Beef tallow has uses that expand beyond the kitchen. It can be used as part of a healthy skin-care regimen.
Beef Tallow Can Help Moisturize Skin
“Besides the greasy feel of beef tallow, there likely is little downside to using it on the skin. That being said, there certainly are more elegant and well-formulated moisturizers to get the job done,” says Joshua Zeichner, MD, an associate professor of dermatology and the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.
But beef tallow does contain the same types of fats that are found naturally in our outer skin layer, he acknowledges.
“By applying it to the skin, it provides emollient benefits to help soften rough cells on the skin’s surface and offer hydration benefits. So beef tallow could be a good option for people who are looking for completely natural solutions for their skin,” says Dr. Zeichner.
This might sound a little “out there,” but fats have long been used in skin care for their hydrating and emollient benefits, he says.
“It also may provide anti-aging benefits by repairing the skin barrier,” says Zeichner.
Beef tallow may be found as an ingredient in traditionally formulated moisturizers, or it can be used in its pure form directly from the supermarket.
Beef Tallow Won’t Help Treat Acne
Some people consider beef tallow to be a natural treatment for acne breakouts, says Zeichner.
“However, given the high levels of oleic acid in beef tallow, I don’t recommend that people use it for acne — oleic acid is a fatty acid known to block the pores. In general, people should stick to benzoyl peroxide as an acne treatment,” he says.
Beef tallow may be found as an ingredient in traditionally formulated moisturizers, or it can be used in its pure form directly from the supermarket.