Frequently Asked Questions
What is tallow balm, and why do you use it?
Tallow balm is a deeply nourishing, all-natural moisturizer made from rendered beef suet, the nutrient-rich fat surrounding the kidneys of healthy, grass-fed cattle. We use this traditional ingredient because itโs naturally high in skin-essential vitamins A, D, E, and K, and its fatty acid profile closely mirrors that of our own skin. This biological similarity means it absorbs easily, strengthens the skin barrier, and delivers lasting hydration without irritation.
Tallow has been trusted for generations as a staple in natural skincare. We blend it with time-honored ingredients like raw honey, beeswax, olive oil, and jojoba to create a balm that not only protects and restores but truly feeds the skin at a cellular level.
Does the balm feel greasy or heavy on the skin?
Not at all. Our balm is formulated to melt effortlessly into your skin, leaving it soft, nourished, and smooth, not oily. We blend rich, grass-fed tallow with cold-pressed olive and jojoba oil and just enough beeswax to create a balanced, breathable texture. It absorbs especially well when applied to warm or slightly damp skin, delivering deep hydration without any greasy residue.
Does it have a scent? Iโm worried it might smell like beef.
Donโt worry. Our balm has no funky odor. The traditional rendering process we use removes any meaty scent from the tallow. Each of our balms is either unscented or lightly scented with pure essential oils, so it smells pleasant and natural. For example, some versions have a gentle hint of citrus, or woodsy notes from essential oils, but we never use artificial fragrances. If you choose our Unscented Pure balm, youโll simply notice the subtle, clean aroma of the ingredients themselves (and definitely no smell of beef!).
Is this product suitable for sensitive skin or people with skin conditions?
Yes! Our balm is formulated to be very gentle and is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. We intentionally leave out any harsh chemicals, synthetic preservatives, or irritants that could trigger reactions. Every ingredient in the jar is natural and skin-friendly, so even individuals with eczema, psoriasis, or very reactive skin have used it with great success. In fact, many customers with delicate skin tell us our balm soothes their irritation and redness. If youโre extra cautious, you can opt for the unscented version, but generally our formula is calming and safe for even the most sensitive skin.
What sets Holistic Heritageโs tallow balm apart from other skincare products?
We take a back-to-basics approach that prioritizes purity, potency, and tradition over trends. What sets our balm apart is a combination of sourcing, formulation, and craftsmanship.
We use only the finest suet, the nutrient-rich fat surrounding the kidneys, sourced from 100% grass-fed Irish cattle. Unlike generic tallow, this specific fat is exceptionally rich in skin-loving vitamins A, D, E, and K, plus omega fatty acids. It also has a cleaner scent and smoother texture, making it ideal for skincare.
Our core formula contains just five ingredients: grass-fed tallow, organic cold-pressed jojoba oil, raw Irish honey, cold-pressed Spanish olive oil, and raw Irish beeswax. Jojoba is a skin-balancing oil that mimics your skinโs natural sebum, helping the balm absorb quickly and hydrate deeply without clogging pores. Scented versions include carefully selected, mostly organic essential oils. There are no fillers, no water, and no synthetic chemicals, just pure, effective ingredients you can recognize and trust.
While conventional creams rely on preservatives, emulsifiers, and artificial fragrances, we keep things simple. Our minimalist formulation is 100% natural, giving your skin everything it needs, and nothing it doesnโt.
Every jar is handmade in Dublin in small batches. From rendering the tallow by hand to blending each ingredient with care, our artisanal process ensures unmatched quality and attention to detail. We donโt mass-produce or cut corners, this is skincare crafted with integrity.
Rooted in Irish heritage and ancestral wisdom, our skincare philosophy is about returning to what truly works. Tallow balms have been used for generations to heal and protect the skin. By embracing these traditions, we deliver a balm thatโs more than just clean, itโs deeply nourishing, genuinely effective, and built to honor the body.
What ingredients do you use in your balm, and what are their benefits?
