The Facts About Coconut Oil vs Tallow in Skincare

What you need to know about the benefits of coconut oil and tallow for your skin.

When it comes to skincare oils, two heavyweights tend to steal the spotlight: coconut oil and tallow. They are both great oils, but I’d say there is a clear winner. Let’s dive into the details and weigh the pros and cons of each.

Coconut Oil: A Classic Favorite 🌴

Coconut oil has been a staple in kitchens and bathrooms around the world for centuries. Let’s break it down:

Pros of Coconut Oil

• Affordable & Easy to Find 💸
  Coconut oil is easy to get your hands on. You can find it at pretty much any grocery store, whether you're at Walmart or your local organic market. It's cheap and ready when you need it.

• Natural & Minimal Ingredients 🌱
  Because coconut oil comes from coconuts (surprise!), it’s about as natural as it gets. You won’t find unnecessary additives or preservatives, making it a better option than a lot of the lotions on store shelves.

• Moisturizes Well 💧
  Coconut oil is an oil-based moisturizer, which means it’s going to lock in moisture better than most water-based options. It’s perfect for helping your skin feel hydrated and smooth.

• Time-Tested ⏳
  People have been using coconut oil for centuries! It's a well-established option, which means we can trust it won’t cause major issues for most people.

Cons of Coconut Oil

• Doesn’t Absorb as Well 🤔
  While coconut oil is moisturizing, it doesn’t absorb as well into our skin as tallow does. Since it’s plant-based and we’re, well, human, it can sometimes leave you with a greasy feeling.

• Higher Comedogenic Rating 🚫
  Coconut oil has a high comedogenic rating (4 out of 5), which means it’s more likely to clog your pores. If you have acne-prone or oily skin, this could be an issue.

• Not as Beneficial for Skin Repair 💔
  While coconut oil has moisturizing qualities, it doesn’t pack the same vitamin punch that tallow does. Tallow is full of skin-loving nutrients like vitamins A, D, and K, which help repair and nourish the skin more effectively.

Tallow: The Skin’s Best Friend 🐄

Tallow might not be as common as coconut oil, but it has a lot to offer (plus, it’s been around for centuries). Let’s explore why it might just be the perfect option for your skin.

Pros of Tallow

• Perfectly Compatible with Our Skin 💖
  Tallow is a natural fit for human skin because it comes from animals, and our skin shares a similar chemical makeup to animal fats. That makes it much more compatible than plant oils like coconut.

• Low Comedogenic Rating ✨
  Tallow has a very low comedogenic rating (1-2 out of 5), which means it won’t clog your pores. In fact, it’s great for keeping your skin balanced and smooth without the greasiness.

• Packed with Skin-Loving Vitamins 🌟
  Tallow is full of beneficial vitamins like A, E, D, and K. These are fat-soluble vitamins that help your skin regenerate and stay healthy—something coconut oil can’t do as well.

• A Little Goes a Long Way 🏃‍♀️
  If you’re used to slathering on tons of coconut oil, you might need to adjust your mindset. With tallow, you don’t need to use as much. A small amount goes a long way, making it a more efficient and long-lasting option.

Cons of Tallow

• Hard to Source 🌾
  Good quality tallow is not exactly easy to find. The best tallow comes from grass-fed, grass-finished cattle, and the suet (a special kind of fat) from these cows is in limited supply—typically a few pounds per cow (that’s not a very big percentage of the cow).

• More Expensive 💰
  Because of its limited availability and the sourcing process, tallow can be more expensive than coconut oil. But, the saying “You get what you pay for” holds true in this situation.

Conclusion: The Verdict 🏆

So, which oil is better for your skin?

It really depends on your needs. Coconut oil is cheap, accessible, and effective for basic moisturizing, but it may not be the best fit if you have acne-prone skin or are looking for something with more skin-repairing benefits.

Tallow, on the other hand, is a skin powerhouse—especially for those looking for nutrients and compatibility. Sure, it can be harder to source and a bit pricier, but if you're after something that works with your skin to heal and protect it, it’s worth considering.

Of course, I’m a little biased (I own a tallow company after all! 😆), but I truly believe tallow has the edge on long-term skin benefits.

Try It for Yourself! 🛍

If you want to experience the magic of tallow, along with thousands of others, head over to my website, Arete Tallow, and check out my luxurious tallow balms. I’ve got a few amazing scents you’ll love:

• Unscented – perfect for sensitive skin

• Tea Tree – antibacterial (great for acne-prone skin!)

• Lavender – calming and anti-aging

• Orange – uplifting and refreshing

Don’t just take my word for it—try some tallow today and let your skin feel the difference. 🌟

Thanks for reading,

Serena