What Is a Comedogenic Rating—and Where Does Tallow Really Rank?

Many skincare products brag about being “non-comedogenic,” but what does that mean? The comedogenic scale rates ingredients based on how likely they are to clog pores, from 0 (won’t clog) to 5 (very likely to clog). Coconut oil, for example, ranks around 4—great for some skin types, but often a breakout trigger for others.

Tallow generally ranks between 1 and 2 on the scale, depending on purity and skin type. So that means tallow will not clog your pores. Tallow is considered low risk for clogging pores, especially when sourced from grass-fed animals and blended with non-irritating botanicals. It’s also packed with naturally occurring vitamins and fatty acids your skin already recognizes—so it nourishes without overwhelming.

At Garden Club, our Tallow Cream is carefully formulated to be gentle, effective, and supportive of your skin barrier. If you’ve been hesitant to try animal-based skincare, know that tallow’s comedogenic profile is actually very friendly—especially when compared to trendier “natural” oils that can do more harm than good.