Move over slugging, a new viral “skincare sheriff” is in town.
Beef tallow is a type of rendered beef fat. It is made by slowly cooking beef to separate the fat from the meat and connective tissue. The result is a solid fat that has a rich, beefy flavour and has historically been used in cooking, baking, and frying.
Nowadays, however, it is yet another social media skincare hack promising you clear, smooth and hydrated skin…
Yes, I repeat, social media “skinfluencers” are promoting beef fat to apply to your face.
In case you needed a quick refresher, as a good rule of thumb, ingredients that are historically designed to be consumed should not be used on your skin. Especially part of your daily skincare regime.
But let us get into it a bit deeper.
Beef Tallow in Skincare
You will see endless videos on social media of beef tallow being promoted and used in DIY skincare balms, body butters, and lotions. If you are watching said videos and there is a link to their amazon store front – please just keep scrolling.
That goes for any DIY or food style solution to solving your skin woes.
Beef tallow contains fatty acids and vitamins that, on paper, sound like an ideal emollient. But before you commit and start slathering animal fat onto your skin here is what you should consider first about using beef tallow as skincare:
- Comedogenicity - The comedogenicity of an ingredient refers to its ability to block pores, which can lead to blackheads, whiteheads, and acne. Beef tallow is a heavy oil, and its high fat content makes it naturally occlusive, trapping acne bacteria in pores potentially worsening the condition. Because beef tallow is an oil-based product with a high concentration of saturated fats, it can feel quite heavy on the skin. This can be overwhelming for people with oily skin, as it may contribute to excess oil production or an overly greasy feeling on the skin.
- Skin Hydration Promise – Because of its oil content beef tallow may feel like it is soothing a dry skin spot, but it is not the holy grail answer for all-over skin hydration. Beef tallow is a fatty substance and does not contain water, which is a key component for hydrating the skin. Hydration in skincare is typically achieved through ingredients that attract water to the skin or lock it in. Ingredients such as humectants, hyaluronic acid or glycerine are imperative in hydrating skincare formulations.
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Allergic Reactions - If you have allergies to beef or other animal products, using beef tallow could trigger an allergic reaction.
Symptoms might include redness, itching, swelling, or hives. - Additives – Due to the nature of its smell many commercial beef tallow skincare products add fragrance, botanical extracts, or essential oils to mask the odour. These additives can play havoc on your skin which can potentially cause contact dermatitis, and should be a red flag for people who suffer from sensitive skin concerns like perioral dermatitis, eczema, or acne.
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Risk of Contamination - If the beef tallow is not rendered properly, it could contain impurities or contaminants. This can lead to skin irritation or infection, particularly if you are using tallow that has not been processed in a clean and sanitary environment.
Like any fat-based product, if tallow is not stored properly or is contaminated with bacteria, it can cause irritation. - Rancidity - Beef tallow can go rancid over time if it is not stored properly. Exposure to air, light, or heat can cause the tallow to degrade quickly and cause irritation when applied to the skin. Additionally, dipping your fingers into the jar is unhygienic, which can accelerate the product going rancid.
- Ethical and Environmental Concerns - Beef tallow is an animal-derived product, and its production raises ethical concerns for those who follow vegan or vegetarian lifestyles. Additionally, beef production has a significant environmental impact, including greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption, and land use. If sustainability or ethical sourcing is important to you then beef tallow an unsuitable choice.
- Retinol Alternative – Beef tallow does not have the same levels of vitamin A to provide the active benefits as retinoids which are known for their powerful ability to stimulate collagen production, speed up cell turnover, reduce wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.
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Beef Tallow Botox Claims – False. A thick oily product that sits on the surface of the skin will never impact or alter the facial muscles underneath.
Please use your common sense everyone.
Beef Tallow Conclusion
While beef tallow is blowing up on social media and touted as a skincare miracle we hate to break it to you, but you are best to leave this ingredient for cooking and stick to actual skincare formulations designed to help your skin.
Although, in theory, there are skin benefits of beef tallow that you will hear “skinfluencers” repeat, including:
- It contains fatty acids like oleic, palmitic, stearic and linoleic
- It will hydrate and protect the skins barrier function
- It will give you smooth, hydrated, glass - like skin
However, the downsides outlined above far outweigh the potential benefits.
Hmmm, I wonder what the next viral skincare hack on social media will be?
How AMPERNA® can Help
If you suffer from skin conditions, we are here to help you. AMPERNA®'s pre, pro and postbiotic infused skincare range is suitable for all skin types, including the most sensitive skin.
Our formulas contain skin-changing actives, whilst gently rebalancing the skins microbiome.
And find us on our socials here to check out our amazing before and afters.
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