Frequently Asked Questions About Tallow Skincare

Tallow is a natural fat traditionally rendered from grass-fed beef. In skincare, tallow is valued because its fatty acid profile closely resembles the natural lipids found in human skin. This makes it highly skin-compatible and easy to absorb.

Tallow naturally contains vitamins A, D, E and K, which help support the skin barrier, hydration and overall skin resilience. Unlike many conventional creams, tallow does not rely on synthetic fillers, silicones or petroleum-based ingredients.

Long before modern cosmetics existed, animal fats like tallow were used to protect the skin from cold, wind and dryness. These fats helped nourish the skin barrier and prevent moisture loss.

At Nana Latta, we continue this ancestral approach by combining traditionally rendered tallow with carefully selected botanical ingredients, creating simple yet effective skincare rooted in tradition.

Yes. Tallow is a by-product of the food industry, which means it helps reduce waste by using materials that already exist. When sourced locally, tallow has a relatively low environmental footprint compared to many plant-based oils that require intensive farming, irrigation and processing.

Our tallow is sourced in Belgium, supporting local suppliers and reducing transport impact.

Tallow-based skincare is known for being deeply nourishing yet gentle. Key benefits include:

• Support for a healthy skin barrier
• Deep hydration without a greasy feel
• Naturally occurring fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K)
• A calming effect for dry, sensitive or compromised skin

At Nana Latta, we enhance our tallow formulas with carefully chosen botanical oils and extracts to improve skin comfort and sensory experience. Browse our full tallow skincare range.

Many people with sensitive or acne-prone skin tolerate tallow very well. Because tallow closely mimics human sebum, it tends to support the skin barrier rather than disrupt it.

Well-formulated tallow skincare is generally non-comedogenic and does not overstimulate the skin. Our Tallow + Jojoba Minimalist Butter is our most popular choice for sensitive, oily and acne-prone skin — just two clean ingredients, nothing else.

Tallow skincare can be suitable for a wide range of skin types, including dry, sensitive, combination and mature skin. Because tallow resembles the skin’s own oils, it helps balance the skin rather than overwhelm it.

Many customers with minimalist or reactive skincare routines prefer tallow because of its simplicity and skin compatibility. If you’re new to tallow, the Tallow Butter Family Daisy is our gentlest formula, suitable from babies to adults.

All Nana Latta skincare products are handcrafted in Belgium. We produce our tallow balms, butters and creams in small batches to ensure freshness, quality and full control over every ingredient we use.

Our tallow is sourced locally in Belgium from a family-run supplier. We prioritise traditional processing methods, transparency and responsible sourcing. Using local tallow allows us to maintain consistent quality while keeping our environmental footprint low.

Our tallow butters and balms do not contain synthetic preservatives. Because they are water-free formulations, they do not require conventional preservatives. We use natural antioxidants, such as vitamin E, to help protect the oils from oxidation.

Because we work with natural ingredients and small-batch production, slight variations in colour, texture or firmness may occur. These variations are normal and do not affect the product’s performance or quality.

For best results, apply a small amount to slightly damp skin. This helps seal in moisture and improves absorption.

Tallow products can be used as:

• A daily face or body moisturiser
• A nourishing balm for dry areas such as hands, elbows or lips
• A gentle eye balm for the delicate eye area

A small amount is usually enough. For the face, try our Tallow Butter Fancy Rose (anti-ageing) or Tallow Butter Sweet Orange (brightening). For body care, our Body Butter Bundle covers morning and evening routines.

Tallow is a natural, water-free fat and responds to temperature changes, just like butter. When cold, it is firm. When warm, it becomes soft and spreadable.

Because Nana Latta products are made without stabilisers, waxes or synthetic thickeners, their texture naturally changes with the seasons.

• At room temperature, tallow feels creamy and easy to apply
• In warm conditions, it may soften or partially melt
• In colder conditions, it can feel firmer

These natural texture changes do not affect the quality, safety or effectiveness of the product.

Yes. Just as butter nourishes whether it is firm or soft, tallow delivers the same skin benefits regardless of texture. The nourishing and skin-supporting properties remain unchanged.

Stabilising a natural fat across all temperatures would require adding synthetic ingredients or large amounts of waxes. We choose not to do this, as it can compromise skin comfort and move away from the simple, ancestral approach we value.

Instead, we allow our ingredients to behave naturally.

Our products are formulated to feel best at room temperature (around 18–22°C). For best results:

• Store in a cool, dry place
• Avoid direct sunlight or heat
• Keep the jar tightly closed

In summer, a slightly cooler storage place can help maintain a firmer texture. In winter, allowing the product to sit at room temperature before use will naturally soften it.

Yes. Our Tallow Sun Balm contains 20% non-nano zinc oxide as its active UV filter, providing broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection. Zinc oxide is the only UV filter classified as GRASE (Generally Recognised as Safe and Effective) by the US FDA. It sits on top of the skin and physically blocks UV rays — it is not absorbed into the bloodstream.

Chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays through a photochemical reaction in the skin. Several common chemical filters — oxybenzone, octinoxate, homosalate — have been found in the bloodstream after a single application and are flagged as potential hormone disruptors. They also degrade over time, reducing protection as the day progresses.

Mineral zinc oxide stays on the skin surface, is photostable (doesn’t degrade in sunlight), works immediately on application, and is safe from birth. Our Tallow Sun Balm combines 20% non-nano zinc oxide with a grass-fed tallow base — protection and nourishment in one step.

Yes. The Tallow Sun Balm is completely unscented, free from synthetic fragrances and parabens, and uses only non-nano zinc oxide as its active ingredient. Zinc oxide is the same active ingredient found in nappy rash creams and is safe from birth. Chemical sunscreens are not recommended for babies under 6 months. The Sun Balm is safe for the whole family.

Tallow soap is made from rendered beef fat through traditional cold-process saponification. Unlike commercial soaps made with synthetic detergents (SLS), tallow soap cleanses without stripping the skin’s natural oils. Its fatty acid profile closely mirrors human skin lipids, meaning it cleans effectively while supporting the skin barrier.

Our Minimalist Tallow Soap Bar contains just grass-fed tallow and castor oil — nothing else.

Yes. Our Minimalist Tallow Soap Bar is formulated for both face and body. It lathers gently, rinses clean, and leaves skin feeling balanced — not squeaky tight. It is completely unscented, making it ideal for fragrance-sensitive skin, eczema-prone skin, and babies.

Magnesium is an essential mineral involved in over 300 enzymatic processes in the body. Soaking in a magnesium-rich bath allows for transdermal absorption, helping to relax muscles, ease tension and promote deeper sleep. The mineral salts in our bath soaks detoxify and balance the skin, while the added botanical oils (olive oil or jojoba) moisturise as you soak — leaving skin soft without any oily residue.

Both soaks contain magnesium complex and mineral salts, but serve different moods:

• Magnesium Bath Relax! uses organic olive oil, lavender and frankincense — calming and grounding, ideal for evenings and restful sleep.
• Magnesium Bath Glow! uses jojoba oil, geranium and sweet orange — brightening and uplifting, great for a mood-boosting morning or weekend ritual.

Both leave skin visibly softer and moisturised after every soak. Available individually or together in the Magnesium Bath Bundle.