Does Tallow Clog Pores? Here’s What Science (and Your Skin) Says

It's a fair question to ask "Won’t that clog my pores?" when people hear about using tallow on their skin. But here’s the truth: tallow from grass-fed cows has a fatty acid profile that closely mirrors our own skin’s natural oils. This means that it’s easily absorbed and less likely to cause congestion compared to oils that sit heavy on the surface—like coconut oil, which actually ranks higher on the comedogenic scale.

Tallow is naturally rich in vitamins A, D, E, and K, all of which play a role in skin cell repair, elasticity, and calming inflammation—exactly what your skin needs when it’s angry or breaking out. The issue with many commercial moisturizers is that they include synthetic fillers, emulsifiers, and preservatives that do block pores. Tallow? It keeps things simple and skin-friendly.

So while everyone’s skin reacts differently, the science says that tallow is one of the most bioavailable, non-clogging moisturizers out there—especially when it’s pure and paired with clean, thoughtful ingredients like we use in Garden Club’s Tallow Creams.