We pride ourselves on using a short list of high-quality, natural ingredients, each chosen for a specific skin benefit:
Grass-Fed Organic Tallow (Rendered Suet): The cornerstone of our balm, tallow is rich in vitamins A, D, E, and K and has a fatty acid profile very similar to our skinโs own sebum. This means it deeply nourishes, helps restore elasticity, and supports skin regeneration. Tallowโs nutrients can promote healing and improve skin barrier function, leaving your skin moisturized and balanced.
Cold-Pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil: We use organic extra virgin olive oil thatโs cold-pressed from Spanish olives, which preserves its antioxidants and skin-loving nutrients. Olive oil in our balm softens and hydrates the skin without clogging pores (itโs non-comedogenic). It helps the balm spread easily and delivers essential fatty acids that calm and condition the skin.
Cold-Pressed Organic Jojoba Oil:
Jojoba oil is technically a liquid wax, and its composition closely resembles the natural sebum our skin produces. This makes it highly compatible with all skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone, offering lightweight, non-greasy hydration that helps regulate oil production. Itโs rich in vitamin E and beneficial fatty acids that soften, protect, and smooth the skin. In our balm, jojoba helps enhance absorption, balance the richness of the tallow, and improve overall skin texture without clogging pores.
Raw Irish Beeswax (Virgin Beeswax): Our beeswax is pure and unrefined, just as nature intended. Beeswax acts as a breathable protective barrier on the skin, locking in moisture and shielding your skin from external irritants, all while still letting it breathe. It also has natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. In the balm, it gives a smooth consistency and helps naturally preserve the formula.
Organic Raw Irish Honey: We blend in organic raw, unfiltered honey from local Irish beekeepers. Honey is a natural humectant, meaning it attracts and retains moisture in the skin. Itโs packed with enzymes and has gentle antimicrobial and soothing qualities. This helps calm irritation, reduce redness, and support the skinโs healing processes. Honey gives the balm an extra dose of nourishment and a touch of sweetness (without being sticky).
These five ingredients work in synergy to provide deep hydration, protection, and healing for your skin. We never dilute our balm with water or fillers, so you get the full benefit of each ingredient in every application.
Are there any synthetic chemicals or preservatives in your products?
No. Our products are completely free of synthetic additives! We donโt use any artificial preservatives, parabens, sulfates, phthalates, or any other harsh chemicals. In fact, our entire balm is 100% natural. Because we donโt include water in our formula, thereโs no need for chemical preservatives (water in skincare often necessitates preservatives to prevent spoilage). The natural ingredients themselves, tallow, beeswax, and honey, have inherent preserving qualities that keep the balm fresh. So you can trust that everything in the jar is something that actually benefits your skin, and nothing else.
Do your balms have any fragrance, and are the scents natural?
We offer both scented and unscented options, and we only use natural fragrances. There are no artificial perfumes in our balms. The scented versions are delicately fragranced with pure essential oils.
For example, we have blends like Citrus Grove (scented with lemon and other citrus oils) for a fresh, uplifting scent. We also have varieties like Woodland Breathe (with notes of silver fir and herbs for an earthy, forest scent).
Each scent is derived entirely from botanicals, this means youโre getting aromatherapeutic benefits as well, not just a โperfume.โ
If you prefer no scent at all, our Unscented Pure balm contains only the core ingredients with nothing extra, so it just has a mild natural aroma of the tallow and beeswax.
In short, any fragrance in our product comes straight from nature, keeping it gentle and authentic.
How do I use or apply the tallow balm for best results?
Applying our balm is simple and soothing. Here are some tips for best results:
- Start with a very small amount. A pea-sized dab is enough for most areas. A little goes a long way.
- Soften the balm by rubbing it between your fingertips or palms for a moment. The warmth of your hands will melt it into a silky oil-like texture.
- Gently massage the balm into clean skin. You can apply it anywhere that needs moisture or healing - for instance, your face, lips, hands, cuticles, elbows, knees, or any dry patches.
- For the face or larger areas, it helps to apply to slightly damp skin (right after cleansing or a shower). The moisture on your skin will help the balm spread easily and absorb even deeper.
- You can use the balm both in the morning and at night. Many people like to apply a thin layer in the morning as a protective moisturizer and a slightly thicker layer at night before bed for intensive nourishment. Adjust the aount based on what feels good for your skin - remember, it absorbs well, so you shouldn't be left feeling oily.
