Beef Tallow for Face: How to Use It in 5 Steps (Without Clogged Pores)

To use beef tallow on your face, patch test it on your inner arm for 24 hours first. If there is no rash or reaction, then warm a pea-sized amount between your fingertips and apply it to clean, slightly damp skin, starting at night. Use less than you think you need and give it a full month before you judge the results. And no, grass-fed tallow does not clog pores. It is the most common worry we hear, and we have yet to see it happen with a customer. Beef tallow is one of the simplest, most nourishing face moisturizers you can use.

Below are the five steps we give every customer, why tallow works with your pores instead of against them, and how to choose the right balm for your skin.

In this article

• What does beef tallow do for your face?
• How do you use beef tallow on your face? (5 steps)
• Does beef tallow clog pores on your face?
• How long does it take to see results?
• What is the best beef tallow for your face?
• FAQ

What does beef tallow do for your face?

Beef tallow is rendered fat from cattle, and it works as a moisturizer because it is built from the same kinds of fats your skin already makes. Human sebum (the oil your skin produces) is mostly triglycerides and fatty acids, with wax esters and squalene making up the rest (Picardo et al., 2009). Tallow is almost entirely triglycerides, and its two most abundant fatty acids, oleic and palmitic acid, are also major fatty acids in human sebum.

Fatty acid in tallow	Typical share	What it does for skin
Oleic acid	About 36%	Softens and helps the balm melt into skin
Palmitic acid	About 25%	A saturated fat found naturally in sebum
Stearic acid	About 19%	Gives tallow its rich texture and helps seal in moisture
Palmitoleic + myristic	About 4% each	Minor fats that round out the skin-like profile

The Weston A. Price Foundation points out that tallow is roughly 50 to 55 percent saturated fat, with most of the rest monounsaturated, a balance close to that of our own cell membranes. It also carries the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K that plant oils lack. They are not in abundance as some would claim, but they are present in small quantities and helpful to repair your skin.

Grass-fed animals matter here: a review in the Nutrition Journal found that beef from grass-fed cattle had about 7 times more beta-carotene, roughly 3 times more vitamin E and 2 to 3 times more CLA than grain-fed beef (Daley et al., 2010).

For the full science, see our guide Is Beef Tallow Good for Your Skin? This post is about putting it to work on your face.

Grass-fed tallow carries fats and fat-soluble vitamins that are similar to the ones in your skin's own oils.

How do you use beef tallow on your face? (5 steps)

Step 1: Patch test for 24 hours

Before tallow goes on your face, try it somewhere less visible. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends applying a new product to a quarter-sized spot on the inside of your arm or the bend of your elbow, twice a day for 7 to 10 days. We think that is way too long and you should know within 24 hours of doing the patch test. No redness, itching or swelling? You are clear to move to your face. If you have sensitive skin, test the unscented version first, since essential oils are the most common cause of reactions.

Step 2: Cleanse gently and leave your skin slightly damp

Wash with a mild cleanser and pat your face partly dry, leaving it a little damp. The AAD notes that moisturizer is most effective when applied right after washing. Tallow is a fat, so it does not add water to your skin. It locks in the water that is already there, and damp skin also helps the balm spread thinly.

Step 3: Warm a pea-sized amount between your fingertips

Scoop out a pea-sized amount and rub your fingertips together for a few seconds until it melts a bit. Our balm is not whipped, so it is more concentrated than the fluffy versions, and a 2 oz jar lasts most people 4 to 6 weeks. If your face feels greasy 20 minutes later, you used too much.

Step 4: Start at night, then decide about mornings

Use tallow only at night for the first week or two. Your skin gets eight hours to absorb it, and you can see how your face responds before adding a morning layer. If you do use it in the morning, wait 5 to 10 minutes before makeup and keep the layer thin. Tallow is not a sunscreen, so keep using SPF during the day.

Applied to damp skin, tallow seals in the water that is already there.

Does beef tallow clog pores on your face?

No. Grass-fed beef tallow does not clog pores. This is the question dermatology sites love to raise, but we have never seen it happen in practice, and we have served many customers with our tallow balm. Here is why tallow works with your pores instead of against them:

• It matches your skin's own oil. Tallow is built from the same kinds of fats your sebum is made of, so your skin recognizes it and absorbs it instead of treating it as a foreign film.
• It sits low on the comedogenic scale. Grass-fed tallow rates around 2 out of 5, well below many popular plant oils and butters.
• Used thin, it absorbs instead of sitting on top. A pea-sized amount pressed into clean skin sinks in within minutes, which is why we stress using less than you think you need.

Oily and acne-prone skin are no exception. I (Ben) have very oily skin, and tallow seems to balance it, so my skin produces less oil and feels more "normal." I also fought acne for years and tried the harsh dermatologist route first. Switching to tallow was the thing that finally cleared it. We hear the same from customers who struggled with breakouts for years: not only did tallow not clog their pores, their skin calmed down.

The Cleveland Clinic rightly notes that clinical research on tallow is still thin and that tallow is not a replacement for medical acne treatment. But we have not had a customer complain about clogged pores yet. It has been just the opposite. The best way to see how your own skin responds is to patch test first and start slow, as in Step 1 above. For more, see the pores section of our guide Is Beef Tallow Good for Your Skin?

How long does it take to see results?

Most people notice softer, less tight skin within the first few days, because tallow cuts down on water loss right away. It's locking in all that moisture and rebuilding your natural skin barrier. Changes in texture and overall glow take longer. Give it a full month of consistent nightly use, since your skin needs several weeks to replace its surface layer.

What is the best beef tallow for your face?

The best beef tallow for your face is a pure, grass-fed option with a short ingredient list and no fillers. Here is how we match our balms to different skin:

• Sensitive, reactive or breakout-prone skin: Standard Tallow Balm in Unscented. Just grass-fed tallow and organic olive oil.
• Normal or dry skin that likes a scent: Standard in Vanilla, Citrus, Lavender or Woods.
• Very dry, flaky or wind-chapped patches: Nourish, which adds emu oil for extra richness and extra vitamins A, D, E, and K for deep repair work.
• Mature skin, fine lines or uneven texture: Sapphire, our most luxurious blend.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use beef tallow on my face every day?

Yes. Once your patch test is clear and your skin has adjusted for a week or two at night, most people use tallow every day, either once at night or morning and night. Keep the layer thin and cut back if your skin feels greasy.

Is it OK to put beef tallow under my eyes?

Yes, in a very small amount. Dab a tiny bit along the orbital bone with your ring finger and keep it away from your lash line so it does not migrate into your eyes. Unscented is the safest choice for this area.

Can I wear makeup over beef tallow?

Yes. Apply a thin layer, wait 5 to 10 minutes for it to absorb, then apply makeup as usual. If foundation slides, use less tallow in the morning and save the richer layer for night.

Should I put tallow on my face in the morning or at night?

Start at night. Your skin has hours to absorb it, and you can see how your face responds. Add a thin morning layer later if your skin wants more moisture, especially in winter.

Does beef tallow work as a sunscreen?

No. Tallow has no tested SPF and should not replace sunscreen. Use it as your moisturizer and keep wearing sun protection during the day.

Will beef tallow make oily skin worse?

No. Many people with oily skin find tallow helps balance it. I (Ben) have very oily skin, and since switching to tallow my skin produces less oil. Use a smaller amount if you need to. As with any new product, stop if you notice itching, redness or swelling.

Related reading: Beef Tallow for Eczema: What It Actually Does for Your Skin

This article is for general education and is not medical advice. If you have a skin condition, talk with your healthcare provider before changing your routine.