How to Use Tallow Balm and Body Butter (and Get It Right)

The one thing most people get wrong

Tallow is concentrated, and it behaves very differently from a light lotion. The single most common mistake is using too much. A rich tallow balm or body butter needs only a small amount, and when you use it correctly it absorbs beautifully and never feels greasy. Get the amount and timing right and everything else falls into place.

Step by step

• Start with clean skin. After a shower or bath is ideal.
• Leave skin slightly damp. A little moisture on the skin helps tallow spread and absorb rather than sitting on the surface.
• Warm a small amount. Scoop a pea size amount for the face, or a little more for the body, and rub it between your fingertips until it softens and turns oil like.
• Massage it in. Press and massage into the skin using small circular motions.
• Let it absorb. Give it a minute or two to soak in before getting dressed or applying makeup.

Face vs body

On the face, less is always more. A pea size amount covers the whole face and neck. Use it as a night treatment or a light daytime moisturizer. On the body, you can be more generous, especially on dry spots like elbows, knees, heels, and shins. Applying right after a shower, while skin is still damp, gives the best results.

Balm vs body butter vs whip

These textures suit different uses:

• Balms are the richest and most concentrated, best for very dry patches, hands, and targeted spots. Our Bear Tallow Healing Balm is a good example.
• Body butters and whips are lighter and more spreadable, made for all over use. Try the Glowmance Tallow Whip or Fae Glow Whip.

When to use it

Tallow works morning or night. Many people use a whip or body butter after a morning shower and a richer balm on dry areas before bed. Consistency matters more than timing, so pick a moment you will actually stick to.

A few tips

• If it feels heavy or greasy, use less next time. That is almost always the fix.
• Patch test a new product for a couple of days if your skin is reactive.
• In warm weather, tallow can soften or melt, which is normal. A short time in the fridge firms it back up.
• Give any new product two to three weeks of consistent use before judging results.

New to tallow?

For the bigger picture on what tallow is and who it suits, start with Tallow Skincare: What It Is and How to Use It. Ready to shop? Browse the Body collection.