Tallow In The News!
The beauty and wellness world has undergone a seismic shift. Gone are the days of long ingredient lists, unpronounceable chemicals, and synthetic fragrances dominating skincare routines. Instead, a growing number of people are turning to ancestral methods and natural remedies that have stood the test of time. At the heart of this shift is a surprising yet powerful ingredient: beef tallow.
Tallow is making headlines for its potent skin-healing properties. It has earned a cult following among wellness experts, holistic dermatologists, athletes, and celebrities who swear by its transformative effects. And, we're here to tell you why beef fat isn't just a phase.
What Is Beef Tallow?
Beef tallow is the rendered form of suet, the hard fat found around the kidneys and loins of cows. When rendered correctly, especially from 100 percent grass-fed, pasture-raised cattle, tallow becomes a nutrient-rich, shelf-stable fat with a smooth, balm-like consistency. It has been used for centuries in cooking, candle-making, and yes, skincare.
Traditional cultures across Europe, Africa, and Indigenous North America relied on tallow for its healing properties. Its resurgence is not a trend but a return to the roots of skincare, honouring wisdom that modern beauty science is finally catching up with.
The Nutritional Powerhouse Behind Tallow
What sets beef tallow apart is its nutritional density and bioavailability. Unlike synthetic moisturizers that sit on the skin's surface, tallow mimics the skin's natural sebum. This means it is readily absorbed and provides deep nourishment.
Tallow contains:
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Vitamins A, D, E, and K: These fat-soluble vitamins are essential for skin regeneration, protection from oxidative stress, and collagen production.
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Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA): Known for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
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Palmitic and Stearic Acid: Saturated fats that support the skin barrier, enhance moisture retention, and reduce water loss.
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Oleic Acid: Helps with softening the skin and enhancing permeability.
These compounds work synergistically to protect the skin, reduce inflammation, and promote a healthy, resilient barrier.
Why Athletes Are Using Tallow
Athletes are particularly vulnerable to skin issues due to high levels of physical stress, exposure to the elements, and frequent showers that strip the skin's natural oils. Many have historically relied on steroid creams, synthetic lotions, and petroleum-based balms to treat dry skin, chafing, and inflammation.
Former professional rugby player Adam Ashe is a notable example. After struggling with post-training inflammation and skin issues, Ashe discovered the benefits of beef tallow and co-founded a tallow-based skincare company. He describes the results as transformative, citing fewer breakouts, improved skin elasticity, and faster recovery after intense workouts.
Endurance athlete Matt Johnson, known for running across Texas, turned to our magnesium tallow balm during his recovery periods. He reported reduced muscle soreness and faster skin healing after exposure to extreme sun and wind. Stories like these are becoming increasingly common in athletic circles.
Why Celebrities Are Ditching Big Skincare
In Hollywood, where appearances are everything and skin health is paramount, celebrities are moving away from multi-step routines filled with chemicals and preservatives. Instead, they're opting for simplified, back-to-basics regimens rooted in ancestral practices. Now more than ever, celebrities are spreading awareness about wellness and non-toxic lifestyles. They have access to emerging science and information about clean beauty.
Social media, especially TikTok and Instagram, has played a significant role in driving the tallow conversation forward. Hashtags like #tallowskincare and #tallowbalm have amassed millions of views, showcasing before-and-after transformations, ingredient breakdowns, and DIY tutorials.
Influencers like Hannah Bronfman have credited tallow balm for improving their glow and supporting skin resilience. Nara Smith and her husband, model Lucky Blue Smith, are known for their homemade tallow routines, often highlighting it in content focused on eczema and barrier repair. Even pop culture is taking notice; tallow-based creams have made appearances in series like Netflix’s The Perfect Couple, a nod to its rising visibility.
Celebrity aestheticians have also begun integrating tallow into red-carpet facial prep, attracted by its nourishing composition and ability to calm inflammation before major events.
The Controversy
Beef tallow’s rising popularity hasn’t come without controversy. On YouTube and TikTok, it’s become a lightning rod for opinions, with creators debating its safety, mocking its origins, or using it as clickbait for dramatic skincare transformations. But scroll past the surface-level hot takes, and you’ll find a different story in the comment sections. There, users from all walks of life are sharing deeply personal stories of skin healing, from calming cystic acne to soothing eczema and rebuilding damaged skin barriers. For many, tallow is not just a trend; it’s the first thing that’s actually worked.
