The very first time I tried whipped tallow, I did what most of us do with a new jar of something lovely: I scooped up a big, generous fingerful and slathered it all over my face. Ten minutes later I looked like a glazed donut, and I wondered if this whole tallow thing was a mistake.
It wasn't the tallow. It was the amount. If you've been wondering how much tallow to use on your face (and on the rest of you), this is the guide I wish someone had handed me. I'm Bethany, and I make small-batch whipped tallow in my kitchen in Tomball, Texas. Most of the "this felt greasy" or "I'm not sure it's working" messages I hear come down to the same thing: too much, too little, or applied the wrong way. Let's get the amount right.
For your face, start with less than a pea-size amount, a little smaller than a green pea. Rub it right onto slightly damp skin; it melts on contact. That's enough for your whole face and a little on your neck. Under the eyes, use just a rice grain. For the body, a fingertip-sized scoop covers both hands or one lower leg. Start small; you can always add more to dry spots, but you can't take it back.
How much tallow should I use on my face?
Less than a pea-size amount. I know it looks like nothing sitting there on your fingertip, especially if you're used to pumping out a big dollop of lotion. But tallow is a rich, concentrated fat, not a water-based lotion. Lotions are mostly water, which evaporates, so you need more of them. Whipped tallow is nearly all fat (plus air, from the whipping), so a little bit spreads a long way.
Tallow is naturally rich in fatty acids like oleic, palmitic, and stearic acid, which are similar to the lipids in your skin's own oils. That's part of why it feels so familiar on skin, and also why your skin only needs a thin layer. Think of it like butter on toast: a thin, even layer is delicious; a thick slab just sits there.
Here's a quick guide that I keep in my head:
| Area | How much | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Whole face | Less than a pea-size amount | Rub it right onto damp skin. Add a touch more to dry patches only. |
| Under the eyes | A rice grain (for both eyes) | Tap along the orbital bone, away from the lash line. |
| Neck and chest | Another pea-sized amount | Smooth upward with flat palms. |
| Lips | A tiny dab | Or use a tallow lip balm. |
| Both hands | A fingertip scoop (about a blueberry) | More at night, with cotton gloves for very dry hands. |
| One lower leg or arm | A fingertip scoop | Best right after a shower, on damp skin. |
| Both heels and feet | A generous fingertip scoop | Bedtime, then socks. |
A little bit of tallow goes a long way. Start with a pea; you can always add more.
Why does tallow feel greasy on my face?
If tallow feels greasy, it's almost always one of three things.
You used too much. This is the big one. A heaping fingerful on your face will sit on top of your skin no matter how good the tallow is. Cut it in half and see how it feels.
You applied it cold and rubbed it in. Cold whipped tallow is a little firm. If you drag it straight from the jar across your face, it goes on unevenly, thick in some spots and missing others. Warming it first turns it into a thin oil that spreads easily.
Your skin was bone-dry. Rich creams over completely dry skin can feel heavier. A little dampness, right after you rinse your face, helps the tallow spread thinner and helps lock that moisture in.
Give it time, too. Right after you apply, your face may have a soft sheen for five to ten minutes. That's normal. Most people find it settles into a dewy, comfortable finish rather than an oily one.
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Get the free guideHow to apply tallow to your face the right way
Here's the way I do it every morning and night. It takes about a minute, and starting on slightly damp skin makes all the difference.
- Rinse or cleanse, then leave it damp. Wash your face with lukewarm water or a gentle cleanser. Pat it mostly dry with a towel, but leave your skin a little damp.
- Scoop less than a pea-size amount. Use a clean, dry fingertip or a small spoon so you don't bring water into the jar.
- No need to warm it. The whipped tallow melts from soft whip to a light oil the moment it touches your skin.
- Rub it right in. Smooth it over your cheeks, forehead, nose, and chin with light, gentle strokes. It spreads into a thin, even layer and absorbs in moments.
- Use what's left on your neck. Whatever's on your fingers goes down your neck and onto the backs of your hands. Nothing wasted.
- Wait five minutes. Let it settle before makeup, a pillowcase, or a scarf.
For a deeper walkthrough of a whole facial routine, see my guide on how to use tallow on your face.
Whipped Tallow Face & Body Cream
This is the cream I measure in peas: grass-fed tallow whipped light and airy so it melts at a fingertip and spreads thin. It moisturizes and helps lock in moisture on your face and body, so one jar covers your whole routine. It comes in 2 oz, 4 oz, and 8 oz jars, in unscented, lavender, frankincense, or lemongrass; choose unscented if your skin is sensitive. Save with The Duo, The Gift Trio or The Stock-Up, or join the Monthly Glow Club and save on every jar.
Shop the Whipped Tallow CreamHow much tallow to use on your body
The body is more forgiving than the face, and drier spots can handle more. A common mix-up: using the same big scoop on your face that you use on your shins, then wondering why a 2 oz jar disappears so fast. Use a pea for your face and save the bigger scoops for your legs and heels, and your jar goes a lot further.
A few body tips that help tallow go further:
- Apply right after a shower. Damp skin plus a rich cream is the easiest way to help lock in moisture. Pat dry and apply within a few minutes.
- Use your palms for bigger areas. Take a fingertip scoop into your palms and smooth it over your skin in long strokes.
- Go heavier where you're driest. Elbows, knees, heels, and knuckles can take a generous layer, especially at night.
- Use the glove-and-sock trick. For very dry hands or feet, apply a thicker layer at bedtime and cover with cotton gloves or socks. My guide to dry cracked hands has the full routine.
Can you use too much tallow?
On your body, too much mostly just means a slippery feeling and a jar that runs out quickly. On your face, it can feel heavy, and for some people, using a lot may contribute to clogged pores or bumps. Pore-clogging is very individual, and no rating chart can predict how your skin will respond. If you notice new bumps, scale back to half a pea, use it only at night for a while, or keep it to your drier areas. I wrote more about this in does tallow clog pores.
If your skin is sensitive, start even smaller and patch test on your inner arm for two to three days before using it on your face. Essential oils can bother some skin, so the unscented version is the gentlest place to start. And if you're pregnant, nursing, or thinking of using tallow on a baby, check with your doctor or pediatrician first.
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Grab my one-page decoder with the 20 label ingredients I skip, what to look for instead, and my 1-minute tallow routine, with the amounts that work for most faces.
Get the free guideFrequently asked questions
How long does a jar of tallow last?
It depends on how you use it. Used only on your face, less than a pea-size amount twice a day, a 2 oz jar often lasts a couple of months. Use it on your body too, and you'll go through it faster, which is why larger jars are handy for the whole family.
Should I use tallow morning and night?
Many people do. Less than a pea-size amount in the morning, given a few minutes to settle before makeup, and less than a pea-size amount at night. If your skin feels oily during the day, try using it only at night for a week.
Can I mix tallow with my other moisturizer?
Yes. Some people mix a small amount of tallow with a drop of their usual serum or moisturizer in their palm. Just introduce one new product at a time so you know how your skin responds.
Why does my whipped tallow feel firm sometimes?
Tallow responds to temperature. In a cool room it firms up; in a warm one it softens. Either way, it melts on contact with your skin and spreads into a smooth, light layer.
Bethany makes Divine Wellness tallow skincare in small batches in Tomball, Texas. This article is for general education and isn't medical advice; for a skin condition, talk with your doctor or dermatologist. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.