How to use a tallow balm

A tallow balm is not hard to use, but it is used differently from a lotion, and most of the problems people have with balms come from using too much. This is how we use ours, and why. Most of it is our own experience of making and using balms every day, and we will say where research comes in.

Before your first use: patch test

Before a new product goes on your face, try it on a small patch of skin. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests a quarter-sized area somewhere it will not be washed off, such as the inside of your arm or the bend of your elbow, twice a day for several days (AAD guidance). If you see redness, itching or swelling, wash it off and stop.

Two more things to check before you start. Tallow is beef-derived, so if you have alpha-gal syndrome or a beef allergy, ask your doctor first, and our honest advice is to skip it (CDC on alpha-gal). And if your skin is sensitive to citrus or essential oils, the scented balms deserve an especially careful patch test.

Step 1: take less than you think

For your whole face, start with a pea-sized amount. A balm has no water in it, so a small amount covers far more skin than the same amount of lotion. If you scoop a lotion-sized amount, it will feel greasy, and that is the most common reason people decide balms are not for them.

Use a clean, dry fingertip or a small spatula, and keep water out of the jar.

Step 2: warm it

Rub the balm between your fingertips or palms for a few seconds. It will turn from a soft solid into a clear oil. This is the step that makes the biggest difference to how it feels: warmed balm spreads in a thin, even layer, while cold balm drags and sits in patches.

Step 3: press, don't rub

Press your palms gently over your cheeks, forehead, nose and chin, then smooth outwards. Pressing puts down a thin layer without pulling at the skin. Add a touch more anywhere that feels especially dry. It should settle to a soft, low-shine finish within a minute or two.

Step 4: decide where it goes in your routine

Moisturizers are usually described as working in three ways: drawing water in, softening, and slowing water loss (Purnamawati et al., 2017). A water-free balm mostly softens and slows water loss; it does not add water itself. That is the research behind the routine we use:

• On its own: apply it to skin that is still slightly damp after washing, so there is moisture for it to hold in.
• With other products: put anything water-based on first (a toner, serum or light cream), and the balm last.
• Morning: use a thin layer, let it settle, then put your sunscreen on top.
• Evening: this is where a balm shines. Use it as the last step, a little more generously on dry patches.

If it feels too rich

If your skin still feels heavy a few minutes after applying, the answer is almost always to use less next time, not to stop. Try half as much, warm it longer, and press rather than rub. If it still feels too heavy after a week or two, a rich balm may not suit your skin, particularly if it is oily or breakout-prone. That is a real possibility, and it is fine. Our satisfaction promise is there for exactly that case.

Common mistakes

• Using it like lotion. A generous scoop is the quickest way to a greasy face. Start small and add only where you need it.
• Skipping the warm-up. Cold balm drags. A few seconds between your fingertips is what turns it into an oil that spreads.
• Applying it under water-based products. Oil first makes it harder for anything watery to reach skin. Put the balm last.
• Expecting it to do everything. A balm is not a sunscreen, an exfoliant or a treatment. It is there to keep dry skin soft and comfortable.

Beyond the face

Our balms are made for the face, but they work on other dry spots too: hands, elbows, knees, heels and cuticles. These areas take more product, so use as much as feels right. Keep it out of your eyes.

Looking after the jar

Keep the lid on and the jar out of direct sun and away from a hot windowsill. Tallow softens above roughly 90°F and firms again as it cools, so a balm that arrives soft in summer has not spoiled; let it set at room temperature or put it in the fridge for 20 minutes. Use it within the period after opening shown on the product page.

Which balm to start with

If you like a bright, citrus scent, start with the Yuja balm. If you prefer something fresh and softly green, try the Green Tea balm. If you are not sure, the Duo gives you both, so you can find the one you reach for. To understand what is in the jar first, read what tallow skincare is.