Beef Tallow as Skincare

Beef Tallow has gained popularity as a skincare product on social media in recent years, driven by the increasing demand for natural and sustainable beauty solutions. There are few studies investigating tallow as a skincare ingredient and its effects on dermatological conditions.

Tallow, a solid fat derived from animals, is increasingly being used in skincare products due to its high content of triglycerides, essential fatty acids, and fat-soluble vitamins which benefit the skin barrier. This research focuses on tallow isolated from cows, or “beef tallow”.

Both tallow and human sebum have high proportions of Palmitic Acid and Oleic Acid, allowing tallow to integrate into the skin's lipid matrix to support barrier function. Fatty acids and triglycerides act as vehicles to enhance the uptake of other beneficial compounds into keratinocytes, improving skin health. Additionally, natural oils and fats, including those derived from tallow, have been shown to enhance skin penetration and hydration, making them suitable for use in cosmetic emulsions. The use of natural lipids in skincare formulations is supported by their biocompatibility and ability to improve skin barrier function. Moreover, the presence of fat-soluble vitamins in tallow further amplifies its potential benefits, enhancing its ability to support skin health at a cellular level

Research on fatty acid components of tallow, such as Oleic, Stearic, Linoleic, and Palmitic Acids, supports its role in barrier recovery of the stratum corneum. Oleic Acid (OA), a monounsaturated fatty acid, is a recognised skin penetration enhancer. In vitro ultrastructural work shows that OA disrupts stratum corneum lipid packaging and may increase permeability. Akinshina et al. conversely show that OA may improve hydration. Microbial assays indicate OA inhibits Cutibacterium acnes lipase, suggesting potential anti-acne benefits. Stearic Acid supports hydration and skin barrier function without promoting abnormal keratinization in both bilayer modeling and keratinocyte studies.

Linoleic Acid (LA), although a minor tallow component, shows more consistent anti-acne and anti-inflammatory activity: in a clinical study, topical LA reduced microcomedone size, while in vitro sebocyte experiments confirmed its ability to downregulate inflammatory cytokines relative to palmitic acid.

However, these lipid components may also worsen acne. Oleic Acid may have pro-inflammatory effects and trigger sebaceous gland hyperactivity, potentially worsening acne. Palmitic Acid, a major component of sebum, has been shown to increase pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8 in sebocytes and can contribute to the pathogenesis of acne by promoting clogged pores. Stearic Acid can also provoke inflammation in excess, making it less suitable for oily acne-prone skin. Given the lipid composition of tallow, its classification as “non-comedogenic” on social media warrants further studies

Evidence for tallow benefit in eczema and psoriasis is similarly unclear. In the context of psoriasis, a study by El Mahi et al. found that areas of skin previously affected by psoriasis with higher Oleic Acid levels had a lower IL-17-driven inflammatory response. Additionally, Linoleic Acid has been demonstrated to decrease pro-inflammatory cytokines in human monocytic cells and promote wound healing.

In atopic dermatitis (AD), restoring lipid profiles is beneficial in principle, but outcomes depend on ex vivo ratios/vehicles. Eczema, which often improves with lipid (ceramide) supplementation, may benefit from formulations containing palmitic and stearic acids which have been shown in an ex vivo tape-stripped skin model to improve stratum corneum repair by boosting lipid production and transport, thereby strengthening the skin barrier. However, studies in both human and reconstructed-skin models demonstrate that oleic acid and other FFAs can increase trans-epidermal water loss over time, which may exacerbate eczema.

While rarely mentioned on social media posts is that the use of tallow may carry safety risks. For example, beef tallow may not be shelf-stable and requires proper storage to maintain quality. Animal-derived fats may be susceptible to microbial contamination during rendering and storage and its high proportion of unsaturated fatty acids increases the risk of rancidity. Further, in patients with atopic dermatitis or sensitive skin, bovine products may induce sensitising allergenic reactions. Finally, since beef tallow in skincare is used as a cosmetic ingredient, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not require pre-market approval, so there will be variability in product quality. Some research demonstrated 82 unique tallow retailers, each of which may all follow different quality guidelines, if any.

Despite growing anecdotal claims, evidence supporting beef tallow's benefits for skincare and dermatologic conditions remains insufficient. Many promotions of beef tallow for skin care are associated with financial bias.

(Financial bias was prevalent on all social media platforms, with Instagram (92%) and YouTube videos (74%) showing the highest rates. Tallow was most commonly recommended on Instagram (90%) and YouTube videos (84%), with posts on these platforms also being more likely to mention specific products or brands. Many posts endorsing tallow for skincare made claims about its efficacy for conditions like acne (29 posts), eczema (25 posts), and psoriasis (12 posts) For tables illustrating these points, refer top the original article mentioned below)

Further research is needed to evaluate its long-term effects, ideal formulations, and suitability for different skin conditions.

NOT MY OWN WORK. Taken from: (italics are mine)

L. Almatroud, S. Choi, K. Libson, and K. Ashack, “ Beef Tallow-Based Skincare Claims in Social Media: A Cross-Sectional Analysis,” Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 24, no. 12 (2025): e70544, https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.70544.

(College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA et alia)

This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.