As you use the balm, you'll find the right routine that works for you. It's very forgiving - you can't really go wrong, just listen to your skin and apply as needed
Can I use this balm on my face (and other parts of my body)?
Absolutely! Our tallow balm is formulated for head-to-toe use. Itโs gentle and has a low comedogenic rating (meaning it wonโt clog pores), so itโs safe to use on your face as well as on your body. In fact, many people use it as their daily facial moisturizer or night cream. You can also apply it to lips as a balm, on dry hands or feet, on cuticles, or even on minor scrapes or rough spots, anywhere your skin could use nourishment and protection. If your facial skin is naturally very oily or acne-prone, we recommend using just a tiny amount on the face and applying it to damp skin, so it absorbs quickly. Otherwise, feel free to use it liberally on any external skin that needs care. Itโs a true multi-purpose balm.
Is it safe to use on babies or during pregnancy?
Yes, our balm is made of such simple, natural ingredients that itโs generally safe for babies and during pregnancy โ with a few small precautions. For infants and expectant mothers, we strongly suggest using the Unscented Pure version of our balm (which contains no essential oils). The unscented balm is just tallow, olive oil, jojoba oil, honey, and beeswax, making it about as gentle as it gets. Many parents use it on their babies for diaper rash, dry skin, or cradle cap with great results. If youโre pregnant or have a newborn, itโs usually best to avoid essential oils (even natural ones) just to be extra cautious, which is why unscented is ideal. If you do want to use one of the scented balms during pregnancy or on a baby under 6 months, we recommend checking with your healthcare provider to be completely safe. But overall, rest assured that nothing in our ingredients list is known to be harmful โ itโs all food-grade, traditional stuff, we just like to err on the side of caution with the littlest ones and moms-to-be.
How long does a jar of your tallow balm typically last?
It lasts quite a while because you only need to use a small amount each time. With daily use, a 2-ounce (60 ml) jar will usually last about one to two months, depending on how much you apply and to how many areas. If youโre just using it as a facial moisturizer, it could last closer to two months or more. If youโre also using it on larger areas of the body regularly, it might be on the shorter end of that range. In any case, because the balm is so concentrated and effective with a thin layer, most people find they donโt have to restock too often. Itโs a deceptively small jar of big nourishment!
How should I store the balm, and does it need refrigeration or special care?
Our tallow balm is very low-maintenance. We recommend storing it in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, for example, keep the jar in a cabinet or drawer when not in use. Thereโs no need to refrigerate it. In fact, the balm is naturally shelf-stable because of its ingredients: tallow, beeswax, and honey all have long shelf lives and even have their own anti-bacterial/anti-fungal properties, so they keep the product fresh without any artificial preservatives. Just make sure the lid is closed when youโre not using it, to keep it clean and prevent any dust from getting in. As long as itโs not subjected to extreme heat (which could melt it into an oil, though even if that happens, it will solidify again at room temperature and still be fine to use), it will stay good for a very long time. Typically, you can expect a jar to stay fresh for at least a year after opening, often much longer. Youโll likely finish every drop of it before you even need to worry about it going off!
Do you ship internationally?
Yes, we do! Weโre proudly based in Ireland and currently ship to Ireland, Northern Ireland, Great Britain, Canada and the USA, with plans to expand further very soon. When placing an order on our website, simply enter your address at checkout, and you'll be shown the shipping options and rates available for your area. Our community is already growing, and we're excited to soon bring a piece of Irish wellness heritage to more destinations around the world. Stay tuned!
How long will it take to receive my order?
We pride ourselves on prompt fulfillment. When you place an order, we typically prepare and dispatch it within 2 working days. Delivery times vary depending on your location:
Ireland, shipping usually takes just 1โ2 working days after dispatch, meaning youโll typically receive your package within 2โ4 days from the time you order.
UK are similarly fast, often arriving within 3โ5 working days after dispatch.
USA and Canada, parcels typically arrive within 4โ7 working days after dispatch, depending on customs processing and local postal services.
