5 Common Myths About Using Lard on Your Skin (and the Truth)
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Despite centuries of traditional use, lard still raises a few eyebrows when we mention it as a skincare ingredient. At Tiny Tallow, we hear the same concerns time and again—usually from people who are curious but cautious.
Is it greasy? Won’t it clog pores? Do I really want to put pig fat on my face?
We get it. Fat phobia, marketing myths, and misinformation have left many people unsure about this beautiful, natural ingredient. So today, we’re setting the record straight.
Let’s bust the 5 most common myths about using lard on your skin—and get to the truth behind the balm.
Myth 1: “Lard is greasy and heavy.”
Truth: Properly rendered lard is light, silky, and absorbs beautifully.
Many people assume lard will leave their skin feeling sticky or coated, but in reality, lard melts effortlessly at body temperature. When whipped into a balm (like we do at Tiny Tallow), it creates a soft, creamy texture that glides onto the skin and sinks in quickly.
Unlike some water-based moisturisers that sit on top of the skin, lard actually nourishes from within. It hydrates deeply without leaving a greasy residue—just soft, supple skin.
In fact, most customers are surprised by how non-greasy it feels.
Myth 2: “Lard will clog my pores.”
Truth: Lard is non-comedogenic for most people and may actually help reduce breakouts.
Lard has a fatty acid profile very similar to human sebum, especially high in oleic acid, which helps balance oil production and soothe inflammation.
Because it supports the skin’s barrier and microbiome, many people with acne-prone or oily skin find that lard helps calm breakouts rather than cause them.
Of course, everyone’s skin is different, so we always recommend patch testing first. But in general, lard is gentle, balanced, and skin-friendly—even for sensitive or reactive skin.
Myth 3: “It’s weird (and gross) to put pig fat on your face.”
Truth: It only feels weird because we’ve been taught to fear animal fats.
For most of human history, animal fats were the norm in skincare. People used what was available, local, and effective—whether it was pig lard, sheep tallow, or even duck fat. These fats were prized for their soothing, healing properties.
It’s only in the last century—with the rise of industrial seed oils and synthetic products—that animal fats fell out of favour.
And let’s be honest: if you can eat bacon or pork belly, using the same animal’s fat on your skin shouldn’t be too confronting—especially when it’s clean, ethical, and beautifully rendered.
At Tiny Tallow, we source lard from pasture-raised pigs and render it carefully by hand. The end result? A clean, neutral-smelling balm that feels more like a luxury skincare product than a pantry ingredient.
Myth 4: “Plant oils are more natural and better for the environment.”
Truth: That depends entirely on how and where they’re grown.
Many plant oils used in skincare (like palm, soybean, or even coconut oil) are grown in industrial monocultures that harm ecosystems, degrade soil, and contribute to deforestation.
Lard, when sourced from regenerative farms, is often a by-product of ethical meat production. Nothing goes to waste. The pigs are raised outdoors, on pasture, with care for the land—and the lard is a valuable, local resource.
Using animal fats like lard can actually be more sustainable than importing exotic plant oils that require heavy processing and long-distance transport.
Myth 5: “Lard-based skincare is old-fashioned or outdated.”
Truth: Traditional doesn’t mean ineffective—often, it’s quite the opposite.
Yes, lard is old-school—but that’s part of its charm. It worked for your great-grandmother, and it still works today.
Modern skincare is often filled with buzzwords and complicated formulations, but at the end of the day, your skin needs nourishment, not novelty. Lard delivers just that: rich, bioavailable fats, vitamins, and a texture that your skin understands.
We’ve had customers tell us Tiny Tallow worked when nothing else did—including expensive creams and prescription treatments.
Sometimes the answer isn’t in a lab. It’s on a farm.
Bonus Concern: “Will I smell like bacon?”
Nope! Properly rendered lard is neutral in scent, and we blend it with gentle essential oils for a clean, subtle fragrance. Many of our customers choose the unscented version too—for ultra-sensitive skin or for babies.
So, rest assured: you won’t smell like a Sunday brekky.
Final Thoughts
There’s no need to fear lard. Once you let go of the myths and give it a go, you’ll find it’s one of the most nourishing, ethical, and effective ingredients you can use on your skin.
At Tiny Tallow, we’re proud to revive this forgotten staple and share it with those who want skincare that’s simple, sustainable, and rooted in nature—not marketing hype.
So if you’ve been on the fence, now’s the time to try it for yourself. Your skin (and your conscience) might just love it.