01
Less is more
Tallow is 100% active nutrients, not 70% water like a typical lotion. Start with a pea-sized amount — you can always add more.
The Tallowbourn Usage Guide
Get the most from every product you own.
Tallow is concentrated, real-ingredient skincare — so a little goes a long way, and a few small habits make a big difference. Here's exactly how to use each Tallowbourn product for the best possible results.
— Dr. Dave, Founder
Start Here
Five rules that apply to almost everything
Our balms and lip care are anhydrous — meaning pure, waterless lipids with no fillers and nothing watered down. That's why these few principles matter more than any complicated routine.
02
Warm it first
Rub a small amount between clean fingertips for a few seconds. It melts into a silky oil that spreads further and absorbs faster.
03
Apply to damp skin
Right after a shower or a splash of water, skin still holds moisture. Tallow seals it in — so the balm glides on and sinks in instead of sitting on top.
04
Keep water out of the jar
Our formulas are preservative-free by design. Always use clean, dry fingers so the jar stays fresh for its full shelf life.
05
New skin? Patch test
If your skin is reactive, dab a little on your inner wrist and wait 24 hours before going all-in. Simple peace of mind.
Head-to-toe moisture
Tallow Balm
Our signature 6-ingredient balm. Because tallow's fatty-acid profile mirrors your skin's own, it absorbs deeply without the grease — and you genuinely don't need much.
How to apply
- 01 Scoop a small, pea-sized amount — a little goes a long way.
- 02 Warm it between clean fingers until it melts into an oil.
- 03 Press and smooth it onto clean, slightly damp skin, face or body.
- 04 Give it a few minutes to let the nourishing oils fully absorb before dressing or layering anything else.
Pro tips
- Best moments: right after a shower and/or before bed, when skin is primed to absorb it in overnight.
- Use it anywhere: face, elbows, knees, hands, feet — and as a targeted dab on dry patches, razor burn, or fresh tattoos.
- Layering: apply after any water-based serum and before heavier oils to lock everything in.
Storage: keep your jar somewhere cool and dry, out of direct sunlight. In summer heat it may soften — that's completely normal and doesn't affect quality. It will firm back up as it cools.
With baking soda
Extra Strength Deodorant
Built for high-output days — workouts, summer heat, long shifts. Aluminum-free but uses a higher concentration of natural odor blockers.
How to apply
- 01 Start with clean, dry underarms — moisture dilutes the formula and makes it apply unevenly.
- 02 Apply just a few swipes. That's genuinely all you need.
- 03 Let it sit for 30–60 seconds before getting dressed.
- 04 Reapply midday if you want, especially after a workout or a hot day.
Why application matters
- Fewer white streaks: a thin layer plus that short dry-down time keeps marks off your clothes.
- Less irritation: a light, even application is far gentler than caking it on.
- Your stick lasts longer: using the right amount stretches every stick further.
About baking soda: it's remarkably effective against odor and works beautifully for most people. A minority of skin is simply more sensitive to it. If you notice any irritation, our Sensitive Skin deodorant is your match.
Switching from an antiperspirant? Give your body a week or two to adjust. As your sweat response and skin's natural bacteria rebalance, you may notice a little more sweat or odor at first. It's temporary — most people settle in within a few weeks.
Baking-soda-free
Sensitive Skin Deodorant
Same effective odor protection, formulated without baking soda — so irritation isn't a concern. With sensitivity off the table, getting the application right is what unlocks all-day freshness.
How to apply
- 01 Begin with clean, dry underarms — dryness helps it grip and apply evenly.
- 02 Apply a few light swipes. More product doesn't mean more protection.
- 03 Pause 30–60 seconds for a quick dry-down before dressing.
- 04 Reapply midday whenever you want a fresh top-up.
Pro tips
- Thin and even beats thick: a uniform layer minimizes any residue on clothing and feels more comfortable all day.
- Glides on best on warm skin: straight after a shower, once you've patted dry, is ideal.
- Keep underarms clean day to day — fresh skin simply handles sweat and odor better.
Storage: keep it somewhere cool. Without synthetic stabilizers, a natural stick can soften in heat — store it away from warm windowsills and hot cars so it keeps its texture.
Cold-processed bar
Grass-Fed Tallow Soap
Cold-processing keeps tallow's nutrients intact, so this bar cleans deeply without that tight, stripped feeling. One bar does the job of several products.
