Yes.

Tallow can absolutely be used on your face.

The more useful question is:

Does your face actually like it?

Because those are not the same thing.

Why people use tallow on their face

Facial skin gets exposed to a lot.

Wind. Cold. Cleansing. Makeup. Indoor heat. Dry air. Shaving. Exfoliation. Sunscreen. Whatever twelve products TikTok told you to buy this week.

A lipid-rich moisturizer can help soften dry skin and reduce water loss from its surface.

For someone whose face constantly feels tight after washing or dry by the middle of the afternoon, that can feel fantastic.

But facial skin isn't the same for everyone

If your face tends to be:

• dry
• tight
• flaky
• easily stripped
• exposed to cold or dry air

you may love a richer moisturizer.

If you're very oily or prone to congestion, you may prefer something lighter — or use tallow only where you're dry.

Skincare doesn't have to be all-or-nothing.

How much tallow should you use?

Probably less than you think.

Especially with an anhydrous balm, start tiny.

Warm a small amount between your fingers and press it into the areas that need it.

Your face does not need to look freshly basted.

If your skin remains greasy for hours, use less next time.

Should your face be wet first?

If you're using an anhydrous tallow balm, applying it to slightly damp skin can work beautifully.

The water provides hydration.

The fats help slow its escape.

A tallow cream that already contains a water phase can usually be applied directly to clean skin.

Morning or night?

Either.

Use it when you need it.

I am far less interested in assigning products to elaborate morning and evening routines than I am in paying attention to the skin in front of you.

Dry today?

Use more.

Comfortable today?

Leave it alone.

Can you use it around your eyes?

A simple facial moisturizer is often used around the orbital area, but keep any cosmetic product out of the eyes themselves and stop using anything that causes irritation.

You also do not need a separate tiny jar because someone printed eye cream on it.

Tallow doesn't need to become your personality

This is probably my biggest piece of advice.

You don't have to “switch to tallow” and purge your bathroom in a ceremonial fire.

Try it.

See how your skin feels.

Adjust.

Your skin gets the final vote.

For faces, we make two: Purist Whipped Body Butter (with jojoba) and Purist Face (with olive squalane). Some skin prefers one oil over the other, so see which yours likes. New to tallow? Start with Tallow for Skin: What It Is, What It Does, and Who It’s For.