I’m not sure when using beef tallow as face moisturizer entered the mainstream beauty conversation, but, like bread-making and bow-wearing, the trend probably got a boost from tradwives like Nara Smith. Those who have embraced it as a form of “ancestral skin care” are right about at least one thing: Humans have been slathering their skin with animal fat for millennia. In fact, rendered beef fat has properties that make it “highly effective for restoring the skin barrier,” says licensed aesthetician Mary Schook, the founder of M.S. Apothecary. “My Australian clients who first introduced it to me two decades ago had skin most people dream of.” But she and other experts caution there are more than a few concerns to weigh before swapping your traditional moisturizer for pure tallow or a tallow-based balm.
What are the benefits of applying beef tallow to your skin?
Tallow is made by slowly heating animal fat and then straining it to remove impurities. It’s solid at room temperature and rich in fatty acids like stearic and oleic, as well as vitamins A, D, E, and K. “Beef tallow’s primary appeal lies in its natural composition, which closely mimics the skin’s sebum,” Schook says. To apply beef tallow to your face, rub a small amount between your fingertips until it melts, then massage it into clean skin. “For those with severely dry or eczema-prone skin, beef tallow can provide deep moisturization and potentially aid in healing due to its lipid-rich profile,” says Schook.
Even dermatologists say it works as a moisturizer for some people. “I’m not 100 percent against it, unless you have some sort of allergy,” says board-certified dermatologist Morgan Rabach. However, she adds, “There’s no scientific data showing it’s absorbed in a significantly different way than any of the traditional skin-care products we have.”
Is it safe to apply beef tallow to my face?
It really depends. The safety of any ingredient, especially an animal byproduct, depends on the production process. “I do think food products have a higher incidence of bacterial contamination,” Rabach cautions. For example, tallow that’s improperly rendered or stored can harbor harmful bacteria, including staphylococcus. Plus, the FDA has not yet determined that tallow is safe for use in cosmetics (the agency has, however, prohibited the use of other cattle materials in cosmetics to protect against the spread of mad cow disease). On top of all that, tallow is not a great choice for anyone prone to clogged pores or pimples. “Tallow’s occlusive nature can trap oils and debris, worsening conditions like acne,” Schook says.
If I insist on using beef tallow, what’s the best for skin?
Schook says a tallow balm blended with other ingredients and manufactured to cosmetic standards may reduce risks such as contamination. For example, Rumer Willis told the Strategist that she (and her daughter) apply the tallow blend Soft n’ Fat Calendula Chamomile Whipped Tallow ($39), which she calls a “game changer” that you can “use for anything.” I haven’t tried any tallow skin care, so I asked my friends in the beauty biz for their recommendations, and Laura Frostad, a brow artist in Calgary, Canada, raves about Genesis Tallow Face Whip ($35), a blend of tallow and hemp-seed oil with a sprinkle of essential oil. But if you have sensitive skin, the brand’s essential-oil-free Naked Tallow Balm ($41) is a better bet. She told me her skin is smoother and glowier now that she uses it than when she was on retinol (objectively, her skin is pretty amazing).
Are there any other concerns with beef tallow?
If beef tallow was uniquely beneficial to skin — if it could nourish, repair, or hydrate differently or better than all other topical skin-care ingredients — I could see why someone might overlook the potential health concerns. But there are still other issues to consider, like the fact that raising and killing animals for human consumption is morally questionable, and that beef production contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and water pollution.
And if the only reason you’re thinking of making the switch to tallow is because it’s “natural” or healthier than traditional cosmetics, then proceed with caution. Some small-batch and “mindfully produced” tallow balms are made with even less regulation and transparency than traditional cosmetics, which are already lacking. Besides, “from an environmental perspective, tallow alternatives like pumpkin-seed oil or other plant-based formulations are not only more sustainable but safer for skin and ecosystems,” says Schook.
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