Palm Oil vs. Tallow

Palm oil comes from the oil palm tree (Elaeis guineensis). This comes from the flesh of the fruit. It’s naturally a rich, reddish-orange color (unrefined) but turns pale when refined. High in saturated fats, it is commonly used in soapmaking, cooking, and skincare products. We use it in our soaps as it creates a stable, creamy lather.

Back in ancient times, lard and tallow from farm animals were used to create hard soap bars, but when Veganism became a "thing" (around 1944), soap manufacturers turned to palm oil. And it was that way for a long while.

However...

...starting in the 1990s, reports of deforestation, habitat destruction (especially for orangutans), greenhouse gas emissions, and human rights abuses began surfacing. In the early 2000s, environmental NGOs like Greenpeace started high-profile campaigns against unsustainable palm oil. This brought the issue into public awareness, especially in the food and cosmetics industries. By 2004, The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) was created as an industry response, aiming to certify “sustainable” palm oil. This was a bit of a hair-raiser for us soapmakers who love using palm as it costs less than tallow, plus we had to wait for sustainable palm oil to be made available.

One of the primary advantages of palm oil in soapmaking lies in its ability to create a firm bar with a rich and stable lather. The unique composition of palm oil, which contains a balanced blend of saturated and unsaturated fats, contributes to the hardness of the soap. This results in a longer-lasting bar that maintains its structural integrity, making it a favorite among soapmakers aiming for durability and longevity.

Additionally, palm oil brings a creamy texture to soap, enhancing its moisturizing properties. The high levels of palmitic and oleic acids present in palm oil contribute to a luxurious feel on the skin, leaving it soft and supple. This makes palm oil an ideal ingredient for soap formulations designed to provide a pampering and nourishing experience during each use.

From a vegan perspective, palm oil can be considered a suitable ingredient when sourced responsibly. Veganism, at its core, opposes the use of animal products and advocates for a cruelty-free lifestyle. Palm oil, being plant-based aligns with these principles. It’s essential, however, to choose palm oil that is certified by sustainable and ethical standards such as the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). RSPO-certified palm oil ensures that the production methods adhere to strict environmental and social criteria, mitigating the negative impacts often associated with conventional palm oil production.

When soapmakers opt for RSPO-certified palm oil, they actively support sustainable and eco-friendly practices. This choice not only aligns with vegan values but also promotes responsible sourcing, helping to address the ecological concerns associated with palm oil production.

Ultimately, while palm oil has faced scrutiny for its environmental implications, its benefits in soapmaking cannot be overlooked. We, at Fair Isle Soap Co., only purchase RSPO-certified palm oil, which ensures our creations not only adhere to vegan principles but also contribute to a more sustainable and ethical industry.

But I'm feeling facetious.

As always - after all of the hubub, money, and mad changes were made to create sustainable Palm - with a heavy sigh I must report the "Trend-Gurus" have done it again. They have now fixed their ever-changing opinions on something new (to them) to yap about and have made a sharp u-turn...

...right back to animal products.

In 2010, the Nose-to-tail movement in a cultural push for using the whole animal and reducing waste made tallow respectable again. Think homesteading, grandmacore, etc. Soapmakers rolled their weary eyes and reframed it as a sustainable by-product rather than waste. I wonder how the vegans feel?

In the end, my soap studio uses both palm oil and beef tallow, but only because I want to. Being in my 70's, I really don't care about trends anymore.

Soapmaker Tips For Palm Oil:

Always Melt & Mix Before Using – Palm oil can separate as it cools, with the harder stearic and palmitic acids settling at the bottom. To keep your soap formula consistent, fully melt and stir the oil before measuring.
Refined vs. Red Palm Oil – Regular refined palm oil is neutral in color, while red palm oil (unrefined) has a deep orange color that can tint your soap yellow to orange. If you want a more natural color boost, red palm oil is a good option, but keep it under 15% to avoid an overly dark bar.

NOTE: Red Palm Oil is very expensive.

Great for Hardness & Lather Stability – Palm oil helps create a firm bar and stabilizes lather, making it a good alternative to animal fats like lard or tallow. It pairs well with coconut oil for a balanced, long-lasting soap.

Palm Kernel Oil Is Different – Don’t mix up palm oil with palm kernel oil! Palm kernel oil behaves more like coconut oil, giving a harder, bubblier bar, while regular palm oil adds creaminess and longevity.

Works Best Around 20-40% – A good usage rate is 20-40% of your total oils. Too much can make the soap feel waxy, while too little may not add enough hardness.

Blends Well with Other Oils – Palm oil works beautifully in combination with olive oil for mildness, coconut oil for bubbles, and butters (like shea or cocoa) for extra richness.

Soapmaker's Tips for Tallow:

Tallow can replace palm oil 1:1 in soap recipes.
Both provide hardness, creamy lather, and a long-lasting bar, though tallow tends to make the soap feel creamier and slightly more conditioning.
Typical usage: 20–40% of your total oils.
Melting: Tallow is solid at room temp (like palm), so melt gently and avoid overheating (it can scorch).
Filtering: If rendering your own, strain well to remove impurities for a clean, neutral-smelling soap.
Shelf life: Properly rendered tallow is shelf-stable, but store in a cool, dark place.
Tallow behaves like palm: But it can slow trace. This is good for soap swirls.
Gels beautifully and produces a hard bar quickly.
Sodium lactate (1 tsp PPO) can help you unmold tallow bars faster if using silicone molds as they tend to harden slower.
Well-rendered tallow has a neutral scent once saponified, but make sure it’s clean (poorly rendered fat can leave an odor). Only buy Tallow from reputable soap companies.
Great for heritage-style soaps (rustic, traditional, apothecary branding).

Tallow also helps your soap retain it's fragrance, something Palm Oil can't do without adding clay. Bet you didn't know that, did you?
Tallow is still more expensive than Palm oil.