Beef tallow has recently made a surprising return to the skincare conversation. Once a common ingredient in traditional remedies, it’s now being embraced by those seeking minimal, natural routines. Touted for its bioavailability and skin-complementary composition, rich in fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins, tallow is said to mimic the skin’s natural oils and has been credited with improving conditions like eczema, irritation, and psoriasis.

Curious about the hype and hoping to simplify my routine, I decided to try VanMan’s Honey and Tallow Balm. The formula is clean and straightforward: 100% grass-fed beef tallow, honey, beeswax, olive oil, and a blend of essential oils.

My Skin Background

I’m post-Accutane and still experience minor breakouts. My skin remains on the oily side, and I typically manage it with PanOxyl. However, I was looking to streamline my skincare routine and see how my skin responded to a more ancestral, ingredient-minimal approach.

First Impressions

On first application, the balm immediately softened my skin and absorbed better than I expected from such a rich product. What truly impressed me was how effectively it balanced oil production, something I’ve never experienced with a moisturizer before. My skin stayed hydrated throughout the day without feeling greasy, and inflammation appeared to calm quickly.

First Week 

By the end of the first week, I began noticing clogged pores, mostly closed comedones but with minimal inflammation. A bit of research revealed that others had experienced a similar adjustment or purging phase, which reportedly resolved with continued use. I decided to keep going.

Second Week 

Unfortunately, the clogged pores continued to increase into the second week. While I appreciated the softness and hydration, it became clear that my skin wasn’t adjusting in a positive direction. At that point, I decided to discontinue use on my face.

Therefore

While VanMan’s Tallow Balm didn’t work for my facial skin, I don’t consider the experiment a failure. It delivered real benefits in terms of hydration, inflammation reduction, and healing, just not without trade-offs. I’ve since continued to use it on my body and lips, where it performs beautifully.

Interestingly, most of the positive reviews I came across were from older users with mature or dry skin types, which makes sense. As an oily type person, breakout-prone skin, it simply wasn’t the right fit for my face.

Pros

- Effectively controls oil production

- Leaves skin soft and hydrated

- Calms inflammation quickly

- Aids in skin healing

Cons

- Caused clogged pores and non-inflamed breakouts

- Scent may be off-putting to some

Conclusion

Beef tallow may be better suited for dry or mature skin types than for younger, oily, or acne-prone skin. While it didn’t replace my entire skincare routine as it has for others, it’s now a go-to for body care and dry patches. I’m returning to a more science-backed approach for my face but I’m glad I gave this trend a fair try.

For someone who needs quick review, I tried beef tallow skincare for two weeks. Loved the hydration and anti-inflammatory effects, but it clogged my pores. Works well on the body, but not for my breakout-prone face. Likely a better fit for mature or dry skin types.