
In a skincare world overrun by synthetic moisturizers, chemical emulsifiers and trendy actives, one traditional ingredient is making waves in the wellness community. It’s beef tallow.
A staple for savory roasts, buttery-flaky pastries and greasing pans, beef tallow (from cow fat) is similar to lard but has a more neutral taste and softer texture. Visit Beef Tallow for Skin for more details.
It’s Natural
Tallow is a rendered fat that comes from beef (and sometimes veal) carcasses. It’s typically used in high-heat cooking methods such as frying, roasting and searing, but it’s also becoming increasingly popular in the skin care world. Many clean beauty brands incorporate it into their products because of its anti-inflammatory properties, nourishing fatty acids and ability to form a protective barrier against the elements.
Tallow closely mimics the skin’s natural oils, making it easy to absorb and less likely to clog pores. It also contains a rich profile of fat-soluble vitamins and antioxidants that help maintain a healthy complexion, including vitamin A which promotes cell renewal and vitamin D which helps boost collagen production, plus omega-3 fatty acids that reduce inflammation.
It also works as an occlusive moisturizer, which keeps skin hydrated by sealing in moisture and preventing water from evaporating. It’s important to use a tallow-based product that’s been properly rendered, otherwise it may contain residues like hormones or antibiotics. Choose organic, grass-fed tallow if possible for the best results.
Despite its popularity, some dermatologists remain cautious about using tallow as a skincare ingredient. Because it can quickly melt back into an oil consistency, it’s susceptible to spoilage and oxidation. It can also increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunburn. Additionally, if not adequately processed or stored, it can create an unfavorable odor and encourage the growth of bacteria or yeast.
However, there are plenty of skincare enthusiasts who swear by this time-tested ingredient, particularly when it’s sourced from animals that are humanely raised and free from hormones and antibiotics. As the interest in clean beauty grows, more and more people are turning to the past for inspiration — and discovering that beef tallow can offer some seriously soothing benefits for their complexions.
While tallow can be purchased in small quantities, it’s also commonly used as an additive for soap-making and in a wide range of other skin care products. Often, it’s combined with other natural ingredients to make face and body balms, lip balms, lotions and creams.
It’s Nontoxic
Unlike many plant-based oils that are widely used in modern skincare products, beef tallow is rendered from natural cow fat. It’s a traditional ingredient for soap-making and was commonly used in skin care before the rise of plant-based ingredients and petroleum-based ones. Beef tallow has the added benefit of a rich, savory flavor that adds delicious flavor to meat, fried potatoes and other foods.
The fat is made by simmering and cooling the fatty tissue that surrounds the cow’s internal organs. It’s popular in TikTok videos, where influencers use it to slather their faces and claim it heals dryness and eczema, and in natural beauty circles. Tallow is gaining popularity because it offers deep hydration, mimics the skin’s natural oils and provides a nutrient-dense base for a skin care routine.
It’s also nontoxic, a plus for people who want to limit the amount of synthetic ingredients in their skin care regimens. The fatty acid profile of beef tallow is similar to sebum, so it can blend well and won’t irritate the skin barrier like some synthetic moisturizers may. Additionally, it’s rich in vitamins A and K, which support cell turnover and play a role in healing inflammatory conditions.
When used as an occlusive moisturizer, beef tallow forms a protective layer on the skin and prevents water from evaporating. It’s particularly helpful for dry or irritated skin, including eczema patches, psoriasis and rosacea. When applied directly to minor wounds, it can speed up the skin’s healing process.
As we become more ingredient-savvy and prefer simplified beauty routines, tallow is making a comeback in part because it’s an all-in-one product that can be easily blended with other products to create a personalized skin care formula. Tallow can be used alone to cleanse the face or to remove makeup. It can also be used as a spot treatment for dry, eczema-like patches and to soothe dry elbows and heels.