How to use
- 01 Work up a rich lather between wet hands or with a washcloth.
- 02 Massage onto skin and rinse with lukewarm water — hot water is more drying.
- 03 Pat skin almost dry, then follow with Tallow Balm to seal in moisture.
Pro tips
- Let it dry between uses. Store it on a well-draining soap dish — this is the single biggest factor in how long a bar lasts.
- Keep it out of the direct stream of the shower when you're not using it.
- With daily use and good drainage, a bar typically lasts about 4 weeks.
More than a body bar
- Face wash: gentle enough for daily facial cleansing — start with Unscented if your skin is reactive.
- Shave soap: build a thick lather for a smooth, irritation-free shave with no separate cream.
- Hand soap: keep a bar by the sink for a moisturizing wash that won't dry your hands out.
Small surface cracks, surface texture differences and other slight variations between bars are normal for a handcrafted, cold-processed soap. They don't affect quality. Also for the scented bars a more intense scent is released after a wash or two as the essential oils on the outer layers of the bar can diminish during curing but will be released upon repeated use.
Deep-clean essential oils
Athlete's Shield Soap
Same nourishing grass-fed tallow base as our classic bar, dialed up with tea tree, eucalyptus, peppermint, and lavender essential oils, plus French green clay to draw out what sweat and a quick rinse leave behind.
How to use
- 01 Lather generously with warm water — the warmth activates the essential-oil blend.
- 02 Work it into high-activity areas: underarms, chest, back, and feet.
- 03 Rinse thoroughly. The cooling eucalyptus-peppermint may have a slight tingle, this is normal and tells you it's working.
Pro tips
- Best after activity: post-workout, post-practice, or any time you want a deeper clean than a gentle rinse.
- Not just for athletes: plenty of people use it as an everyday invigorating body bar.
- Same care rules apply: dry it between uses on a draining dish to make the bar last.
Absorbs, not just coats
Tallow Lip Balm
Most lip balms sit on the surface and wear off fast. Because tallow absorbs, this one conditions from within — so you reach for it far less often than you're used to.
How to use
- 01 Swipe a thin layer onto clean lips — a little goes a long way.
- 02 Apply generously before bed and wake up to soft, hydrated lips.
- 03 Reapply through the day as needed — you'll need it less than with petroleum balms.
Pro tips
- Not just for lips: great on cuticles, dry patches around the nose, and small rough spots anywhere.
- Family-friendly: simple, food-grade ingredients make it gentle enough for kids.
- With daily use, one pack typically lasts 2–3 months.
Hot-weather heads-up: don't leave your lip balm in a hot car or on a sunny dashboard in summer — it can soften or melt in extreme heat. Keep it somewhere cool and it'll stay perfect.
Mineral · 13% non-nano zinc
Tallow Sun Balm
A rich, mineral-based outdoor balm made with grass-fed tallow and 13% non-nano zinc oxide — designed to deeply moisturize skin that lives outdoors, without chemical filters, synthetic fragrance, or petroleum fillers.
How to use
- 01 Warm a small amount between your palms and massage into dry skin wherever you want rich, outdoor-ready moisture.
- 02 Reapply every 2 hours, and right after swimming, sweating, or towel-drying.
- 03 Use it as an everyday face-and-body balm too, to soften skin and support a comfortable moisture barrier.
Good to know
- Minimal white cast: the tallow and mango-butter base helps the zinc blend in far more smoothly than water-based mineral formulas. Rub it in well.
- Reef-conscious: made without oxybenzone or octinoxate.
- Pair it with shade, a hat, and protective clothing when you'll be outside for long stretches.
We make this as a nourishing, mineral-based balm with non-nano zinc oxide (13%). We have not completed formal SPF testing, so we don't claim an SPF rating — enjoy it as outdoor-ready moisture, and lean on shade, hats, and protective clothing for longer days in the sun.
Storage: like all our balms, keep it cool and out of direct heat so it holds its texture. If at the beach just try to keep out of direct sunlight. In your bag or under a towel.
Real ingredients, simple habits
The way you use a product matters almost as much as what's in it.
That's the whole philosophy. Use a little, use it on damp skin, store it cool — and let formulas your skin actually recognises do the rest.
Shop All ProductsQuestions about your routine? Reach us at info@tallowbourn.com — every order is backed by our 30-day guarantee.