We offer tracked, express tracked, non-tracked and local delivery (within radius) shipping options at checkout. If you select tracked delivery, youโll receive a tracking number via email so you can follow your parcelโs journey from dispatch to delivery. While our deliveries are usually smooth and timely, if you ever have any questions or concerns about your shipment, feel free to contact us. Weโre always here to help.
How much does shipping cost, and do you offer free shipping?
We strive to keep shipping affordable and even offer free shipping whenever possible.
For our customers in Ireland, we're happy to provide free tracked shipping on all orders of โฌ50 or more, meaning delivery wonโt cost you a cent when you hit that threshold. We also offer free local delivery to customers within our designated delivery zone in Dublin, if your address qualifies, this option will appear automatically at checkout.
For orders under โฌ50, and all orders to the UK, Canada and USA, shipping charges will be clearly shown at checkout, based on the weight and destination of your parcel. We never add markups to shipping fees; you simply pay what it costs us to deliver using trusted and reliable carriers. At checkout, you'll automatically see the available shipping methods, along with their prices, before finalizing your order.
Be sure to keep an eye out for occasional promotions and special offers, we sometimes run discounts or special deals that include free or reduced-cost shipping. Ultimately, our goal is to ensure your Holistic Heritage products arrive promptly, safely, and affordably.
Is your tallow (and other ingredients) ethically sourced?
Absolutely. Ethical sourcing is central to everything we do at Holistic Heritage. We only use tallow from 100% grass-fed, humanely raised cattle on small Irish farms from heritage breeds like Hereford or Aberdeen Angus. These animals graze freely on clean, native pastures and are raised with care, not chemicals. We work directly with farmers we trust, ensuring that nothing about our sourcing is industrial or opaque.
The suet we use is a natural byproduct of traditional, sustainable farming, where every part of the animal is valued. Rather than being discarded, this nutrient-dense fat is repurposed into something truly beneficial for the skin.
Our other ingredients follow the same standard:
โ Our beeswax and honey are sourced from Irish beekeepers who prioritize bee health and environmental balance.
โ Our olive oil is cold-pressed and comes from organic, regenerative farms in Spain.
โ Our jojoba oil is organic, cold-pressed, and sourced from farms that uphold sustainable growing and processing practices, ensuring purity without the use of synthetic solvents or additives.
By keeping our supply chain transparent, ethical, and as local as possible, we support responsible agriculture while ensuring the highest-quality ingredients in every jar.
Do you use sustainable or eco-friendly packaging?
Yes, we do! We want our commitment to wellness to extend to the wellness of our planet. That's why we've made our packaging as eco-friendly as possible. Each balm is packaged in a reusable glass jar with an aluminium lid, no single-use plastic containers. We encourage you to repurpose or recycle these jars once you've enjoyed your balm. When it comes to shipping materials, we exclusively use recycled kraft paper to safely protect your items, and recyclable cardboard boxes sealed with paper tape. We avoid plastic entirely in our mailers and packaging. In short, our goal is to minimize waste and reduce our environmental impact at every stage. While we're always seeking ways to improve our sustainability, we're proud that receiving a Holistic Heritage package means you can feel confident about its eco-friendly footprint.
What is Holistic Heritageโs overall philosophy or approach to skincare?
Our philosophy is to go back to basics and honor both the wisdom of our ancestors and the needs of modern wellness. โHolistic Heritageโ isnโt just our name, it encapsulates our approach. Holistic means we look at wellness as a whole, choosing ingredients and practices that support the bodyโs natural balance rather than fighting against it. Heritage reflects our inspiration from ancestral traditions, especially Irish natural remedies passed down through generations. We believe the best skincare comes from honest, earth-derived ingredients and time-tested methods. In a world where many products are filled with synthetic chemicals and marketing gimmicks, we choose purity and simplicity. We handcraft our balm in small batches, using methods and ingredients that our great-grandparents would recognize, because sometimes the old ways truly are the best ways. Our approach is grounded and transparent: we start with raw nature (like tallow, beeswax, and honey straight from farm and hive), and we create products that nourish you without any fluff or filler. Ultimately, we stand for skincare that is natural, ethical, and effective. Caring for your skin in a gentle, traditional way that also connects you to a heritage of wellness.