Despite the popularity of this ancestral skincare staple, some dermatologists remain cautious about recommending it. They point out that the lack of large-scale clinical studies on tallow and its potential for comedogenicity in some skin types make it hard to recommend. Ultimately, it’s important to consult with a board-certified dermatologist for a personalized skin care plan that fits your lifestyle and needs.
It’s Time-Tested
In contrast to many modern-day, petroleum-based skincare products that simply coat the skin (and may do more harm than good), beef tallow actually supports healthy skin cells and moisturizes it. It’s also known to fight skin infecting bacteria and help heal wounds. And it’s safe for all skin types—though it should be avoided during active acne flare-ups to avoid irritating the skin and prolonging the issue.
In fact, rendered fats like tallow have been used for centuries in skincare because they’re natural and nontoxic. Tallow is rich in fat-soluble vitamins and has a similar structure to natural oils found on the skin’s surface, making it a great ingredient for skincare products that need to hold up to heat, moisture, or both. It’s often blended with other skin-loving ingredients and fragrances to create moisturizing and cleansing creams, lotions, and balms.
Tallow is also becoming a popular cooking oil in American restaurants and foodservice kitchens. This shift is fueled not just by nostalgia but also by the fact that animal fats, like beef tallow, are healthier for human bodies than the seed-based alternatives (like canola oil). The company Columbus Vegetable Oils is one of the main producers of the fat, and they’re seeing increased demand from chefs looking to boost flavor and clean-label appeal on their menus.
While the saturated fat in beef tallow may contribute to a higher risk of heart disease, it also contains monounsaturated fats, which are linked to lower cholesterol and blood pressure. It also contains omega-6 fatty acids, like conjugated linoleic acid, which has been linked to decreased inflammation and a reduced risk of rheumatoid arthritis and type 2 diabetes.
While more research is needed, beef tallow is gaining popularity as an all-natural alternative to synthetic skincare ingredients, especially for those with dry and sensitive skin. But, before you ditch your moisturizer for a beef-based ointment, make sure to speak with a dermatologist to see if the product is right for you.
It’s Affordable
Tallow is rendered from the suet (fat surrounding ruminant animals’ internal organs) that’s gently heated until it liquefies. Traditionally, it was used as a cooking oil or in soap-making, but it has been making its way back into skin care and hair products recently thanks to a growing interest in minimalist, animal-based, and preservative-free formulations. It also happens to work well on dry, itchy skin and offers a soft texture that’s more like the oils produced by our own bodies than petroleum-derived lotions.
Unlike most vegetable oils, which can be overly processed and contain unhealthy trans fats, tallow is naturally stable, with a low-calorie count—only 9 calories per gram—and it contains essential fatty acids, such as omega-6 linoleic acid and conjugated linoleic acid. Grass-fed tallow has an even better nutrient profile and may offer anti-inflammatory properties, which helps with redness and irritation caused by chronic skin conditions like psoriasis or dermatitis.
It’s also good for those who want to cut out processed oils and are following diets that limit canola, corn, or olive oil. Since it’s a byproduct of the meat industry and would otherwise be wasted, tallow is eco-friendly, too—especially when sourced from grass-fed cows.
The resurgence of beef tallow has everything to do with the rise of clean beauty and a growing societal shift toward more natural ingredients, simple products, and a back-to-basics approach to skincare. And for people with dry skin, eczema, or psoriasis, it can be the perfect fit—especially when combined with hyaluronic acid serums.
In addition, pure tallow is often fragrance- and paraben-free, making it the best choice for sensitive skin. It’s also non-comedogenic, which means it won’t clog pores or cause breakouts. But because it does contain vitamin A, it can sometimes increase cell turnover and trigger a skin purging reaction in some people.
While tallow is an effective moisturizer for most, it’s important to choose a high-quality product to ensure you’re not introducing any unwanted contaminants or irritants into your skin. Some tallow-based products may be prone to oxidation or contain added fragrance, which can lead to atopic dermatitis and other negative reactions. For this reason, it’s important to perform a patch test before using any new products.


