In recent months, we’ve seen an influx of low-cost “tallow honey balm” products being sold online, mostly imported from China. They look convincing: amber jars, gold labels, words like tallow and honey - but what’s inside tells a completely different story.
So we ordered one of these products labeled “Glazevale Tallow Honey Balm” that’s sold in Ireland and marketed as an Irish handmade product to analyze its formula, texture, and quality side-by-side with our authentic Original Tallow & Honey Balm.
The results reveal just how far removed some of these imitation products are from what a tallow balm is meant to be.
What Is a Balm?
By definition, a balm is an anhydrous (water-free) mixture of natural fats, waxes, and oils designed to protect, seal, and deeply nourish the skin. A true balm should:
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Contain no water or synthetic emulsifiers, only rich emollients like tallow, beeswax, and plant oils.
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Melt into the skin using body heat rather than forming a surface film.
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Be temperature-sensitive, firm in cool weather and softer in warmth.
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Offer nourishment through natural lipids and vitamins, not through chemical additives.
This definition alone exposes a key issue: the Chinese-made product isn’t a balm at all: it’s a watered-down, mineral-oil-based cream disguised under the word “balm.”
1. Ingredient List Comparison
Glazevale “Tallow Honey Balm” (China-made):
Aqua, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Mineral Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Tallow, Honey, Olive Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, Orange Peel Extract
Ancestral Cosmetics Original Tallow & Honey Balm (Ireland):
Irish Grass-Fed Beef Tallow, Raw Irish Honey, Cold-Pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Beeswax, Essential Oils of Frankincense, Neroli, Palmarosa, Sandalwood, Rose Geranium, and Patchouli
Compared to the definition of a balm:
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The Chinese product starts with water (aqua) and mineral oil, meaning it’s an emulsion or cream, not a balm. Its use of synthetic stabilizers (carbomer, triethanolamine) and preservatives indicates mass production, not artisan skincare.
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The Ancestral Cosmetics balm meets every point of the balm definition: 100% natural fats and waxes, no water, no fillers, and a structure that nourishes skin barrier function instead of coating it.
2. Texture and Appearance
The texture confirms what the ingredient list already suggests:
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Chinese version: watery, glossy, almost liquid, with a bright orange hue that suggests colorants or synthetic fragrance oils. It keeps the same consistency regardless of temperature, a typical sign of emulsified, lab-processed creams.
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Ancestral Cosmetics: a solid, buttery balm that softens naturally when warmed in your hands. Its golden hue comes from raw tallow and honey, not dyes or stabilizers.
A true balm breathes with the seasons: firmer in winter, softer in summer. Artificial emulsions never do.
3. Scent and Feel
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Chinese version: smells like artificial citrus with chemical undertones, reminiscent of cheap drugstore lotions. It leaves a slick, waxy coating typical of mineral oil-based products.
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Ancestral Cosmetics: smells like earth, honey, and nature: a warm, subtle scent derived from genuine essential oils. It melts seamlessly into the skin, leaving it deeply moisturized but never greasy.
4. Packaging
- Chinese version: packed in a cheap plastic jar. It has no manufacturer listed on the label, no cosmetic allergens noted anywhere on the jar or the box.
- Ancestral Cosmetics: packed in a premium glass jar with aluminium lid. The label lists all ingredients, but also all cosmetics allergens per EU regulations, as well as manufacturer name and address and country of origin.
5. Sourcing and Transparency
The Chinese product lists no origin for its tallow (if it contains real tallow at all), no manufacturer address, and no production standards. It gives no insight into quality control or safety practices. Plus its labelling is clearly not compliant with EU cosmetic regulations.
In contrast, Ancestral Cosmetics operates transparently from Ireland. Every batch is made in-house using grass-fed, pasture-raised Irish beef tallow, locally sourced raw honey, and cold-pressed oils. Our formulations comply with EU cosmetic standards, safety assessments, and full ingredient traceability.
5. Why This Matters
Calling a water-based emulsion a “balm” is misleading. The difference isn’t just marketing: it’s skin health.
Tallow balms restore balance to the skin barrier through fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) and natural lipids that mimic human sebum. Mineral oils and synthetics, on the other hand, sit on the skin surface and disrupt its natural communication with the environment.
What looks like a cheap alternative can actually do more harm than good.
6. How to Spot a Fake “Tallow Balm”?
Before you buy, look out for:
✅ “Aqua” or “Water” among the first ingredients
✅ “Mineral oil” or “petroleum jelly” in the list
✅ Bright or glossy color (especially orange or shiny yellow)
✅ Synthetic citrus or perfume scent
✅ Plastic packaging
✅ No traceable company origin or manufacturer address
7. The Bottom Line
The Glazevale Tallow Honey Balm may look like a natural skincare product, but it doesn’t meet the definition of a balm - and certainly not of tallow-based skincare. It’s a diluted cream built on water, mineral oil, and synthetic agents, with tallow likely added in minimal quantity to use the name for marketing.
The Ancestral Cosmetics Original Tallow & Honey Balm remains true to its name and roots:
- 100% active, natural ingredients
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Zero water, fillers, or synthetics
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Made from Irish grass-fed tallow, raw honey, olive oil, and beeswax
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Handcrafted ethically by a transparent Irish family company
If you want to experience what a balm truly is: a living blend of natural fats that heal, seal, and protect - always check the ingredient list. Real tallow skincare doesn’t just feel different, it is different.
About Ancestral Cosmetics
At Ancestral Cosmetics, our products aren’t made in anonymous factories.
They’re handmade every single day in Enniscorthy, County Wexford, by a team of 20+ people who care deeply about what goes into every jar.
We began in our kitchen, rendering tallow in small pots and blending honey by hand - and even as we’ve grown, that spirit hasn’t changed: only improved. You can read a story about us in Irish Independent article here.
Each balm you hold has passed through real hands, not machines.
It carries the care of people who live and work in our local community, proud to create something honest and pure. This is what “ancestral” means to us - not just natural ingredients, but a return to integrity, craftsmanship, and the human touch that connects us to our roots.
So instead of fake Chinese products with questionable ingredients make sure to support your local business and real people behind it.
You can shop our bestselling products below.
