Ingredient dictionary
Sodium Tallowate
Also listed as: Tallow Soap
Sodium Tallowate is a soap made by reacting rendered animal fat, usually from beef, with sodium hydroxide. Its main job is to cleanse and help oil and water mix. Checked against our library November 6, 2026.
What Sodium Tallowate does
- Cleanses by lifting oil and dirt
- Acts as a surfactant and emulsifier
- Gives bar soap a firm, hard structure
Sodium tallowate starts as tallow, fat rendered from animal tissue, usually beef. Sodium hydroxide, a strong alkali, reacts with the fat in a process called saponification. That splits the fat into glycerin and sodium salts of its fatty acids, which are the soap.
Formulators use it for its cleansing power and firm bar structure. It has been used in bar soaps for a very long time. It feels creamy when wet, but can leave skin feeling slightly tight, especially on very dry skin.
Good for
Suits people who like a classic, firm bar soap for everyday washing of body and face, and who are fine with animal-derived ingredients.
Frequently asked questions
Is sodium tallowate made from animal fat?
Yes. Tallow is rendered animal fat, usually from beef. Sodium tallowate is made by reacting it with sodium hydroxide, so it is a soap, not raw fat. Vegans and vegetarians usually avoid it.
Is sodium tallowate good for dry skin?
It can be drying. Soaps are alkaline, and tallow soap can leave very dry or sensitive skin feeling tight. A creamy, non-soap cleanser often suits dry skin better. Moisturizing after washing can help.