Amastra · Rooted in Ayurveda

Tallow skincare

VediKure tallow skincare is a range of whipped beef tallow creams made in the United States for dry and sensitive skin. Tallow's fatty acid profile closely resembles human sebum, so this tallow moisturizer absorbs rather than sitting on the surface. Each jar holds five ingredients: grass-fed beef tallow, organic olive oil, organic jojoba oil and two essential oils. Available in three botanical scents.

The three side by side

Same base, same size, same price. Here is everything that actually differs - the base of every tallow jar is grass-fed and grass-finished beef tallow, organic extra virgin olive oil and organic golden jojoba oil.

Amastra tallow cream - Lemongrass & Lavender vs Peaceful Night vs Orange & Bergamot

Lemongrass & LavenderPeaceful NightOrange & Bergamot
Essential oilsLemongrass, lavenderFir needle, lavenderSweet orange, bergamot
Scent familyHerbal, greenWoody, coolCitrus, bright
Best time of dayAnyEveningMorning, with SPF over it
BaseIdentical in all threeIdentical in all threeIdentical in all three
Ingredient count555
Size2 oz / 56 g2 oz / 56 g2 oz / 56 g
Price$27.00$27.00$27.00
Fragrance-freeNoNoNo

Who tallow cream suits

  • A good fit if

    • You want beef tallow for skin that is dry, tight or flaky, particularly in winter
    • You want to read the whole ingredient list in one breath - there are five
    • You prefer one product over a multi-step routine
    • You're avoiding water-based lotions and the preservatives they require
    • You don't mind a balm texture that takes a few minutes to absorb

  • Probably not for you if

    • You're vegan - tallow is rendered beef fat
    • You have oily or acne-prone skin. Tallow has never actually been tested on the comedogenic scale; the ratings circulating online are estimated from its fatty acid content, not measured. Some people tolerate it well and some break out. Patch-test on the jawline for two weeks before going full-face
    • You need something fragrance-free - all three formulas contain essential oils
    • You want a light lotion that absorbs instantly under makeup
    • You're treating a diagnosed skin condition. These are cosmetic moisturisers, not treatments, and a dermatologist is the right first stop

  • What's in it

    Five ingredients. That's the whole label - the first three are identical across all three creams, and only the two essential oils change. Tallow also naturally contains the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K.

    • Grass-fed & finished beef tallow
    • Organic extra virgin olive oil
    • Organic golden jojoba oil
    • Two organic essential oils

  • What's not

    No water in the formula, so nothing needs preserving.

    • Water
    • Preservatives
    • Parabens
    • Synthetic fragrance
    • Mineral oil
    • Artificial colour


How to use it

Tallow is solid at room temperature and melts on contact with skin, so how you apply it matters more than how much you use.

  1. 1Warm it first

    Take a small amount onto your fingertips and rub them together for a few seconds until it turns from solid to oil.

  2. 2Massage in

    Gently massage into the skin rather than dragging it across. It should absorb fully after a few minutes.

  3. 3Try damp skin

    Applying to slightly damp skin after washing helps a smaller amount cover more area. Worth trying if the balm feels heavy.

  4. 4Use less than you think

    If skin still feels greasy ten minutes later, you've used too much. Most people need noticeably less than with a conventional lotion.

Common questions

What is tallow cream?

Tallow cream uses rendered beef fat as the moisturising base instead of water and emulsifiers. Because there's no water in the formula, it doesn't need preservatives. Tallow shares several fatty acids with the oils human skin produces, which is the usual explanation for why it absorbs rather than sitting on the surface.

Is this a tallow balm or a tallow cream?

Technically a tallow balm. In skincare, a true cream contains water and needs preservatives. These formulas contain no water, so they are anhydrous balms with a cream-like texture. We call them creams because that describes how they feel, not what category they sit in.

What happens if my jar melts?

Tallow melts at around 85°F, so a jar left in a hot car or a summer bathroom can liquefy and the oils may separate. Stir it gently and put it in the fridge until it firms up. The formula isn't damaged - the texture may just be slightly grainier afterwards.

Does tallow clog pores?

Honestly, nobody knows for certain. Tallow has never been formally tested on the comedogenic scale - the ratings you'll find online are estimated from its fatty acid profile, and that scale itself came from 1970s rabbit-ear testing that many dermatologists now consider a poor predictor of behaviour on human faces. In practice some acne-prone people tolerate it and others break out. Patch-test on the jawline for two weeks before applying it to your whole face.

Is there an unscented version?

Not currently. All three Amastra creams contain two organic essential oils. If you react to essential oils, this range isn't the right fit - that's the most common cause of reactions in natural skincare, more so than the tallow base itself.

Does it smell like beef?

Well-rendered tallow has very little smell of its own, and in these formulas the essential oils are what you notice - herbal in Lemongrass & Lavender, woody in Peaceful Night, citrus in Orange & Bergamot.

How is this different from shea butter?

Both are solid fats used as single-ingredient moisturisers and neither contains water. The practical difference is source and feel: shea is plant-derived and vegan, tallow is animal-derived and generally sits lighter on the skin. Shea is the closer substitute if you're avoiding animal products.

Can I use it on my face and body?

Yes - it's the same formula either way. A small amount goes a long way on the face; for elbows, knees, hands and other dry patches you'll want more.

Why does it cost more per ounce than a drugstore lotion?

Conventional lotions are mostly water, typically 60-80%. There's no water in this formula, so a 2 oz jar is 2 oz of oils and fat. It's not a like-for-like comparison by volume.

Is tallow cream vegan?

No. Tallow is rendered from beef fat, so none of the three creams are vegan or vegetarian.