Grass-Fed Tallow: Why the Source of Your Cream Matters

Grass-fed tallow is appearing on more and more skincare labels. But what does it actually mean, and why would the source of your cream matter? We explain it honestly, without big words and without promises we cannot keep.

What is grass-fed tallow?

Tallow is melted and purified beef fat. The term grass-fed tells you something about the animal's diet: it is fat from cattle that eat grass. That may sound like a detail, but it is a deliberate choice.

In conventional farming, cattle are often given concentrated feed such as grain as well. With grass-fed, grass is the foundation of the diet. For us, that is a logical starting point. When you make a cream with only a few ingredients, you want every single one to be right.

Why the animal's diet can matter

You are what you eat, as the saying goes. Something similar applies to the fat of animals. In general literature, grass feeding is associated with a different fatty acid profile and with the fat-soluble vitamins found in the fat.

We want to be honest about this. How large those differences are depends on many factors. So we do not claim that grass-fed tallow is proven to work better on your skin. What we do know: tallow naturally contains fatty acids that also occur in your own skin, and grass-fed is, to us, the most careful choice for that base.

Purification: from raw fat to soft cream

The source is one side of the story. Processing is the other. Raw fat is not skincare yet. It is first slowly melted and then purified, leaving a clean, even fat.

That purification largely determines how the tallow smells and feels. Well-purified tallow has a mild scent of its own. At Cocovayé we then whip the tallow into a light cream, adding a few ingredients per cream such as MCT oil and vitamin E.

Scent and texture of grass-fed tallow

Because tallow is a natural ingredient, its colour can vary slightly, from white to a light cream shade. Whipping makes the cream feel airy, almost like a mousse. You only need a little: warm a small amount between your fingers and press it gently into your skin.

And the scent? In our scented creams you mainly notice what we add, such as tiaré, coconut, rose geranium, sweet orange or lavender. Nothing is added to the fragrance-free The Natural, so you only notice the mild natural scent of the tallow and the other two ingredients. Some people love exactly that: pure and calm, without distraction.

Many people find that their skin feels soft and supple afterwards. Every skin is different, though. So always do a patch test on a small area of skin when trying a new cream, for example on the inside of your wrist.

What to look for in a tallow cream

Torn between different tallow creams? These points can help you choose:

• Source: does the label clearly say what kind of tallow it is, such as grass-fed tallow?
• Ingredient list: is it short, and do you understand what is on it?
• Scent: has fragrance been added, does it contain essential oils, or is it fragrance-free?
• Texture: are you after a firm balm or a whipped, airy cream?
• Your skin: what feels good? Always start with a patch test.

Discover our grass-fed tallow creams

Would you like to feel what a whipped tallow cream is like, but have not yet picked a scent? The Discovery Set is made for exactly that. You get all five of our scented day creams: The Original, The Coconut, Rose Blossom, Orange Passion and Velvet Lavender Day Cream, plus our Lip Balm for free. The set costs €84.95, and shipping is free on orders from €45.

Prefer no scent at all? Then The Natural - Sensitive Skin is a lovely choice. It contains just three ingredients: grass-fed tallow, MCT oil and vitamin E. The Natural is not part of the Discovery Set, but you can order it separately for €24.95. Or take your time browsing all products.

Frequently asked questions

Is grass-fed tallow better than regular tallow?

We do not claim that. In general literature, grass feeding is associated with a different fatty acid profile and with fat-soluble vitamins, but how large those differences are depends on many factors. For us, grass-fed is above all a deliberate choice for a careful base.

What is in the Discovery Set?

All five scented day creams: The Original, The Coconut, Rose Blossom, Orange Passion and Velvet Lavender Day Cream, plus a free Sweet Orange Lip Balm. The fragrance-free The Natural is not included.

Is grass-fed tallow suitable for every skin?

Many people with normal to dry skin enjoy tallow. Still, every skin reacts differently. Always do a patch test first and stop if your skin does not respond well.

Not sure which cream suits you yet? Take the skin quiz: five questions and personal advice in under a minute.