Sodium Tallowate
AKA “Tallow Soap, Animal-Derived Soap
Surfactant
Ingredient Facts
Sodium tallowate
AKA: Tallow Soap, Animal-Derived Soap
Surfactant · Cleansing · EWG: 1
Synthetic
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Clean
Fatty acids, tallow, sodium salts
CAS #
8052-48-0
See origin →
Functions
Cleansing
Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.
Cleansing
Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.
Emulsifying
Forces oil and water to stay mixed instead of separating into layers. The unsung hero holding your lotion together.
Foam Boosting
Viscosity Controlling
Surfactant Cleansing
Surfactant Emulsifying
Surfactant Foam Boosting
Anti-Inflammatory
Antimicrobial
Fights Acne
Traditional Use
Traditional saponified tallow (rendered animal fat) used since ancient times for soap-making across Egypt, Rome, and medieval Europe. Mass-produced from the 18th century onward as an affordable cleansing base ingredient.
Skin Types
all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
1
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USApermitted
EUrestricted
JAPANrestricted
CANADArestricted
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR