Beef Tallow vs Sheep Tallow: Which One is Best for Skincare?

The first thing I did when my sheep tallow finally arrived? I put a dab on my left hand and beef tallow on my right. My husband walked by and said, "Why are you staring at your hands?" Well, sweetie, because the difference was remarkable.

I wasn't prepared for how soft sheep tallow feels. Imagine butter left on the counter on a warm spring day – that's sheep tallow at room temperature. It melted instantly when I touched it, spreading like a whisper across my skin. Within 10-15 minutes, it had completely absorbed, leaving behind what I can only describe as a silk veil. No grease. No residue. Just... softness.

My research told me this happens because sheep tallow has more oleic acid – the same component that makes olive oil absorb so nicely. "It's as close to human sebum as it gets.

Beef Tallow: The Protective Friend

Now, beef tallow – my old faithful – feels completely different. It's firmer, like a good salve should be. I need to warm it between my palms first (which I actually love – it's like a little ritual). Once it melts, it spreads more slowly, more deliberately. You can feel it creating a barrier on your skin.

Here's the thing: beef tallow takes its sweet time absorbing – about 20-30 minutes. During our Quebec winters, that's actually a blessing. It's like wearing an invisible wool mitten on your face. My husband jokes that he can always tell when I've applied it because my cheeks have that "dewy glow" for a good half hour.

The higher palmitic acid (25-27% compared to sheep's lower amount) is what creates this protective shield. It's why my son's eczema responded so well – his skin needed that extra barrier to heal.

The Morning vs. Evening Dilemma

Here's where it gets practical. When I'm rushing to get four kids ready, sheep tallow would be my pick. It absorbs fast enough that I could apply makeup over it without waiting. But I don't have sheep tallow in my workshop, and there's a reason for that (which we'll get to).

For bedtime? Or before heading out to our Saturday farmers market in January? Beef tallow wins. That slow absorption isn't a bug – it's a feature. It keeps working while you sleep or shields your face from the wind all morning long.

The Truth Neither Side Tells You

Can I be completely honest? On my normal skin, I barely notice the difference after an hour. Both leave my skin feeling nourished. Both work. The dramatic texture difference matters most in those first 30 minutes.

But here's what really struck me, it's not true for everyone. People with rosacea might not tolerate the beef tallow – it might feel too heavy, too occlusive. But the sheep tallow? Might be a much better moisturizer for this case. 

Meanwhile, some with paper-thin, dry winter skin? Can find sheep tallow "disappeared too fast" and went back to beef.

So who's right? They both are. And that's the beautiful, frustrating truth about skincare – our skin is as individual as we are.

What's Actually Inside? The Vitamin and Nutrition Story

When customers ask me about the nutritional benefits of tallow, I want to give them facts. So I researched what's actually in these products we're putting on our skin.

The Numbers I Found

According to USDA data, beef tallow contains tiny amounts of vitamins – 0.35mg of Vitamin E per tablespoon, trace amounts of Vitamin D, and some choline. These amounts are so small they're almost negligible for skincare purposes.

For sheep tallow? I couldn't find comparable USDA data or reliable nutritional breakdowns from scientific sources. This gap in information is frustrating when trying to make an honest comparison.

The Grass-Fed Difference

Here's what does matter: grass-fed versus grain-fed makes a real difference. Research shows grass-fed beef tallow has an omega-3 to omega-6 ratio of 1.4:1 – which is anti-inflammatory. Grain-fed beef tallow? That ratio jumps to 16:1 in favor of omega-6, which can promote inflammation.

This same research doesn't exist for sheep tallow varieties, though it's reasonable to assume grass-fed sheep tallow would similarly be superior to grain-fed.

What the Research Actually Says

A 2024 scientific review analyzed 19 studies on tallow for skincare. The findings: tallow can increase skin fatty acid concentration by 3.7-fold, supporting hydration through its biocompatible lipid structure.

But here's the critical detail – these studies focused almost exclusively on beef tallow. The scientific research on sheep tallow for skincare is extremely limited.

The Trans Fat Question

One documented difference: sheep tallow contains higher levels of trans fatty acids compared to beef tallow. While we know dietary trans fats are harmful, research on topical application of trans fats is limited. This creates uncertainty that some may find concerning.

The Fatty Acids That Matter

Both beef and sheep tallow contain palmitic, stearic, and oleic acids – fatty acids that mirror our skin's natural composition. This similarity is likely why both can be effective moisturizers. Beef tallow typically contains 25-27% palmitic acid, while sheep tallow has slightly less, contributing to their different textures.

