Beef Tallow in Skincare: Why Is This Trend Still Moo-ving?
It was just another quiet Friday: the usual pedicure at 5:30PM, peppermint tea in hand, zoning out to the hum of client gossip and jazz music at my go-to nail salon, a posh little oasis that shall remain nameless to protect the questionable. I was blissed out until I overheard the owner whispering fervently at checkout. A woman was being sold something- not polish, not paraffin, not peptides. Nope. It was beef tallow.
“Someone bought ten tubes last week,” she said proudly. “I use it all over my body. It’s incredible.”
Cue the record scratch.
Beef tallow? In 2025?
I thought this trend had been put out to pasture, but apparently, it’s still here and beefier than ever.
So let’s talk about it. Is beef tallow the miracle balm TikTok says it is, or just another greasy gimmick dressed up in "ancestral skincare" packaging?
This week, I’m taking an unbiased, science-backed look at beef tallow in skincare: the supposed benefits, the actual risks, why dermatologists aren’t on board, and what to use instead if you’re chasing that nourished, glowy skin aesthetic.
What Is Beef Tallow?
Beef tallow is rendered fat from cows, typically taken from around the kidneys (called suet). In skincare, it's touted as a natural moisturizer rich in fatty acids, vitamins A, D, E, and K, and said to mimic the composition of our skin’s sebum.
This ancestral approach to skincare has gained traction in “clean beauty” circles and among the carnivore crowd, especially on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where the phrase “If you can't eat it, don’t put it on your skin” reigns supreme.
What Beef Tallow Claims to Do (Its Bill of Goods)
According to fans (ahem, not science), beef tallow:
Restores the skin barrier
Soothes eczema and dermatitis
Is “non-pore-clogging” and “ancestrally aligned”
Reduces the need for synthetic skincare ingredients
Delivers anti-aging benefits via fat-soluble vitamins
It’s often marketed as a cure-all: face moisturizer, body balm, diaper rash remedy, and even lip gloss.
The Science: Pros and Cons of Beef Tallow
Potential Benefits (Based on Components):
Occlusive & emollient: Like other animal fats, tallow can form a barrier on the skin, preventing transepidermal water loss (similar to petrolatum or lanolin)
Rich in saturated fatty acids: These can help support the skin barrier and soften dry skin.
Contains fat-soluble vitamins: Especially vitamins A and E, which have antioxidant properties.
Major Drawbacks:
Comedogenicity: Despite the hype, tallow is not universally non-comedogenic. It can clog pores, especially in acne-prone individuals.
Microbial contamination: Unless processed under strict standards, tallow can harbor bacteria. It’s animal fat, after all.
Oxidation & rancidity: Animal fats can go rancid if not properly stabilized, especially in DIY batches.
Allergic reactions & contact dermatitis: Although not common, they have been reported, mainly when the product is used on compromised skin.
Ethical & sustainability concerns: Depending on how the tallow is sourced, the cruelty-free and eco-friendly claims may be thin.
Why Dermatologists Don’t Recommend It
Let’s call it like it is: there is no strong scientific data supporting beef tallow as a preferred emollient, moisturizer, or skin treatment. Dermatologists don’t recommend it because:
There are safer, well-formulated, non-irritating, and non-comedogenic products with peer-reviewed backing.
It hasn’t been studied in clinical trials the way ceramides, hyaluronic acid, or niacinamide have.
It doesn’t meet the rigorous standards of consistency, stability, and safety that dermatology-grade skincare requires.
As a derm, I’m not saying you’ll spontaneously combust if you smear beef tallow on your cheeks. But if you’re looking to treat eczema, barrier damage, or dryness, there are better, more effective, less... nasty ways to go about it.
What to Use Instead (Based on Your Skin Goals)
| If You’re Using Beef Tallow For... | Try This Instead (Derm-Approved) |
|---|---|
| Skin barrier repair | CeraVe Healing Ointment, Avene Cicalfate, La Roche-Posay Cicaplast |
| Moisturizing dry, flaky skin | Vanicream Cream, First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream |
| Eczema relief | EpiCeram, Eucrisa, prescription topical steroids |
| Anti-aging benefits | Altreno or tretinoin, SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic |
| Natural occlusion | Petrolatum (Vaseline), lanolin, squalane |
Final Thoughts: Should You Rub Cow Fat On Your Face?
Beef tallow may sound rustic and romantic in an off-the-grid, “Laura Ingalls Wilder meets wellness TikTok” kind of way. But from a medical and dermatological standpoint? It’s just not worth the risk.
If you're into the idea of ancestral skincare, go for it, but do so with eyes wide open. Ask yourself:
Is the formulation stable?
Is your skin type truly compatible?
Are you willing to risk clogged pores or a barrier freak-out?
As for my nail salon? Let’s just say I’m side-eyeing the checkout counter and docking a few points. But I’m not quite ready to give up the pedicure chair...yet.