The Benefits of Beef Tallow for Skin

Most people have heard of beef tallow. Many of them associate it with being just cow fat, or that fat they drain off their ground beef after browning it. 

Others believe that it's just to be used for cooking, or as an industrial lubricant, biodiesel, etc., or even to grease parts, but that's far from the whole truth. 

That type of fat, or "by-product", is known as muscle fat, which is not the same thing as tallow, so it helps to know what you're getting.

What Is Beef Tallow?

The beef tallow that is used for skin care is actually the purified, rendered fat that comes from the suet of cattle, which has a similar texture to coconut oil or butter. 

Suet is the name for the nutrient-rich, hard fat that surrounds the animal's kidneys. This can also be used in a variety of applications, which include a healthy way of frying food and even making candles!  

There are also different qualities of tallow as well, so not just any will do, so reading the labels is important. The tallow that comes from grass-fed cows, raised outside with plenty of fresh water and sunshine, is different from the tallow that comes from factory-farmed, steroid-injected and genetically modified cows. 

Isn’t It Only for Cooking?

Now that we know it's not just "cow fat" that's just used for cooking, can it be used for skin care? 

Commercial tallow used for cooking often includes a mixture of fats from other animals and plant sources such as pigs, sheep, and seed oils so it's not really recommended for your skin. 

The purified beef tallow used for skin care is a much "cleaner" product than the commercial type and can be used for the skin on the young, the old or even on a baby's butt! 

Is It Safe To Use on Skin?

Beef tallow is a high source of an essential fatty acid called CLA. CLA is Conjugated Linoleic Acid, a fatty acid with anti-inflammatory properties. 

The fatty acids found in beef tallow are also generally compatible with human skin, but not everyone can use it on their skin. Beef tallow is relatively high on the 'Comedogenic Scale", which on some people can cause pores to clog. 

Some others who are prone to breakouts should be aware that, in some cases could be made worse. Like with most skin products, always use a bit of caution. 

On a more positive note, there are several very beneficial fatty acids in beef tallow, like Omega-3s. A few of the other important ones are shown here:

• Palmitoleic Acid: This provides antimicrobial benefits and supports skin health.

• Stearic Acid: This supports the skin’s lipid barrier and reduces dryness.

• Oleic Acid: A fatty acid that supports overall skin health.

Beef Tallow is Biocompatible

Room temperature beef tallow is mainly made up of "triglycerides", including oleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid (as mentioned above) ,as well as linoleic acid, essential fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. 

Its high triglyceride content also makes it an effective and natural moisturizing agent. These are often marketed as a more biocompatible alternative to petroleum-based skincare products, which many are trying to avoid these days.

Beef Tallow Contains Bioavailable Nutrients

Beef tallow has high levels of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. 

These are also essential for immune health, bone strength, vision, antioxidant activity, blood clotting, vitality, as well as for the skin. These bioavailable nutrients can be absorbed through the skin as well as when consumed in a healthy diet. 

Beef Tallow Isn’t for Everyone, But It Can Provide Lasting Natural Moisturization 

Not everyone can just start applying beef tallow to their skin. Some people need an adjustment period where they might experience effects that may include skin purging and flakiness. 

There are also other factors to consider, such as environmental issues (like dusty buildings, or outdoor activities, to name a couple), dietary habits, or even hormonal factors. These are more reasons to be sure to get a beef tallow sourced with natural, high-quality ingredients using ethical methods.

According to dermatologists, beef tallow is packed with fatty acids that can hydrate and strengthen the skin barrier when applied topically. 

When sourced from grass-fed beef, tallow contains numerous beneficial ingredients and can give the user's skin improved elasticity, better appearance and even a "healthy glow" that everyone could notice!

There are two common types of beef tallow. There's the tallow sourced from conventionally raised, or "Factory farmed" cattle, which generally gets processed and refined and contains varying amounts of additives that are becoming increasingly unpopular, and from grass-fed cattle.

Because of its high levels of essential fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, beef tallow from grass-fed cattle is more highly recommended to use on the skin as opposed to the tallow from "Factory-farmed" cattle, which has a slightly different fatty acid makeup.