Beef Tallow For Skincare: The Ancient Beauty Secret Making a Comeback

In the world of skincare and beauty there sems to be a new "Miracle" ingredient hitting the shelves on a weeky basis. But what if one of the best skincare remedies has been around for centuries? Introducing Beef Tallow, an ancient natural and incredibly effective skincare ingredient that recently has been seeing a resurgence. This came to my attention after seeing my girlfriend and her friends rubbing tallow on their faces, but apparently it's one of the hottest things in skincare right now. In todays post we're going to take a closer look at beef tallow and its fascinating history in skincare as well as why its making a comeback today, and the potential benefits it offers. 

What is Beef Tallow?

Beef Tallow is a rendered form of beef fat typically derived from cows. Beef Tallow has a waxy consistency at room temperature but becomes liquid when heated. Once a kitchen staple for cooking, frying and even candle making, beef tallow is now being rediscovered for its incredible benefits for skin and skin health. 

You may also have seen beef tallow making a comeback as a food ingredient as well with the recent rise of people concerned about and avoiding seed oils. In today's post however we're going to be looking at beef tallow in the skincare realm as its becoming popular as a natural skincare product without synthetic additives, beef tallow is rich in natural vitamins and fatty acids. When sourced from grass-fed cows it becomes even more nutrient dense. 

The History of Beef Tallow in Skincare

Before modern cosmetics, which are made from chemicals and seed oils, people relied on natural ingredients to care for their skin and beef tallow was a go to remedy. Historically people used beef tallow in Europe and North America for centuries with early settlers and indigenous communities who often combined beef tallow with herbs to create soothing salves and balms. 

In the 1800s and early 1900s, tallow based soaps were considered household essentials. These soaps were prized for their gentle cleansing properties and their ability to keep skin soft and hydrated. As commercial skincare took off in the mid 20th century, tallow fell out of popularity, replaced by synthetic ingredients and petroleum based products. 

With the recent surge in the popularity of natural products as well as avoiding petroleum and chemical products, we're seeing a rise in the popularity of clean, traditional natural remedies and beef tallow is making its way back into the skincare spotlight. 

Why Is Beef Tallow Popular Again?

As people are becoming more conscious of what they're putting on their skin, the demand for simple, natural and effective ingredients has skyrocketed and beef tallow checks all those boxes. 

Many skincare enthusiasts and holistic health experts are seeking alternatives to chemical laden lotions and creams. Beef Tallow, in particular Grass-Fed Beef Tallow offers a nourishing and chemical free option that aligns perfectly with this clean beauty movement. 

We're also seeing trends like "Ancestrial Living" movement gaining traction where people are rediscovering the benefits of traditional time tested remedies with beef tallow being a perfect example of an ancient skincare solution which has been proven over generations. 

The Benefits of Beef Tallow For Skin

Beef tallow is packed with nutrients which closely mimic the natural oils found in human skin making it an excellent natural moisturizer.

Rich in Vitamins A, D, E and K

These fat soluble vitamins are esential for skin health and encourage cell regeneration as well as support healing. 

Fatty Acid Profile Similar to Human Skin

Beef Tallow contains oleic acid, palmitic acid, and stearic acid, the same types of fatty acids found in our skin's sebum which makings it deeply hydrating and nourishing. 

Supports The Skin Barrier

The natural lipids in tallow help to strengthen the skin's protective barrier. 

Non-Toxic & Chemical Free

Beef Tallow is all natural allowing you to avoid harmful chemicals, fragrances and preservatives commonly found in commercial skincare products. 

Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Natural fats found in tallow can help soothe irritated or inflamed skin making it great for conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and dry skin. 

How to Use Beef Tallow in Your Skincare Routine

Incorporating beef tallow into your routine is surprisingly easy. You can use beef tallow you find in the food section at your local grocery store or costco as a lip balm, to make a DIY salve, as a face moisturizer or in a tallow balm which you can make by melting beef tallow with a bit of jojoba oil an a few drops of essential oil. There's also commercially available beef tallow whips and creams available on sites like Amazon and Etsy. 

Is Beef Tallow Right For You?

If you're looking for a natural, nutrient rich and effective way to care for your skin beef tallow is worth considering. Beef Tallow is especially beneficial for those with dry, sensitive or compromised skin barriers as well as those looking to avoid chemicals, dyes, and preservatives in their skincare products. That said if you have a beef allergy or prefer vegan skincare beef tallow may not be the best choice for you and you could look for alternatives like shea butter or coconut oil which offer similar benefits but are plant based. 

Wrapping Up

Beef Tallow is more than just a kitchen by product, its an all natural skincare powerhouse with a rich history and a bright future in the clean beauty world. With its impressive nutrient profile and compatibility with our skins natural oils, beef tallow makes an excellent option for anyone seeking a simple, effective and time tested skincare solution. 

Author

John has been helping people in the fitness and nutrition industry for over 10 years. He is an avid biker, hiker and fitness enthusiast. Most notably, you can find him on Youtube instructing viewers about the newest products to hit the supplement industry.

John Frigo