, and less prone to damage over time. Also, treating your scalp to some much-needed nourishment.