How to Use Tallow Balm (and How Much)

Tallow balm is simple to use and easy to overdo. Here's the short version, plus the one mistake almost everyone makes the first week.

Less than you think

The number one mistake: using too much. Tallow is a real fat, not a water-based lotion, so a pea-sized amount covers a whole face. Scoop a little, warm it between your fingertips until it turns to oil, then press it in. If you look greasy, you used too much — scale down next time.

The basic routine

Face. Best on slightly damp skin, right after washing. Warm a small amount and press it over your face and neck. Damp skin gives the balm a little water to seal in, which is the whole point.

Hands and body. Work it into dry hands, elbows, heels, and anywhere chapped. Night is a good time — hands especially drink it up while you sleep.

Lips and spots. A dab handles chapped lips, dry cuticles, and rough patches. This is where a jar lasts forever.

When to use it

Once or twice a day is plenty for most people — morning if your skin runs dry, and at night as the last step, after anything water-based. In hard winter weather you might want more; in humid summer, less. Let your skin set the pace.

A few honest notes

• Patch-test first. New to tallow, or to us? Try a little on your inner arm for a couple of days before it goes on your face.
• Warm it. Straight from the jar it's firm. Ten seconds between your fingers turns it to oil and it spreads far better.
• Store it cool. Tallow softens in heat and firms in cold — that's normal. Keep it out of a hot car and it'll keep a long time.

That's the whole method. If you're deciding between our two balms first, here's His and Hers explained.