The Bottom Line on Nutrition

Based on available data :

• Grass-fed beef tallow has documented nutritional advantages
• Sheep tallow lacks comprehensive nutritional studies
• Both contain skin-compatible fatty acids
• Neither provides significant vitamin content for topical use

The frustrating truth: We can't definitively say one is nutritionally superior because comparative studies simply don't exist. Beef tallow appears better on paper, but that might be because it's been studied more extensively, not because it's inherently superior.

When choosing between them, the nutritional argument favors beef tallow – but only because we have more information about it, not because we've proven sheep tallow inferior.

The Price Tag and the Three-Week Wait

Let's talk about the elephant in the room – what this actually costs and whether you can even find it.

The Price Reality Check

When I researched prices for this comparison, the numbers made me blink twice:

Beef tallow: $2-15 per ounce, depending on quality and source

Sheep tallow: $15-25 per ounce when you can find it

That's not a typo. Sheep tallow costs 2-3 times more than beef tallow. For a family using tallow daily, that difference adds up quickly.

The Availability Problem

Here's what I discovered when trying to source both:

Beef tallow is everywhere. I found over 50 brands selling it online, plus local suppliers, farmers' markets, and health stores. I can order it today and have it by Thursday. Some of you might even get it from your local butcher for free.

Sheep tallow is a completely different story. I found 3-5 specialty brands, mostly based in the UK or New Zealand. My order took three weeks to arrive. The shipping cost? Almost as much as the product itself.

Why Such a Difference?

The beef industry is massive, making beef tallow a natural byproduct that's readily available. Most North American processors are set up for cattle, not sheep.

Sheep farming here focuses on meat and wool, not tallow. The few companies making sheep tallow skincare are small, artisanal operations – which explains both the premium price and limited availability.

What This Means for You

If you're looking to try tallow skincare tomorrow, beef tallow is your realistic option. You could probably find some locally within the week.

If you're set on trying sheep tallow, you'll need:

• Patience for shipping times
• A budget that can handle the premium price
• Backup plans when it's out of stock (which happens frequently)

The Hidden Cost

There's another cost to consider: consistency. When I make products for my family or customers, I need reliable suppliers. I can get consistent, quality beef tallow year-round from multiple sources. If one supplier has issues, I have alternatives.

With sheep tallow? You're dependent on those few specialty suppliers. If they're out of stock or stop shipping to Canada, you're stuck.

The Price Tag and the Wait

Let's talk about the elephant in the room – what this actually costs and whether you can even find it.

The Price Reality Check

When I researched prices for this comparison, the numbers made me blink twice:

Beef tallow: $2-15 per ounce, depending on quality and source Sheep tallow: $15-25 per ounce when you can find it

That's not a typo. Sheep tallow costs 2-3 times more than beef tallow. For a family using tallow daily, that difference adds up quickly.

The Availability Problem

Here's what I discovered when trying to source both:

Beef tallow is everywhere. I found over 50 brands selling it online, plus local suppliers, farmers' markets, and health stores. I can order it today and have it by Thursday. Some of you might even get it from your local butcher for free.

Sheep tallow is a completely different story. It's more expensive and reliable large scale suppliers are few. Since, for me, locally sourced is part of our mission, we are not able to make our product with it.

Why Such a Difference?

The beef industry is massive, making beef tallow a natural byproduct that's readily available. Most North American processors are set up for cattle, not sheep.

Sheep farming here focuses on meat and wool, not tallow. The few companies making sheep tallow skincare are small, artisanal operations – which explains both the premium price and limited availability.

What This Means for You

If you're looking to try tallow skincare tomorrow, beef tallow is your realistic option. You could probably find some locally within the week.

If you're set on trying sheep tallow, you'll need:

• Patience for shipping times
• A budget that can handle the premium price
• Backup plans when it's out of stock (which happens frequently)

The Hidden Cost

There's another cost to consider: consistency. When I make products for my family or customers, I need reliable suppliers. I can get consistent, quality beef tallow year-round from multiple sources. If one supplier has issues, I have alternatives.

With sheep tallow? You're dependent on those few specialty suppliers. If they're out of stock or stop shipping to Canada, you're stuck.

My Practical Take

My husband and I would love to go beyond sourcing locally – we'd LOVE to be the source itself. Becoming shepherds is actually on our bucket list. So if we end up with a flock grazing in our Rigaud fields someday, we might include sheep tallow in our mix to cater to different skin types.

