Moving on from tallow
A Mammal-Free Alternative to Tallow Balm
Keep the rich, simple ritual, without tallow. Fully refined emu oil is made without mammal ingredients, so it is AG-FREE®. Colorless, odorless and Fragrance-Free, and a few drops go a long way.
- AEA Certified
- Third-Party Tested
- Made in the USA
- Satisfaction guaranteed
Why switch from tallow to emu oil?
The same simple, animal-fat ritual, with four clear upgrades.
No mammal ingredients
Made completely without mammal ingredients, so it is AG-FREE® and verified by independent third-party testing.
A little goes a long way
A few drops, not a scoop. One bottle lasts a long time, so you get more for your money.
Colorless and odorless
Fully refined to a clear, odorless oil. Fragrance-Free, with nothing to cover up.
Absorbs cleanly
Two ingredients that sink in without a heavy or greasy finish.
The short answer
What can you use instead of tallow balm?
If you liked tallow balm for its rich, simple feel but want to leave mammal fats behind, fully refined emu oil is a natural swap, made without mammal ingredients. Amaroo Naturals is AG-FREE®, colorless, odorless and fragrance-free, and absorbs cleanly without a heavy finish.
Why it fits a tallow routine
- Two ingredients: Emu Oil and 0.15% Tocopherol (Vitamin E)
- Colorless, odorless and Fragrance-Free
- Made completely without mammal ingredients
The reasons
Why do people move on from tallow?
Usually for one of three reasons: an alpha-gal diagnosis, wanting skincare made without any mammal ingredients, or preferring an unscented oil that disappears into skin. Tallow comes from cows or sheep, and the CDC notes that some people with alpha-gal may be sensitive to products made with mammal fat, like tallow.
Side by side
How is emu oil different from tallow?
Both are animal fats with a simple label. The difference is the animal, which is what matters for alpha-gal, and how far a little goes.
| Compare | Tallow | Amaroo Naturals emu oil |
|---|---|---|
| Source animal | Cows or sheep | Emu |
| From a mammal? | Yes | No |
| AG-FREE® | No, it is a mammal fat | Yes, verified by independent testing |
| Alpha-gal note | Mammal fat; the CDC notes some people with alpha-gal may be sensitive to it | AG-FREE®, verified by independent third-party testing |
| Amount per use | A scoop, warmed and spread | A few drops; one bottle goes a long way |
| Form | Balm, scooped and warmed | Oil, a few drops warmed in your hands |
| Feel | Rich balm texture | Light oil that absorbs without a heavy finish |
| Color and scent | Varies by product | Colorless, odorless, Fragrance-Free |
| Label | Varies by product | Two: Emu Oil and 0.15% Tocopherol (Vitamin E, a natural preservative to extend the oil's shelf life) |
How do you switch from a balm to an oil?
Use less than you think. An oil spreads further than a balm, so start with a few drops and add more only where skin feels dry.
Warm
Warm 1 to 2 drops for the face, or 2 to 3 for the body, between your palms.
Press
Press into slightly damp skin after cleansing or showering, the same moment you used your balm.
Layer
On very dry spots, add a second layer at night. Use daily for the most consistent results.
Alpha-gal safety
Is emu oil safe for alpha-gal?
Yes. Emu is a bird, not a mammal, so emu oil does not contain any mammal ingredients. Amaroo Naturals is AG-FREE®: made completely without mammal ingredients, refined and bottled in mammal-free environments, and verified by independent third-party testing. We still recommend patch testing before regular use, especially if you have severe AGS.
The AG-FREE® promise
- Made completely without mammal ingredients
- Refined and bottled in mammal-free environments
- Verified by independent third-party testing
Who verified it?
AG-FREE® is our promise, and we back it with independent checks.
AG-FREE®
Made completely without mammal ingredients and verified by independent third-party testing.
AEA Certified Fully Refined
Refined to the American Emu Association standard. Colorless, odorless and shelf-stable.
Third-Party Tested
Tested by an independent AOCS-certified lab.
Made in the USA
Sourced, refined and bottled only in the USA.
Keep the ritual, without tallow.
Fully Refined Pure Emu Oil
Ingredients: Emu Oil, 0.15% Tocopherol (Vitamin E, a natural preservative to extend the oil's shelf life).
No fragrance, no fillers, no mystery ingredients.
- AEA Certified
- Third-Party Tested
- Made in the USA
- Satisfaction guaranteed
Switching from tallow
Is emu oil an animal fat?
Yes. Emu oil is rendered from emu fat. Emus are not mammals, so it is mammal-free and AG-FREE®.
Is it as rich as tallow?
It feels rich but lighter. Fully refined emu oil absorbs cleanly without a heavy finish, so a few drops cover more skin than a scoop of balm.
Can I use it on my face?
Yes. Use 1 to 2 drops on clean, slightly damp skin, morning, evening or both.
I used tallow balm. How is emu oil different?
Tallow comes from cows or sheep. Emu oil is made without mammal ingredients, which is why it is AG-FREE®. Fully refined, it is colorless and odorless and absorbs cleanly without a heavy finish. Use 1 to 2 drops for the face and 2 to 3 for the body.
How should I patch test?
Apply a small amount to a quarter-sized spot on the inside of your arm. Repeat twice a day for 7 to 10 days, as the American Academy of Dermatology suggests. Watch for any redness, itching, or other reaction. If you see no reaction, proceed with regular use. If you have severe AGS or are unsure, talk to your allergist before trying anything new.
Keep exploring
- For your faceA mammal-free face oilTwo ingredients, no collagen or lanolin, 1 to 2 drops.See the face oil
- Clean beautyMammal-free vs veganWhy vegan and alpha-gal safe answer different questions.Read the comparison
- For your bodyA moisturizer without mammal ingredientsTwo to three drops for dry spots, after the shower.See the body oil
Keep the ritual, without tallow.
AG-FREE®. Mammal-Free • Fragrance-Free. Made in the USA.
- AEA Certified
- Third-Party Tested
- Made in the USA
- Satisfaction guaranteed
