Most people who don't love tallow at first made the same mistake: they used way too much. Tallow isn't a lotion you slather — it's a concentrate. Get the amount and the timing right and it absorbs into soft, calm skin with no greasy sheen. Get it wrong and you'll spend twenty minutes feeling like a glazed donut. Here's the whole routine, head to toe.
How to use tallow on your face (without the grease)
The trick is heat and restraint. Scoop a rice-grain-sized amount of the Whipped Tallow & Manuka Honey Moisturizer, warm it between your fingertips until it turns to oil, then press — don't rub — it into clean, slightly damp skin. Damp skin is the secret; it helps the balm spread thin and sink in. If you look shiny, you used too much. Next time, use less. Almost nobody needs more than they think.
How much to use
A little genuinely goes a long way, which is why one jar lasts. Start smaller than feels right — you can always add a touch more, but you can't take it back off without washing. For most faces, a rice-to-pea-sized amount covers everything.
Where it fits in your routine: AM vs. PM
Morning: apply to damp skin after cleansing as your last step, before sunscreen. A thin layer won't fight your day. Night: this is where tallow shines — a slightly more generous press-in after cleansing lets it work while you sleep, and you wake up softer. If you only use it once a day, make it night.
Layering with other products
Because tallow is an oil-based balm, the order is: water-based things first (toners, water-based serums), tallow last to seal them in. Oil-based balms are generally the final step. If you use sunscreen, that goes over your morning tallow. Keep it simple — the whole appeal is not needing a ten-step stack.
Beyond the face: body and dry patches
Tallow isn't just a face balm. Warm a larger amount between your palms and work it into elbows, knees, heels, and any rough, dry patches — it's especially welcome after a shower on still-damp skin. Cracked winter hands respond well too. One multipurpose jar quietly replaces several single-use products.
On your lips
A dab of the same balm works as a lip treatment — no separate product needed. Press a small amount on before bed and let it do its thing overnight.
A note on the wind-down version
If your "routine" includes actually relaxing, our Grass-Fed Tallow Magnesium Balm is a tallow base with magnesium, made as part of an evening wind-down ritual a lot of people fold into their nighttime routine.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I use tallow balm?
Once or twice daily works for most people. If you only do it once, night is the highest-impact time.
Should I apply tallow to wet or dry skin?
Slightly damp. A little moisture helps the balm spread thin and absorb instead of sitting on top.
Can I use tallow under makeup or sunscreen?
Yes — a thin morning layer works as your last skincare step, with sunscreen or makeup over the top. Use less than you would at night.
Related reading
- 12 ways to use tallow you didn't know about
- How long your tallow balm lasts
- How to store tallow the right way
New to tallow entirely? Start with the complete guide, or see how it compares to what's in your cabinet in our comparison guide. Ready to feel it? Grab a jar — Subscribe & Save 30%, 30-day money-back guarantee.
Dr. Elena Dinkollari
MD, Dermatologist & Endocrinology Assistant
Doctor Approved