But until then, I can't build a business – or a skincare routine – on something that might take three weeks to arrive and costs triple the price. For those with unlimited budgets and patience, sheep tallow's availability might not matter. For the rest of us living real lives with real budgets? The cost and accessibility difference is huge.

The hard truth: Even if sheep tallow were slightly better (and we haven't established that it is), is it three times better? That's a question only you can answer for your family.

The Daily Reality: Living with Each Tallow

After weeks of testing both tallows side by side, here's what daily use actually looks like.

The Morning Rush vs Evening Ritual

Mornings in our house are... chaotic. Four kids, one bathroom, and everyone needs to be somewhere. If I were using sheep tallow, its 10-15 minute absorption time would work perfectly. Apply, brush teeth, and by the time I'm ready for the day, my skin is too.

But beef tallow? I need to plan for that 20-30 minute absorption. Which is why I save it for evenings, when that slow melt becomes part of my wind-down ritual. There's something meditative about warming it between my palms while the house finally quiets down.

The Scent Story

Here's something nobody talks about enough: the smell.

Sheep tallow is nearly odorless. Even straight from the container, it barely has any scent. For facial application or those sensitive to smells, this is a genuine blessing.

Beef tallow – let's be honest – can smell beefy if not properly rendered. Good quality, properly cleaned beef tallow has a mild, almost sweet scent. But I've tested some that smell like Sunday roast. Fine for hands and body, but on your face? That takes some getting used to. That's why we go above and beyond in our own tallow rendering, purification and deodorization process.

I've learned to love the mild, natural scent of our beef tallow. It smells like... authenticity, I suppose. But I understand why some people can't get past it.

Storage and Shelf Life

Both tallows last about 12 months at room temperature, 24 months in the fridge. But here's what I've noticed: grass-fed versions of both seem to stay fresh longer, probably due to higher antioxidant content.

In summer, both get softer. In winter, firmer. Sheep tallow changes more dramatically with temperature because of its softer base texture. I keep mine in a cool cupboard year-round, and it's been perfect.

The Comedogenic Question

Both tallows score a 2 on the comedogenic scale – meaning they're unlikely to clog pores for most people. But "most" isn't "all."

Some people break out from beef tallow's heavier texture. Others find sheep tallow doesn't provide enough moisture. Your skin will tell you quickly which camp you're in. Start with a patch test, especially if you're acne-prone.

So, Which Is Actually Best?

After all this research, all this testing, all these late nights comparing studies and prices... what's my honest answer?

For most of us, beef tallow is the practical winner. Not because it's dramatically superior in performance, but because you can actually get it, afford it, and rely on it.

The science supports it (though mainly because it's been studied more). The price makes sense for daily use. The availability means you won't run out and wait three weeks for shipping from New Zealand.

But Sheep Tallow Shines For...

• Those with extremely sensitive facial skin who find beef tallow too heavy
• People who can't tolerate any scent near their face
• Anyone needing fast absorption for morning routines
• Those with rosacea or similar conditions
• People who simply prefer lighter textures and have the budget for premium products

The Quality Truth That Matters Most

Here's what I've learned matters more than beef versus sheep: the quality of your source.

Grass-fed, properly rendered, single-ingredient tallow – whether from beef or sheep – will outperform any poorly sourced version. I'd take high-quality beef tallow over questionable sheep tallow any day, and vice versa.

My Family's Choice

We use beef tallow. We love beef tallow. It healed my son's eczema, protects our skin through Quebec winters, and comes from farms I can visit with my children. The fact that it costs less and arrives reliably? That just makes the decision easier.

Would I try sheep tallow if we had those dreamed-of sheep grazing in our fields? Absolutely. Would I offer it to customers who need something lighter, faster-absorbing? In a heartbeat.

But for now, for most of us, beef tallow offers everything we need: traditional wisdom that works, ingredients we can source responsibly, and skincare we can actually afford to use every day.

The Permission You Need

If you're overwhelmed by this choice, here's my advice: start with what you can find locally. Try beef tallow from a good source. See how your skin responds. You can always explore sheep tallow later if you're curious or if beef doesn't work for you.

There's no skincare police. No one's judging your choice. What matters is finding what makes your skin happy – and that might be beef tallow, sheep tallow, or something else entirely.

From my workshop to your home, I hope this helps you make the choice that's right for your family. Because at the end of the day, the best skincare is the one you'll actually use, can actually afford, and that actually works for your unique, beautiful skin.

With warm wishes from Rigaud, Annie