Not All Tallow Balms Are Created Equal

Tallow balm has been making a comeback in the skincare world, and for good reason. It’s deeply moisturizing, packed with skin-loving nutrients, and completely natural. Unlike many commercial moisturizers filled with synthetic ingredients and preservatives, tallow is bioavailable—meaning your skin recognizes and absorbs it easily. But here’s the thing: not all tallow balms are created the same.

With the rising popularity of tallow-based skincare, it seems like new brands are popping up almost daily. While having more options is great, the quality of these balms varies widely, and many aren’t what they seem. Some companies take shortcuts in their sourcing and rendering process, which drastically affects the purity, effectiveness, and nutrient content of the final product. If you’ve ever tried a tallow balm and found it greasy, heavy, or with an off-putting smell, chances are it wasn’t a high-quality, traditionally rendered tallow balm.

At Wyld Terra, we believe in doing things the right way. Let’s break down the key differences between high-quality tallow balm and the more processed versions flooding the market.

The Problem with Pre-Rendered and Over-Processed Tallow

One of the biggest issues in the tallow skincare space is that many brands don’t actually render their own tallow. Instead, they buy it pre-rendered—often in bulk—which means they have little control over the sourcing and processing methods.

Even worse, some brands are using trim fat tallow—the same type of fat used for cooking. While trim fat tallow has its place in the kitchen, it isn’t the best choice for skincare. It tends to have a stronger odor and a less desirable texture. To mask these issues, companies will often add large amounts of essential oils, many of which aren’t even safe for direct skin application. Strong essential oils can cause irritation, disrupt the skin barrier, and in some cases, make the product too harsh for sensitive skin.

The Water and Salt Rendering Method: Why It’s a No-Go

Even among brands that DO render their own tallow, the method they use makes a big difference. Many companies use the water and salt rendering method, which involves boiling fat in water with added salt. While this might seem harmless, the problem is that this method introduces too much moisture, which can lead to rancidity, mold, and a compromised final product if they aren't also doing at least one to two dry renders after to remove the water.

Even worse, some companies render their tallow multiple times (eek), which is known as refining. The goal of refining is to "purify" the tallow and remove any scent, but in reality, it alters and/or strips away many of the essential fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins that make tallow so beneficial in the first place. The result is a product that might have a longer shelf life and be scent-free, but is far less effective at nourishing the skin.

What High-Quality Tallow Balm Should Be Like

A properly rendered, high-quality tallow balm should have a soft, creamy texture and a mild, buttery scent. If a balm smells harsh, overly strong, or "off," that’s often a sign that the fat was either overheated or over-processed. The more a fat is heated and refined, the more it degrades, losing the naturally occurring vitamins A, D, E, and K, along with essential fatty acids like conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which has powerful anti-inflammatory properties.

Why We Only Use Beef Suet For Our Tallow Products

At Wyld Terra, we keep things simple and pure. Our tallow is made from 100% grass-fed & finished, regeneratively farmed and pasture-raised beef suet, which is the highest quality fat from around the kidneys and loins. Suet has the most concentrated levels of nutrients, making it far superior to trim fat.

We also render our tallow slowly and gently, using a low and slow dry method—no water, no salt, no refining, no shortcuts. This traditional method preserves all the skin-nourishing properties while ensuring that the final balm is as pure, effective, and nutrient-rich as possible.

How to Tell If You’re Using the Right Tallow Balm

If you’ve tried tallow balm before and didn’t love it, you may have used one that was either over-processed, made from trim fat, or filled with unnecessary additives. Here are a few things to look for when choosing a high-quality tallow balm:

Source Matters – Look for 100% grass-fed, pasture-raised tallow. Animals raised on a natural grass diet produce fat that is richer in vitamins and beneficial fatty acids.
Rendering Method – Avoid tallow that has been rendered using water and salt, or that has been refined multiple times. This strips away nutrients and compromises the integrity of the balm.
Texture and Smell – A good tallow balm should be smooth, creamy, and absorb well into the skin. The scent should be mild and buttery, not strong or unpleasant.
Ingredients List – The best tallow balms keep it simple. If you see a long list of added ingredients, especially synthetic ones, it’s best to steer clear.

Why Your Skin Deserves the Best

Tallow balm is an incredible natural moisturizer, but only when it’s left in its most natural, nutrient-dense state. At Wyld Terra, we don’t believe in cutting corners. We take the time to render our tallow the right way so that it delivers the full spectrum of skin benefits—hydration, nourishment, and deep restoration.

If you’ve ever tried tallow balm and weren’t impressed, you may not have tried the right one. Your skin deserves the best—real, unprocessed, nutrient-rich tallow - and that's why your skin deserves Wyld Terra.