Tallow vs Traditional Soap: Which Formula is Right for You?

Published November 2025 | 8 min read

If you've been exploring natural soap options, you've probably encountered the tallow soap trend. But what exactly is tallow soap, and how does it compare to traditional cold-process soap made with plant oils? As a Canadian soap maker who offers both formulas, I'm breaking down the differences so you can choose the right one for your skin.

The Quick Answer

Both are excellent options, but they serve different needs:

• Tallow-based soap offers maximum moisturization and exceptionally long-lasting bars—ideal if you have dry skin or want a traditional, nutrient-rich formula
• Traditional cold-process soap (coconut + olive oil + beeswax) provides rich lather, gentle cleansing, and is vegan-friendly—perfect if you prefer plant-based products or have normal to oily skin

Let's dive deeper into each formula.

What is Tallow Soap?

Tallow soap is made from rendered beef fat—typically from grass-fed cattle. Before you say "gross," hear me out: tallow has been used in soap-making for thousands of years, and for good reason.

Why Tallow Works So Well in Soap

Tallow's fatty acid profile is remarkably similar to human sebum (the natural oil your skin produces). This makes it incredibly skin-compatible and effective at:

• Deep moisturization: Penetrates skin without clogging pores
• Creating hard, long-lasting bars: Tallow soaps resist dissolving, so they last weeks longer than most commercial soaps
• Providing nutrients: Grass-fed tallow contains vitamins A, D, E, and K
• Gentle cleansing: Cleans effectively without stripping natural oils

Our Tallow Soap Products

At Traditional HQ, we offer three tallow-based soaps:

• NO.12 Bar Soap: Grass-fed tallow + coconut oil with an earthy, woody scent (our bestseller)
• NO.44 Tallow & Coconut: Fragrance-free option
• TNT Tea Tree & Tallow: Therapeutic formula with tea tree oil, coconut charcoal, and dead sea salt

What is Traditional Cold-Process Soap?

Traditional cold-process soap is made from plant-based oils—typically coconut oil, olive oil, and beeswax. This is the classic soap formula that's been used for centuries in Mediterranean and other cultures.

Why Traditional Formula is So Popular

Plant-based cold-process soap has stood the test of time for good reasons:

• Rich, luxurious lather: Coconut oil creates big, fluffy bubbles even in hard water
• Gentle and moisturizing: Olive oil is packed with vitamins A and E
• Vegan-friendly: No animal products
• Long-lasting: Beeswax creates hard bars that resist dissolving
• Mild enough for face: Gentle on all skin types

Our Traditional Formula Products

Most of our numbered soaps use this formula:

• NO.338: Complex, refined scent
• NO.308: Rugged, outdoorsy scent
• NO.30: Smooth, sophisticated scent
• NO.0%: 100% fragrance-free
• Plus: NO.22, NO.9, NO.762

Head-to-Head Comparison

The Real Customer Feedback

Here's what Traditional HQ customers tell us:

On Tallow Soaps (NO.12, NO.44):
"Your soaps last too long! I'm still on the same bar after months."
"My skin has never felt this soft. I'm a tallow convert."

On Traditional Soaps (NO.338, NO.308, etc.):
"The lather is incredible—even better than my old expensive brands."
"Love that it's vegan and still performs amazingly."

The common theme? Both formulas last significantly longer than commercial soaps. That's the magic of cold-process soap-making with quality ingredients.

Which Formula Should You Choose?

Choose Tallow Soap If:

• ✓ You have dry or sensitive skin
• ✓ You want maximum moisturization
• ✓ You prefer traditional, time-tested ingredients
• ✓ You want the longest-lasting bar possible
• ✓ You're interested in nutrient-rich skincare (vitamins A, D, E, K)

Recommended products: NO.12 Bar Soap | NO.44 Fragrance-Free | TNT Tea Tree & Tallow

Choose Traditional Soap If:

• ✓ You prefer vegan/plant-based products
• ✓ You want rich, fluffy lather
• ✓ You have normal to oily skin
• ✓ You love the classic Mediterranean soap tradition
• ✓ You want a gentle face and body soap

Recommended products: NO.338 Bar Soap | NO.308 Bar Soap | NO.0% Fragrance-Free

Can't Decide? Try Both!

Here's a secret: you don't have to choose just one! Many of our customers use:

• Tallow soap in winter when skin is drier
• Traditional soap in summer when skin is oilier
• Tallow soap for body, traditional soap for face

Both formulas are:

• ✓ Cold-process (cured 4-6 weeks)
• ✓ Handcrafted in small batches in Fergus, Ontario
• ✓ Made with premium ingredients
• ✓ Free of phthalates, parabens, sulfates
• ✓ Packaged in compostable, laser-engraved boxes
• ✓ Part of our Numbered Fragrance System

What About "Tallow + Coconut" Formulas?

Some of our tallow soaps (like NO.12 and NO.44) combine tallow with coconut oil. This engineered formula gives you:

• The moisturization of tallow
• The exceptional lather of coconut oil
• The best of both worlds

This is why NO.12 is our bestseller—it outperforms pure tallow soaps AND traditional formulas in customer satisfaction.

The Bottom Line

There's no "wrong" choice between tallow and traditional soap—both are excellent.

Tallow soap offers maximum moisturization and exceptional longevity, making it ideal for dry skin and those who want traditional, nutrient-rich skincare.

Traditional cold-process soap provides rich lather, gentle cleansing, and vegan-friendly ingredients—perfect for those who prefer plant-based products.

At Traditional HQ, we're proud to offer both formulas because we believe in giving you choice. Every skin is different, and you deserve options that actually work.

Ready to try both? Explore our Tallow Products Collection or Traditional Soap Collection. And remember—free shipping across Canada, no minimum purchase.

Have questions about which formula is right for you? Contact us—we're happy to help!

Related Reading:
→ Our Ingredients: Quality You Can Trust
→ The Numbered Fragrance System Explained