Beef tallow skincare is having a moment. This buzzy ingredient has been all over social media and is popping up from brand after brand lately. So what’s all the buzz about beef tallow and is this ingredient friend or foe for your skin? Our skincare experts spill the tea on this popular skincare trend here.
What Is Beef Tallow Skincare?
Beef tallow is rendered beef fat. Many skincare brands are coming out with moisturizers, balms and other tallow-based products as all-natural, single-ingredient options. Proponents of using beef tallow in skincare claim that it is deeply moisturizing and similar in composition to the natural oils in our skin. However, there is very limited research on these claims and the overall effects of tallow on the skin, making it difficult to recommend.
Is Beef Tallow Good for Your Skin?
While beef tallow may be moisturizing due to its high fat content, many claims surrounding its benefits, such as its ability to boost collagen production, are not scientifically proven. Collagen, a protein responsible for skin’s firmness, is produced within the skin or stimulated through certain topical ingredients like retinoids or vitamin C. Currently, there isn’t enough research to suggest that topical beef tallow can directly increase collagen in the skin.
Instead, any plumping or smoothing effect you might experience from beef tallow is likely due to its moisturizing properties, which can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines temporarily by hydrating the skin. Additionally, there may be some anti-inflammatory benefits to your skin, thanks to the natural lipids in tallow products.
Are There Side Effects to Beef Tallow Skincare?
The biggest downside to this buzzy ingredient is that it is highly comedogenic, meaning it can easily clog your pores. So if you have acne-prone or oily skin, this ingredient can quickly make matters worse. Instead, our skincare experts would be happy to sit down with you to assess your skin type and specific needs and provide customized medical-grade skincare recommendations for you to avoid making acne or oiliness worse.
Additionally, many tallow products have a high pH, making them much more alkaline than your skin, which has a slightly acidic pH of around 5.5. Raising the pH of your skin too much can have a drying effect, so it’s possible that some tallow products could make your skin feel dry, flaking or itchy instead of hydrated.
Bottom Line: Should You Try Beef Tallow?
If you have resistant skin and want to give this trending ingredient a try, it’s probably not going to cause any harm – and if you like it, all the better! But if you struggle with oiliness, breakouts or clogged pores, this ingredient should be a hard pass. The truth is, there are much better ingredients out there when it comes to hydrating your skin and smoothing away wrinkles that aren’t going to clog your pores or feel heavy on your skin.
Come talk to us about the best skincare brands and products for you by calling our Sarasota office at 941-955-8384 or contacting us online to schedule a consultation with our skincare experts.
