Tallow – Natural Grass-fed Beef Fat

Tallow, or beef tallow or ox white, is a traditional and natural ingredient that finds its way into the world of artisanal soaps and skin care. When derived from grass-fed cattle, tallow provides a rich source of skin-caring fatty acids, vitamins and natural lipids that are particularly suited for use in soaps, balms, creams and ointments.

What is Tallow?

Tallow is the fat extracted from the tissue around the kidneys of cattle. This fat is cleaned and slowly rendered (rendered) into a pure, odorless and stable fat. Grass-fed tallow comes from cattle that graze primarily on grass, without the use of artificial growth hormones or antibiotics. As a result, the quality and nutritional value is significantly higher than conventional beef tallow.

Benefits of Tallow in Cosmetics

• Rich in fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K) – These vitamins support skin barrier repair and stimulate cell renewal.
• Perfect fatty acid composition – The composition of tallow is very similar to that of our own skin lipids, making it excellently absorbed and non-greasy to the touch.
• Moisturizing and protective – Tallow helps retain moisture in the skin and protects against dehydration.
• Natural alternative to petroleum derivatives and synthetic oils – Ideal for those seeking pure and minimal ingredients.
• Sustainable and upcycled – A byproduct of the food industry, tallow use contributes to zero-waste formulations.

Applications in Soap and Skin Care

Tallow is a popular base fat in natural and traditional soaps. It provides:

• A hard, long-lasting soap with a fine foam texture
• Gentle cleansing without drying the skin
• A creamy, nourishing texture
• In creams, balms and body butters, tallow gives a nourishing, melting experience, ideal for dry to very dry skin.

How to Use Tallow.

• In cold process or hot process soap: use up to 40-50% as base oil
• In balms and ointments: combine with beeswax and vegetable oils
• In creams: incorporate into an emulsion as a fat phase, along with shea butter and jojoba oil, for example
• Melt before use and mix with fragrances or essential oils as desired