How to Use Tallow on Your Face (Without the Greasy Shine)

The first week I used tallow on my face, I did it all wrong. I scooped a big fingerful onto dry skin, rubbed it around like I was frosting a cake, and looked like a glazed donut until noon.

So if you've bought your first jar and you're not sure where to start, you're in good company. Learning how to use tallow on your face is less about the product and more about a few small habits: how much you use, when you put it on, and what your skin looks like right before it goes on. Once I figured those out, everything changed. Here's the exact routine I use now, the one I share with every friend who texts me a picture of her new jar.

How do you use tallow on your face?

This is my everyday routine. It takes about a minute, and most of that is waiting for the kettle anyway.

1. Cleanse gently. Wash with a mild cleanser or just warm water in the morning. You don't need anything harsh or squeaky. That tight, squeaky feeling usually means your skin has been stripped of the very oils you're about to replace.
2. Leave your skin a little damp. Pat your face with a towel but don't dry it completely. Tallow helps lock in moisture, so you want some moisture there to lock in. A spritz of plain water works too.
3. Scoop less than a pea-size amount. Use a clean, dry finger or a small spatula. For most faces, a pea is plenty. Very dry skin in winter might want a little more.
4. No need to warm it. Whipped tallow melts the moment it touches your skin, so it spreads thin and even on its own.
5. Rub it right in. Smooth it over your cheeks, forehead, chin, nose and neck. It absorbs in moments. Then use whatever's left on your hands, cuticles or elbows.
6. Give it five minutes. It can feel rich at first. By the time you've brushed your teeth or packed a lunchbox, it's usually settled into a soft, dewy finish.

Should I use tallow on my face morning or night?

Either works, and many people use it both times. Here's how I think about it.

At night, tallow really shines. There's no makeup going on top, no rush, and your skin has hours to soak it in. This is where I'd start if you're new. A slightly bigger pea, smoothed on after you wash the day off, and many people find their skin feels soft and comfortable in the morning instead of tight.

In the morning, use a thinner layer. A half-pea is often enough. If you wear makeup, give it a full five minutes before foundation, and blot with a tissue if you feel any extra slip. Tallow is a moisturizer, not a sunscreen, so on days you're outside, your usual sunscreen still goes on after it.

If you only want to try one, try night first. It's the most forgiving.

How much tallow should I use on my face?

Less than you think. This is the number one thing I hear from new tallow users: "It felt so greasy!" Almost every time, they used three or four times what their face needed.

Here's a simple way to find your amount:

If your face still looks shiny after fifteen minutes, scale back next time. If it feels tight by mid-afternoon, add a touch more. Give it a week of small adjustments, and you'll find your sweet spot.

Can you use tallow with your other skincare?

Yes, and you don't have to throw out what you already like. The easiest rule is to layer from thinnest to thickest. Watery toners and serums go on first, then tallow goes on last as your moisturizing layer.

If you have a vitamin C serum you love, you don't have to give it up. Keep it, wait a minute for it to dry, and smooth a small amount of tallow on top. That's a perfectly good routine.

If you use a prescription product from your dermatologist, ask them before changing anything. They know your skin and your plan, and I'd always defer to them.

What mistakes should I avoid when using tallow on my face?

I've made most of these myself, so no judgment here.

• Using too much. A pea is enough. More doesn't mean more moisture, just more shine.
• Applying to dry skin. Damp skin helps it melt in and helps hold moisture where you want it.
• Double-dipping with wet fingers. Water in the jar isn't your friend. Use clean, dry fingers or a little spatula.
• Skipping the patch test. Try a dab on your jawline for a day before going all in, especially with a scented jar.
• Leaving it in a hot car. Whipped tallow softens in Texas heat. It's still fine, but it may lose its fluffy texture. Keep it somewhere cool.

More tallow doesn't mean more moisture. It just means more shine.

If you're still on the fence about tallow itself, I explain what it is and why so many people love it in the benefits of tallow for skin. And if your biggest worry is breakouts, read does tallow clog pores before you start.

What should I do with my tallow tonight?

Here's your homework, and it's the easy kind. Tonight, wash your face with warm water, pat it so it's still a little damp, scoop less than a pea-size amount of tallow, and rub it right in. Rub what's left into your hands. Then go to bed. Tomorrow morning, touch your cheek before you do anything else and notice how it feels. That one small check-in will tell you more than any article, including this one.

Frequently asked questions

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.