Tallow is purified fat from cattle and has been used for thousands of years — not just as cooking fat, but also for skincare, wound healing, candle making, leather care, and even preservation. In traditional Nordic farming societies, tallow was an invaluable food and household staple. It was found in everything from soups to hand creams and was often combined with beeswax.
Today, tallow is often considered a byproduct of the meat industry. Instead of being used, it’s commonly burned or diverted into technical uses like biofuel. It’s a paradox — at a time when we’re searching for sustainable resources, this nutrient-rich fat, once treasured by our ancestors, is largely overlooked.
Tallow contains a unique profile of fatty acids that the skin naturally recognizes and easily absorbs:
This makes tallow an ideal choice for skincare — especially for sensitive, dry, or reactive skin.
In the modern world, tallow is being rediscovered across several areas:
Tallow is highly heat-stable, making it perfect for frying, sautéing, and slow cooking. It’s a favorite in carnivore, keto, and paleo diets due to its high saturated fat content and absence of omega-6 oils.
Thanks to its similarity to human sebum, tallow is used in moisturizing balms, salves, and lip care. Our own Primal Balm products are examples of multifunctional skincare based on tallow.
Tallow makes an excellent base for natural candles, producing a soft, warm glow without synthetic additives or petroleum.
As a leather conditioner, tallow excels at nourishing, softening, and waterproofing boots, gloves, bags, and gear — especially useful for outdoor life.
In bushcraft and prepping, tallow is prized as fuel, lubricant, wound salve, and even emergency food — a true multi-use natural resource.
By using tallow-based products, you can replace several conventional items at home — from hand cream to leather balm. It’s minimalist, eco-friendly, and skin-friendly. Our balms are designed for exactly that: to work everywhere, from the bathroom shelf to the mountain trail.
Instead of letting this resource go to waste, we can bring it back into the cycle. Tallow is biodegradable, renewable, and nutrient-rich — and when used in small-scale, artisanal production, it supports more sustainable consumption.
Tallow isn’t just a forgotten ingredient — it’s a testament to how we can combine traditional wisdom with modern functionality. From skin to kitchen, leather to candlelight — it’s time to reclaim tallow.
© BARE NORDIC 2025
