Tallow is one of those ingredients that sounds strange until you understand what it is and why it works. It was a staple in mainstream skincare right up until the 20th century, not because there was nothing else available, but because it worked. The big beauty brands moved away from it in favour of cheaper, mass-produced synthetic alternatives, and it quietly disappeared from ingredient labels. It is now making a comeback, and here is what you need to know.

What is tallow?

Tallow is a natural fat rendered from beef suet. It has been used in skincare for centuries, long before the modern cosmetics industry existed. It was a staple in mainstream soaps and moisturisers right up until the 20th century, when the industry shifted towards cheaper, mass-produced synthetic alternatives. Those alternatives became the standard, and tallow quietly disappeared from ingredient labels.

Is tallow good for your skin?

Because beef tallow is naturally rich in oleic and palmitic acids, as well as vitamins A, D, E and K, the skin recognises it and readily absorbs it. Vitamin A supports skin cell turnover, vitamin D supports the skin's barrier function, vitamin E helps shield the skin from free radical damage, and vitamin K can help reduce the appearance of dark circles.

Because tallow mirrors the skin's natural oils so closely, it helps replenish the fatty acids the barrier needs, making it a great moisturiser for dry and sensitive skin.

Natural tallow moisturisers to try

Tuttofare Holy Grail Tallow Balm

Great for: dry and sensitive skin

The Tuttofare Holy Grail Tallow Balm is a rich, nourishing balm for dry and sensitive skin. It's made with 100% Australian grass-fed tallow and raw cocoa butter, and has a natural warm chocolate scent. It absorbs without any greasiness and is great for both face and body.

Tuttofare Sicilian Citrus Tallow Balm

Great for: normal, oily and blemish-prone skin

The Tuttofare Sicilian Citrus Tallow Balm is a lighter option for normal, oily or blemish-prone skin. Grass-fed tallow is blended with jojoba, bisabolol and bergaptene-free citrus oils for fast-absorbing hydration with a bright, uplifting scent. It never feels heavy or congesting and is a great place to start if you are new to tallow.

Tuttofare Roman Blue Tallow Balm

Great for: sensitive and reactive skin

The Tuttofare Roman Blue Tallow Balm is perfect for sensitive or reactive skin. It's made with blue tansy and Roman chamomile, both known for their calming properties, blended with olive squalane and jojoba. It has a soft floral scent and is gentle enough for easily irritated complexions.

Thrive Tallow Vitamin C Glow Crème

Great for: dull, uneven and mature skin

The Thrive Tallow Vitamin C Glow Crème is a great option for dull, uneven or mature skin. It's formulated with Kakadu plum, a rich natural source of vitamin C, to help brighten and support collagen, with sea buckthorn and rosehip for antioxidant support and a grass-fed tallow base for deep, lasting hydration. It melts in effortlessly and leaves the complexion looking luminous.

Tuttofare Not Your Regular Body Oil

Great for: all skin types, post-shower hydration

The Tuttofare Not Your Regular Body Oil is a nutrient-dense body oil made with grass-fed tallow, buriti, olive and castor oils. Buriti is a Brazilian palm fruit oil with an exceptionally high vitamin A content. It has a natural scent of blood orange, cypress and tonka bean, and absorbs beautifully.

Thrive Tallow Body Butter

Great for: very dry skin, post-sun care and growing baby bumps

The Thrive Tallow Body Butter blends grass-fed tallow with shea butter, coconut oil and jojoba for intensive all-over hydration. It has a natural vanilla scent and is a great choice for very dry skin, dry patches, post-sun care and growing baby bumps.

Thrive Tallow Phyto-Retinol Revive Crème

Great for: a bakuchiol night cream for all skin types

The Thrive Tallow Phyto-Retinol Revive Crème is a rich night cream ideal for mature skin. This tallow moisturiser is formulated with bakuchiol to support nightly cell turnover, smooth fine lines and plump the skin, plus calming blue tansy and a grass-fed tallow and castor oil base for deep hydration throughout the night.