Skin

Tallow Balm for Aging Skin: My Simple Routine

I threw out my fragranced lotions and went back to one ingredient our grandmothers used. Here is my entire routine.

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My skin changed in my forties. It got drier, thinner and less forgiving, and the shelf of creams I owned made it worse. Most had long ingredient lists and heavy fragrance. So I simplified. Now I use two products, both made from grass-fed tallow.

Why tallow

Tallow is rendered beef fat. It has been used on skin for generations. It’s similar to the natural oils our own skin makes, which is one reason I find it comfortable. It has a short ingredient list, no fragrance and no mystery. To me, that is the point. What I put on my skin matters as much as what I eat, and I like knowing exactly what is in the jar.

My routine

Shower: tallow soap

I use Health-y Sol grass-fed tallow soap on my body. It’s gentle and doesn’t leave that tight, stripped feeling that my old body wash did.

Night: tallow balm

After washing my face with warm water, while it’s still slightly damp, I warm a pea-sized amount of Health-y Sol classic tallow balm between my fingers and press it into my face and neck. A little goes a long way. I do the backs of my hands too.

Morning

Warm water on my face, a small dab of balm on dry patches, and sunscreen-free early sunlight for a few minutes. Then I get on with my day.

What I stopped using

Fragranced body lotions.
Anything with a long list of ingredients I can’t pronounce.
Scented candles and plug-ins in the bedroom.

Skin is also about what you eat

I can’t put a balm on and ignore the rest. Protein, collagen-rich foods like bone broth, and minerals matter to me. I eat eggs and beef at breakfast, as in my high-protein breakfast, and I drink water with Salt of Life in the morning. Sleep matters too, and a magnesium ritual helps my evenings, as I explain in this post.

A few practical notes

Patch test first on your inner arm for a day.
Tallow is rich. Use less than you think.
It’s an animal product, so if that isn’t for you, it isn’t for you.

I buy these from a small shop that makes them, and these particular links are not affiliate links. I just like them. See everything else on the Pantry page.

Questions I get

What is tallow balm?

It's a skin balm made from rendered beef fat, ideally from grass-fed cattle. Mine has a very short ingredient list.

How much tallow balm should I use on my face?

A pea-sized amount, warmed between the fingers and pressed into slightly damp skin. A little goes a long way.

Can I use tallow soap on my body?

Yes. I use a grass-fed tallow bar in the shower, and it doesn't leave my skin feeling stripped.

Should I patch test first?

I always patch test on my inner arm for a day before putting anything new on my face.

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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Supplements and products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. This is my personal routine shared as education, not medical advice.