No clinical trial has tested tallow balm on eczema. Brands claim it works. No trial backs that up.
This page covers the research, what dermatologists recommend, and how to test a balm without making your skin worse.
What the research says about tallow
A 2024 scoping review in Cureus looked at every study on tallow and skin it could find. It screened 147 studies and kept 19. They were comparative studies, lab studies and animal studies.
The authors say more research is needed on tallow as a cosmetic in humans. Side effects had the most conflicting results, so they call for controlled trials (Russell et al., 2024).
No clinical trial of tallow for eczema shows up in PubMed. So you can’t say tallow treats eczema. You can say people use it as a moisturizer.
What dermatologists recommend for eczema
The American Academy of Dermatology guideline for atopic dermatitis puts moisturizers at the center of care. It says they should be an integral part of treatment, and that strong evidence shows they reduce disease severity and the need for medicine. Apply them soon after bathing.
Topical corticosteroids come next, for people who don’t respond to good skin care. The guideline also recommends using them proactively once or twice a week to keep flares away. It says to avoid long continuous use, because any steroid can thin the skin (Eichenfield et al., 2014).
The guideline dates from 2014. Its authors include dermatologists and representatives of the National Eczema Association and the AAD.
Should you stop your steroid cream for tallow?
No. Nothing shows a balm can replace a prescribed treatment.
If the steroid worries you, tell your doctor. Skin thinning is the main concern, and the guideline links it to high potency, long use, thin skin and covering the skin. A doctor can lower the strength or change the schedule. You can’t do that safely on your own.
How to try a tallow balm
If you want to try one, treat it like any new moisturizer.
- Pick a short ingredient list with no fragrance. The guideline says an ideal eczema product is free of additives, fragrances and perfumes.
- Skip essential oils. Don’t stir lavender or frankincense into a homemade balm. They’re fragrance additives.
- Test a small patch first. Wait a day. If it itches, burns or turns red, don’t use it.
- Apply it to damp skin soon after a bath or shower.
- Don’t put it on weeping, crusted or infected skin. See a doctor.
- Ask a pediatrician before you use any new product on a baby with eczema.
Tallow balms sold for eczema
Seven brands sell tallow balms marketed for eczema. None of them has trial data, so read the ingredient list instead of the testimonials.
- Vintage Tradition
- Buffalo Gal Grassfed Beauty
- EVIL GOODS!
- Farwell Lake Homestead
- Toups and Co Organics
- Primally Pure
- The Tallow Company
Questions
Does tallow balm work for eczema?
No trial has tested it. The research on tallow and skin is lab, animal and comparison work.
Can tallow replace my steroid cream?
No. Don’t stop a prescribed treatment without talking to your doctor.
Is tallow balm safe for babies?
No trial has tested it in babies with eczema. Ask your pediatrician first.
What should a balm contain?
A short ingredient list and no fragrance. The AAD guideline says additives and fragrances are what to avoid.