In the world of tallow skincare, you’ll find passionate voices, strong opinions, and plenty of variation. Some brands swear by dry rendering. Others won’t use anything but herbal infusions. Some love a whipped texture, while others are balm purists.
And sometimes, that passion crosses a line—turning into judgment, comparison, or claims of superiority.
At Bare Bones Tallow, we don’t see it that way.
We believe there’s no single right method—just different approaches, different hands, and different philosophies behind this ancestral, skin-loving fat. In this post, we’re breaking down some of the most common tallow debates—wet vs dry rendering, whipped vs balm, and essential oils vs herbal infusions—and why there’s room for all of them.
Wet Rendering vs Dry Rendering
Wet rendering uses water to help gently melt the fat and separate impurities. It often produces a lighter-smelling, paler tallow and can be easier for beginners to manage without burning. However, if not dried thoroughly, leftover moisture can shorten shelf life or cause spoilage.
Dry rendering skips the water and uses low heat to slowly melt the fat. The result is a deeply rich, shelf-stable tallow with a more neutral scent. It takes a bit more care, but when done right, it yields beautiful results.
The takeaway: Both methods are safe, effective, and skin-friendly when done with intention.
Whipped vs Balm Texture
Some people love whipped tallow for its light, mousse-like texture. It spreads easily over large areas and feels luxurious on the skin. It’s ideal for body care and those who want a fluffy, smooth glide.
Others prefer a balm, letting the tallow set in a solid state. This dense texture melts on contact and offers targeted nourishment for the face, hands, or dry patches like heels and elbows. Balms also tend to hold up better in warmer temperatures.
The takeaway: This is all about preference—both offer the same nourishing benefits of whole, rendered fat.
Essential Oils vs Herbal Infusions
Essential oils are potent plant extracts that offer scent and therapeutic properties—from calming lavender to rejuvenating frankincense. But they’re strong and must be used properly to avoid irritation, especially on sensitive skin or in baby care.
Herbal infusions are made by steeping dried botanicals (like calendula, chamomile, or frankincense resin) in oils over several weeks. The result is a gentle, subtle extract that’s less likely to cause sensitivity. Infusions also feel more aligned with traditional skincare practices.
The takeaway: Both can be beautiful. It depends on your skin, values, and desired potency.
🐄 Why the Suet Source Matters
While there’s room for different techniques in the tallow world, there’s no substitute for clean suet.
At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how beautifully it’s rendered or whipped—if the source isn’t clean, the final product won’t be either. Tallow comes from deep within the animal—it holds nutrients, but it can also hold onto toxins if the animal was fed poorly, raised in confinement, or pumped with antibiotics and hormones.
That’s why grass-fed and finished suet matters.
We source ours locally, from animals raised with care—on pasture, the way nature intended. No shortcuts. No feedlot mystery. Just pure, nutrient-rich suet that gets the respect it deserves from render to jar.
Because real skincare starts long before it hits your shelf.
So… Which Is Best?
That’s the thing: none of them are “best.” They’re just different ways of working with the same foundational ingredient—grass-fed tallow. What matters most is that it’s done with intention, care, and respect for both the animal and the skin it’s nourishing.
We’re not here to compete or compare. We’re here to reclaim what was nearly lost: a simple, whole, sustainable form of skincare that actually works.
Whether you whip, balm, infuse, or blend… if you’re creating from a place of honesty and heart—you’re doing it right.
At Bare Bones Tallow, we’ve done it all—wet and dry rendering, whipped textures and balms, essential oils and herbal infusions. Each method has its place, and we choose what suits the product, the season, and the skin it’s made for. We love seeing how other makers work with this ingredient too—there’s room for all of it.
Because in the end, we’re all after the same thing: real skincare. The kind that comes from the earth, honours the whole animal, and supports thriving skin—without the fluff.
Thanks for being here. For choosing small, intentional, and real.
