At Tallow You, we’ve always believed in keeping skincare simple, natural, affordable and effective. Our beef tallow balm has become a favorite because it does exactly that. Deeply nourishing your skin without unnecessary fillers.
But lately, there’s been a growing buzz around lamb tallow. Some people are wondering: Is lamb tallow better than beef tallow? Is it worth the higher price? And what makes them different in the first place?
Let’s take a closer look at what they share, what sets them apart, and why lamb tallow might just become your next skincare upgrade.
What Beef and Lamb Tallow Have in Common
Both beef and lamb tallow are made by slowly rendering down animal fat (for skincare usually the suet, which is the fat around the kidneys, any other fat we recommended for cooking only). The result is a smooth, stable fat that’s been used for thousands of years.
Here’s what both types of tallow bring to the table
-Skin-friendly fats like oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids that mimic human sebum (your skin’s natural oil).
-Fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, which support your skin health and repair.
-A low comedogenic rating (around 2), meaning they’re unlikely to clog pores and are generally well-tolerated.
-Ancestral credibility: people have been using tallow as a balm for centuries, long before synthetic creams came along.
So no matter which one you choose, you’re already giving your skin something far more natural and compatible than a bottle of petroleum jelly or a seed oil-based cream.
Beef Tallow: The Classic Skincare Staple
Beef tallow has been our go-to ingredient since day one, and for good reason. It’s rich, protective, and incredibly versatile.
Key Traits of Beef Tallow for Skin:
-Higher in palmitic and stearic acid: These fatty acids strengthen your skin barrier and create a protective shield, Locking in moisture.
-Great for rough or dry patches: It’s particularly helpful for elbows, heels, hands, and areas that need heavy-duty moisture.
-Cold-weather champion: That protective layer is perfect for shielding your skin against winter winds or dry indoor heating.
It’s also naturally loaded with fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K), which support overall skin health. Which is why so many people love it as night creams or protective balms.
Lamb Tallow: The Delicate, Lighter Option
Lamb tallow shares all the nourishing benefits of beef, but its fatty acid profile gives it a slightly different character. It has more oleic acid (the same moisturizing fat found in olive oil) and often a touch more vitamin E.
Key Traits of Lamb Tallow for Skin:
-Fast absorption: It melts quickly and disappears into the skin within minutes, leaving only softness behind.
-Silky feel: The texture is lighter and smoother — people often describe it as “luxurious” or “buttery.”
-Neutral scent: When properly rendered, lamb tallow is nearly odorless, making it ideal for face care or for people sensitive to smells.
-Gentle on sensitive skin: Its lighter, quicker-absorbing nature makes it especially appealing for facial skincare and those prone to redness or irritation.
Think of lamb tallow balm as the silk dress to beef tallow’s warm winter coat — both wonderful, just suited to different occasions.
Which One Is Right for You?
Here’s a simple way to look at it:
-Choose beef tallow if you want a rich, protective balm that excels on very dry or rough skin, or if you’re looking for an affordable, everyday natural moisturizer.
-Choose lamb tallow if you want something lighter, faster-absorbing, with a more refined texture, especially for facial skincare or as a premium indulgence.
Both are fantastic. It just depends on what your skin (and your preferences) are asking for.
The Scarcity Factor
While quality, local, skincare grade beef tallow is hard to find (trust us, this is why we are often out of stock), lamb tallow skincare is on a whole other level. Lamb tallow is produced in much smaller quantities. It’s harder to find, costs significantly more, and is typically only made in small batches, often taking a long time to arrive. And, until now, fewer people know about it!
That scarcity combined with its silky texture and near odourlessness makes lamb tallow balms feel like the artisan edition of tallow skincare.
What’s Next for Tallow You?
Our beef tallow balm will always be the foundation of what we do. It’s affordable, effective, and rooted in the same traditions that first inspired us.
But… we’re also experimenting. 👀
It’s not ready just yet, but keep your eyes peeled. If beef tallow balm is the product that got you hooked, lamb tallow balm might just be the upgrade your skincare routine has been waiting for.
Final Thoughts
Beef or lamb, protective or silky, both tallows deliver what modern skincare often promises but rarely achieves: simple, natural nourishment that your skin actually understands.
The question isn’t so much which is better? but rather which is right for you?
Some people might prefer beef tallow in winter or as a night cream but lamb tallow all other times.
And maybe soon, you'll be able to choose.