Beef Tallow Skincare Routine: Does It Work?

Beef Tallow has been having a bit of a ‘moment’ across social media the past few months — especially on TikTok, where it’s being hailed as a “miracle” moisturizer.  

You’re probably wondering if it’s all just hype.  

Considering that saturated fats like coconut oil can be comedogenic, shouldn’t animal fat also clog pores and lead to increased acne breakouts? 

What Are The Benefits of Beef Tallow?

If you aren’t vegan, beef tallow can provide bioavailable nutrients for the skin, along with essential fatty acids. 

Can Beef Tallow Clog Pores?

While we wouldn’t rush out and recommend beef tallow to those with acne-prone skin, there seems to be a lot of inaccurate information about beef tallow on both sides of the coin:

On the one hand, you have manufacturers that make beef tallow — promoting it as a total miracle for skin health, since it matches the “natural oils” found in your skin. To these companies, there are no drawbacks — which isn’t transparent. 

On the other hand, you have self-proclaimed dermatologists on TikTok, calling it pore clogging, despite its rating of 2 on the comedogenic scale. This is comparable to other skin-safe oils like jojoba, which are often recommended by dermatologists. 

So where does the truth lie? 

In practicality, somewhere in the middle:

• It’s important to ensure your skin is clean before the application of beef tallow because it can trap dirt and debris. AHA and BHA products can be used to cleanse the skin beforehand, ensuring nothing gets trapped once you apply beef tallow as a moisturizer. 
• Studies reaffirm that beef tallow can be beneficial for problematic skin conditions like dermatitis. 
• High-fat emulsions using beef tallow saw a reduction in inflammation, mast cell activation, and irritation. 
• Studies show that tallow increased skin hydration by up to 47.2% 3 hours after application. 
• Beef tallow contains beneficial linoleic acid, palmitic acid, and steric acid. 
• It is biocompatible. 
• Tallow contains Vitamins A, D, K, and E.
• There was no toxicity observed when applied to the skin in animal studies. 

On the downside, since tallow can create a lipid barrier on the surface of the skin, it becomes very easy to aggravate conditions like acne if the skin isn’t cleansed beforehand. 

A lot of people do not tolerate it well, and do develop pimples they hadn’t otherwise seen since high school. Like many other skincare products, there isn’t a uniform product that will work perfectly for every skin type — those with dry skin might find beef tallow a lot more beneficial than those who are acne-prone.     

What Kind of Beef Tallow Is Best for Skin?

Consistently touted as the “whole food” version of skincare – since it isn’t a fractioned oil or by-product, most beef tallow on the market is grass-fed. 

That being said, it’s always good to check the information online about a brand to learn more about where they source their product from. 

• Ideally, you’ll want to look for a product that indicates where the beef comes from and that it is 100% grass-fed AND grass-finished. 
• You don’t necessarily have to use beef tallow marketed as a skincare product. Beef tallow intended for culinary purposes/cooking is totally fine, as long as it’s high quality. 

For instance, WhoaNelly’s Beef Tallow is 100% grass-fed and finished. It’s also sourced from hormone and antibiotic-free cattle. They’re Canadian. 

AllFat is a Canadian, BC-based company that makes a natural Beef Tallow that is also 100% grass-fed AND finished. Their product is Halal-certified, and raised without antibiotics, hormones, or steroids. 

The cattle are Canadian and traceable directly back to the farm they were raised on. 

When Should I Use Beef Tallow in My Skincare Routine?

Most online guides will tell you that the best time to use beef tallow within a skincare routine is directly after cleansing. You’ll want to ensure you’re using it on clean, dry skin. 

• If you’re new to using beef tallow, we would highly recommend doing a patch test — using a small amount on a dry area to ensure that there isn’t any adverse reaction. 
• If you use any serums or toners, you’ll want to apply those first. And then, beef tallow can lock in hydration afterwards. Depending on how you notice your skin responding, you can increase or decrease the amount used (and the coverage). 
• Alternate with any pre-existing moisturizer — at least at the start. If you’re already using a product, it’s best to phase beef tallow in intermittently, using it every other day.