Beef Tallow as a Moisturizer—No, Seriously

Another day, another wellness trend, of course!

But some trends aren’t as gimmicky as they sound. Even though slathering beef fat on our faces sounded like satire at first, it’s actually rooted in many ancient traditions.

Kim, the founder of Kushi Beauty and someone who swears by the single-ingredient moisturizer, hit us with a pretty persuasive history lesson:

“Tallow has been a staple in skincare routines for centuries, dating back to ancient civilizations. Its use can be traced back to traditional societies where it was prized for its moisturizing properties. Think: ancient Egypt, where it was commonly used in skincare rituals due to its ability to nourish parched skin under the desert sun. Tallow was also prevalent in medieval Europe, where it served as a primary ingredient in balms and ointments to soothe and protect the skin in harsh climates.”

Dr. Nigma Talib, a naturopathic doctor, also believes this natural product has some compelling benefits. She explained that it can be a great moisturizer, thanks to its rich fatty acids that are similar to those found in human skin.

Besides fatty acids, beef tallow also has:

• Emollient properties
• Vitamins A, D, E, and K
• Antioxidants

In addition to promoting a healthy skin barrier, these ingredients are non-comedogenic (unlikely to clog pores), making beef tallow a suitable choice for most skin types.

Of course, being an animal product, this isn’t suitable for vegans. And Dr. Talib cautions that patients with excessively oily skin who need internal gut microbiome support might want to work from the inside out before relying on tallow as a moisturizer.

Kim assures us, however, that even those with sensitive or breakout-prone skin (with the exception of gut-imbalanced skin issues Dr. Talib mentions above) can benefit from this surprisingly light lipid. It won’t contribute to new breakouts, which is almost too hard to believe. Something that is essentially beef grease is not going to give us pimples?

It has to do with protecting and nourishing our holy grail—the skin barrier.

“Tallow is rich in essential fatty acids like oleic acid and palmitic acid, which help nourish and repair the skin barrier,” Kim explains.

“These fatty acids act as building blocks for healthy skin cells, promoting a smoother, more resilient complexion. Additionally, tallow contains fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K, which provide antioxidant protection and support overall skin health. These vitamins help combat free radical damage, reduce inflammation, and promote collagen production, resulting in a more youthful and radiant appearance.

“Plus, tallow has antimicrobial properties, thanks to its high saturated fat content, which helps to keep pesky bacteria at bay and prevent breakouts.

“Some thoughtful formulations include essential oils for a more pleasant smell and whipped tallow that’s soft and light, so it’s not exactly a tub o’ lard. While you technically can safely eat it, we actually do recommend putting it on your face.

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