How to Use Charcoal Tallow Soap (And Why Your Skin Will Love It)

Right, let’s talk about charcoal tallow soap. Sounds a bit old-school, doesn’t it? Like something your great-grandma might’ve sworn by — and honestly, she was probably onto something.
Because this humble little bar is a bit of a skincare wonder. It’s got activated charcoal to help draw out the grime, and rich, nourishing tallow that gives your skin the good stuff it’s actually craving.
But if you’ve just got your hands on one (or you’re eyeing it up), you might be wondering… how exactly do I use this thing? Don’t worry — I’ve got you covered.
First up: what even is charcoal tallow soap?
In short? It’s like a superfood for your skin.
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Tallow is basically rendered animal fat (yep, it sounds weird, but stick with me). It’s packed with vitamins A, D, E and K and is incredibly moisturising because it mimics the natural oils your skin already makes.
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Activated charcoal is the deep-cleaning ingredient here — it grabs onto dirt, oil, and impurities and pulls them out of your pores like a skincare hoover.
Together, they’re a dream team. One pulls out the bad stuff, the other puts the good stuff back in.
So, when should you use it?
This bar is brilliant if you’ve got:
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Oily or breakout-prone skin
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Blackheads or blocked pores
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Sensitive skin that reacts to everything
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Or just fancy a good, proper cleanse without the drama
You can use it on your face, your body, or both. It’s especially lovely if your skin’s been feeling a bit out of balance lately.
How to use charcoal tallow soap (the easy way)
1. Get everything nice and wet
Splash your face (or hop in the shower), and run the bar under warm water to get it going.
2. Lather it up
Rub the soap between your hands or glide it straight onto your skin. You’ll get a soft grey-ish lather — don’t worry, that’s just the charcoal doing its thing.
Little tip: If you’re using it on your face, just use your hands and go gently. No scrubbing needed!
3. Massage and chill
Use slow, circular motions and give it a few moments to work its magic — especially on oily or spot-prone areas. Let the charcoal do the heavy lifting.
4. Rinse really well
Use warm water to rinse it all away. You don’t want any charcoal hanging around on your skin, so make sure it’s all gone.
5. Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise
Because charcoal pulls out oil and impurities, you want to follow up with something nourishing. A tallow balm or moisturiser is ideal — keeps everything balanced and happy.
But won’t exfoliating every day be too much?
Here’s the lovely thing: not with this soap.
It exfoliates gently — none of those harsh chemicals or gritty bits that leave your skin red and angry. Just a soft, natural polish that clears away the dead skin cells without wrecking your barrier.
That means you can use it more often. Daily, even. It’s strong enough to work, but kind enough not to cause chaos. A rare combo these days, right?
A few extra ways to use it (because it’s a bit of a multitasker)
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Before shaving – softens skin and hair, so you get a smoother shave
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As a spot treatment – lather a bit, pop it on a blemish, leave for a minute, rinse
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Quick detox mask – lather it up, leave on for a few minutes, then rinse off (your skin will feel squeaky clean in the best way)
In a nutshell?
Charcoal tallow soap is a proper gem. It’s natural, gentle, and actually works. No fancy packaging, no 20-step routine — just a simple bar that leaves your skin clear, calm, and soft as anything.
If you haven’t tried it yet, it might just be the easiest (and most affordable) skincare upgrade you’ll make this year.