Does Tallow Lotion Clog Pores? What You Should Know Before You Use It on Your Face

As the clean beauty movement gains momentum, one surprising contender has emerged from the pastures of tradition and into modern skincare routines: tallow. Made from rendered beef fat—typically grass-fed and minimally processed—tallow is lauded by its advocates for its skin affinity and nourishing profile. But skeptics often raise a fair question: Does tallow lotion clog pores?

The short answer: Tallow will not clog pores if it’s formulated properly.

In skincare terminology, pore-clogging potential is measured by a scale known as the comedogenic rating, which ranks ingredients from 0 (won’t clog pores) to 5 (likely to clog pores). Pure grass-fed tallow typically falls between a 1 and 2, meaning it's generally considered low on the comedogenic scale. That’s lower than coconut oil (a 4), shea butter (2-3), and even some plant-based oils commonly used in “clean” moisturizers.

The reason tallow plays so well with skin comes down to its structural similarity to our own sebum—the skin’s natural oil. It's rich in fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) and contains fatty acids like palmitic and oleic acid that help restore skin’s barrier without suffocating it.

That said, not all tallow products are created equal. Some DIY or whipped versions include comedogenic carrier oils, improper emulsifiers, or excess essential oils, which can increase the risk of breakouts. Look for a tallow cream that uses cold-pressed, non-comedogenic oils (like jojoba or grapeseed), avoids synthetic fillers, and is microbatched for purity.

At Garden Club, our Pomegranate Renewing Cream is formulated with skin in mind. We blend grass-fed tallow with seabuckthorn oil—a known anti-inflammatory, antioxidant-rich oil that supports collagen production—and other botanicals chosen for their pore-safe profiles. The result is a luxurious, non-greasy cream that hydrates deeply without clogging pores.

Bottom line: When sourced well and paired with the right ingredients, tallow is not only unlikely to clog pores—it may help balance them.