Here's The Science
The effectiveness of tallow is grounded in science. The skin's outer layer, the stratum corneum, is composed primarily of lipids. These lipids are essential for maintaining hydration, protecting against pathogens, and supporting barrier function.
Because tallow closely resembles the molecular structure of human sebum, it is uniquely capable of replenishing these lipids. It penetrates the skin easily, delivering fat-soluble vitamins directly to cells. This not only enhances hydration but also promotes skin repair and regeneration.
Modern moisturizers, on the other hand, often contain emulsifiers, alcohols, and synthetic fragrances that can disrupt the skin barrier over time. Even products labeled as "natural" can include seed oils high in polyunsaturated fats, which are unstable and prone to oxidation. Tallow, being composed of mostly saturated and monounsaturated fats, is more stable and less likely to cause irritation.
Addressing Common Misconceptions
One of the most persistent myths about tallow is that it clogs pores. However, this is largely unfounded when using high-quality, purified tallow. The comedogenicity of skincare products depends not just on the ingredient itself but on the overall formulation, how it interacts with your skin type, and how it's applied.
Many people with acne-prone or sensitive skin report that switching to tallow-based balms helped calm inflammation and reduce breakouts. This may be due to its anti-inflammatory profile and its ability to support the skin microbiome without stripping it.
Tallow vs. Conventional Skincare: A Comparison
| Feature | Tallow Skincare | Conventional Moisturizer |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredient Source | Grass-fed animal fat | Synthetic or plant-derived oils |
| Shelf Stability | Naturally preserved | Often requires preservatives |
| Skin Compatibility | Mimics human sebum | Can disrupt barrier function |
| Vitamins | Rich in A, D, E, K | Often isolated or synthetic |
| Texture | Whipped balm or solid | Lotion or cream-based |
Sustainability and Ethical Sourcing
Another reason tallow is gaining popularity is its role in sustainable living. When sourced ethically, tallow is a zero-waste byproduct of the regenerative farming movement. It utilizes parts of the animal that would otherwise go unused and repurposes them into nutrient-rich skincare.
Tallow supports local agriculture, reduces reliance on petrochemicals, and aligns with holistic health values. Consumers are becoming more conscious of their purchases, and products that align with environmental stewardship are increasingly favored.
The Role of Ancestral Skincare in Modern Wellness
The rise of tallow-based skincare is part of a larger movement that embraces ancestral wellness; living in harmony with nature, prioritizing whole foods, and choosing ingredients with deep cultural and historical roots.
Incorporating tallow into a skincare routine is not just a beauty decision but a lifestyle choice that supports hormonal health, reduces exposure to endocrine disruptors, and honours time-tested traditions.
How to Choose the Right Tallow Product
Not all tallow is created equal. For best results, look for:
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Grass-fed, pasture-raised sources
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Small-batch production
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No added synthetic fragrance or stabilizers
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Complementary ingredients like magnesium, frankincense, or calendula
Beef tallow isn’t a gimmick or a passing trend. It’s a return to simplicity, a nod to ancestral wisdom, and a powerful tool for modern skincare. Athletes turn to it for recovery. Celebrities use it to maintain that coveted glow. Everyday people are rediscovering its benefits after years of struggling with products that never quite delivered.
Tallow offers something most moisturizers can’t: real nourishment, real results, and a deeper connection to what it means to take care of your skin. The best part about having a small skincare brand is that we see firsthand how real people benefit from tallow. Having celebs endorse this movement is just a cherry on top. Come and see what all the hype is about.
References:
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Food & Wine. "The Latest Trend in Skincare? Putting Beef Fat on Your Face."
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The Guardian. "Is beef tallow good for your skin? TikTokers say yes – but dermatologists aren’t so sure."
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Wired. "I Have Beef With Tallow."
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Adam Ashe Interview, The Times UK
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Clinical studies on fatty acid profiles and skin barrier function
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USDA data on grass-fed beef fat composition
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Journal of Lipid Research: Structure and Function of Human Sebum