Is Tallow and Honey Balm a good moisturizer? As a stay-at-home mom of three, I don’t have the luxury of an elaborate 10-step Korean skincare regimen (though I’ve tried a few in the past). What I need is something simple, natural, and effective.
So when I heard of Tallow & Honey Balm, my curiosity was instantly piqued. The idea of using beef fat (yes, beef fat!) mixed with honey as a moisturizer sounded strange at first, but also kind of genius. I mean, if our great-grandmothers swore by it, maybe they were onto something.
And so, after some hesitation and a fair bit of side-eye from my husband, I ordered a jar. Here’s my full experience after two weeks of using it on my face.
About Tallow and Honey Balm
The Tallow & Honey Balm I bought is from Ancestral Cosmetics. They market their Tallow & Honey Balm as a back-to-basics, ancestral remedy for skin health. The product is made from grass-fed beef tallow, raw honey, beeswax, and in some blends, essential oils.
Why these ingredients?
- Tallow – Rich in vitamins A, D, E, and K, and has a fatty acid profile very similar to human skin, making it deeply nourishing.
- Honey – Naturally antibacterial and hydrating, helping calm redness and acne.
- Beeswax – Seals in moisture and gives the balm its structure.
My experience using Ancestral Cosmetics Tallow & Honey Balm
I really wanted to love this balm, but my first impression was… intense.
The moment I opened the jar, I was hit with a strong patchouli scent. I’m talking overpowering, like stepping into the back room of a head shop. I love natural products, but this was way too much for my face. The smell lingered on my hands and even on my pillow when I applied it before bed.
Texture-wise, the balm was wonderful. Thick, creamy, and buttery, it melted between my fingers and applied smoothly on my skin. A small amount was enough to cover my entire face, and I could tell it would lock in moisture overnight. My skin felt soft and nourished by morning.
I tried to power through the scent because I wanted to give it a fair shot. For a few nights, I applied it before bed and woke up with noticeably softer skin. But each night, the patchouli became harder to ignore. I love earthy scents, but this one just didn’t work for me.
Hoping it might be a batch issue, I reached out to Ancestral Cosmetics customer support to ask about unscented options. Unfortunately, I never got a response. That was disappointing—good customer care would have made a big difference, especially for a product that is so personal.
At the end of the day, the balm itself is solid in texture and moisturizing power, but the overpowering fragrance makes it unusable for me. I’d rather smell like plain tallow than patchouli.
Pros
- Made with natural, clean ingredients
- Rich, buttery texture that melts into skin
- Deeply moisturizing, even for dry or sensitive skin
- Multi-purpose: can be used on face, hands, or body
Cons
- Patchouli scent is overpowering
- Pricey for something I couldn’t fully enjoy
Is It Safe?
Yes. As long as it’s sourced from grass-fed tallow and raw honey (which Ancestral Cosmetics claims), it’s safe for most skin types. However, if you’re allergic to bee products you shouldn’t use as it contains both honey and beeswax.
Better Alternatives
After my experience, I decided to try a handful of Tallow and Honey Balms as recommended by a reddit reviewer. I ordered the two best rated ones from Amazon.com.
1. VanMan Tallow & Honey Balm
- Scent: Mild, a bit like spiced lard. Tolerable if you’re okay with a subtle earthy smell, but not refreshing or sweet.
- Texture: Rich and creamy, similar to Harvest & Herd, spreads smoothly.
- Moisturizing Power: Very good. Keeps skin hydrated for hours.
- Value: Medium. Works well but some of their specialty balms (like bison) are very expensive.
2. Harvest & Herd Citrus & Honey Balm
- Scent: Refreshing, bright citrus. Smells like a freshly peeled orange; perfect for mornings after the shower! Very natural and pleasant.
- Texture: Smooth and creamy, not whipped fluff, spreads easily.
- Moisturizing Power: Excellent. Locks in hydration without feeling greasy.
- Value: High. Works better than most others, reasonably priced, and lasts a long time.
- Bonus: Loved by my whole family. We keep jars in multiple bathrooms.
Best-Selling Affordable Alternatives on Amazon
If you’re curious about natural moisturizers but don’t want to drop $45 on a jar of tallow, here are some Amazon best-sellers that deliver similar results:
- Weleda Skin Food – A cult favorite, thick plant-based cream that deeply nourishes.
- Egyptian Magic Cream – Made with olive oil, honey, beeswax, and propolis; multipurpose and celebrity-loved.
- Era Organics Face Cream – Gentle, organic, plant-based moisturizer that’s non-greasy.
- Aquaphor Healing Ointment – Affordable, dermatologist-recommended skin barrier repair.
- Eucerin Original Healing Cream – Rich, fragrance-free moisturizer for very dry or sensitive skin.
All of these are widely available, more affordable, and don’t carry the “ancestral” branding markup.
Final Thoughts
As a mom juggling kids, housework, and self-care, I wanted this balm to be a simple, effective solution for dry skin. While Ancestral Cosmetics Original Tallow & Honey Balm has a great texture and moisturizing power, the patchouli scent ruined it for me, and the lack of customer support was frustrating.
If you love earthy, strong fragrances, you may adore this balm. But for someone like me, looking for a gentle, natural moisturizer, I’d recommend an unscented or lightly scented tallow balm instead.