Beef tallow has recently gained popularity as a “natural” skincare product. Beef tallow is cow fat that has been melted, strained, and turned back into a pure solid. It is often used as a substitute for oil, a natural cooking fat, or an ingredient in soap.
While more research is needed to understand how useful and safe beef tallow is for your skin, some studies suggest it can moisturize and provide nutrients to hydrate your skin.
Beef tallow is typically purchased as a balm or cream. Many products recommend placing a layer of tallow on your skin after you have washed and dried your face. You can rub the product in and leave it on overnight.
Read the labels of products before using them. Some may contain other ingredients, such as honey or aloe vera. Choose the best product based on your skincare needs and goals.
In skincare, beef tallow is a hydrating agent that helps moisturize the skin. It may improve dry skin, provide eczema relief, and support wound healing. Beef tallow also contains various vitamins that can benefit skin health.
Hydrates the Skin
People use beef tallow to hydrate and moisturize their skin. Beef tallow contains fatty oils and fats, like triglycerides and lipids. Fatty oils and lipids help improve how well water and other substances pass through your skin.
Some people use fatty oils and lipids in their skincare routine to help treat skin concerns and conditions like dry skin and eczema. Fats like beef tallow can help other substances pass through the skin better and lower the amount of water your skin loses, keeping it hydrated.
However, everyone’s skin needs are different. The nutrients and oils found in beef tallow may not be useful for your skin concerns. Talk with a healthcare provider before using these products to decide if it is a good choice for you.
Provides Essential Vitamins
Beef tallow contains necessary nutrients like vitamins A, D, B12, E, and K. These vitamins can help with skin health in various ways:
- Improve the appearance of wrinkles
- Heal wounds, bruises, and dark spots
- Lower inflammation
- Improve hydration
- Improve collagen production
May Help Improve Eczema
Beef tallow may be especially useful in people with atopic dermatitis, a common type of eczema. Eczema can disrupt your skin’s barrier, making it less able to protect against irritants and allergens from getting into your body. This effect can cause your skin to become cracked, dry, and irritated.
Beef tallow products appear to act as a protectant, keeping your skin hydrated for longer and improving the overall health of your skin.
May Support Wound Healing
Some studies have found that tallow-based soap may act as a disinfectant and help with wound healing. Beef tallow soap may also cause less dryness compared to typical soap products. More research is needed to determine tallow’s usefulness as a soap product.
There have not been many studies performed using beef tallow for skin health. This is why dermatologists and health professionals do not commonly recommend the product. There are a few risks or side effects that beef tallow may cause, like:
- Allergic reaction: You may be sensitive to beef tallow or an ingredient of the product. If you notice redness, itching, or hives, stop using the product and talk to a healthcare provider.
- Skin breakouts: Beef tallow is oily and may leave a greasy residue on your skin. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, this can raise your risk for breakouts. The tallow may block your pores, which then leads to bacteria clogging your pores and causing breakouts.
- Interactions with other products or skin conditions: Beef tallow may interact with other skincare products you are using or health conditions you have. If you notice irritation or redness, talk with a healthcare provider.
- Unpleasant smell: Beef tallow may have a mild, buttery, or beef-like smell.
Though beef tallow is considered “natural,” not all products are necessarily clean and safe. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve or review beef tallow products. So, there is no way to confirm whether the product works or is safe to use.
Read the label of any beef tallow products you are interested in using to look for information on purity, source, and any added ingredients. You can also talk to your doctor before using a product.
Other ways to care for and hydrate your skin include:
- Drink plenty of water: Staying hydrated helps your skin work optimally and prevents dryness. One study found that drinking 2 liters (about 8 cups) of water a day for 30 days significantly improved skin hydration.
- Use emollient creams and moisturizers: Emollients are substances that help retain skin moisture to smooth and soften the skin. Emollient creams and moisturizers can be especially helpful for people who have eczema or other dry skin conditions. Common examples include cocoa butter, lanolin, and mineral oil.
- Use plant-based moisturizers: Plant-based moisturizers are natural alternatives to beef tallow. These products also have much more evidence of their usefulness in skin care. Examples include shea butter, coconut oil, and jojoba oil.
Talk with a healthcare provider or dermatologist for more ways to keep your skin healthy and hydrated.
Beef tallow has recently gained popularity as a skin care product. Beef tallow contains fatty oils and nutrients that may improve how well water and other substances pass through your skin. Some people use beef tallow to help treat skin concerns like dry skin and eczema.
The benefits and possible side effects of beef tallow are not well understood. More research is needed to determine how useful the product is. Talk with your doctor before using beef tallow for your skin.
