I Tried the Best Beef Tallow for Skin So You Don’t Have To
My face has been through it. Acne that laughed in the face of prescriptions. Perioral dermatitis that made me look like I had a permanent allergic reaction; skin so dry and dehydrated that even slugging with Vaseline felt like tossing a Dixie cup of water onto a house fire.
I had tried everything. Fancy serums, terrifying exfoliants, a 12-step Korean routine that cost me a small fortune. And then, in an act of desperation (and, okay, deep TikTok brainwashing), I rubbed beef fat all over my face — reader, I have never looked back.
What is Beef Tallow?
Beef tallow — yes, the stuff your ancestors fried stuff in — turned out to be the skin savior I never saw coming. It’s packed with vitamins A, D, E, and K, mimics the natural oils in human skin, and is basically the anti-inflammatory, barrier-repairing miracle Big Skincare doesn’t want you to know about.
Within one week, my perioral dermatitis vanished from view and the texture smoothed out… like, by 20%. By week two, my acne calmed, and my formerly sandpaper-textured skin felt soft. And because I’m now evangelical about smearing rendered animal fat on my face, I have tested many versions of beef tallow skincare. Below, I present the absolute best of the best — whether you need something for acne, eczema, aging, or just an unscented miracle to slather from head to toe.
Where to Buy Beef Tallow Skin Products?
Amazon
- Hydrating, not greasy
- Smells like citrus and honey
- Soothes breakouts
- Clean, natural ingredients
Cons:
- Jar packaging (finger-dipping required)
- Not vegan
The Harvest & Herd Citrus & Honey Tallow Balm is a powerhouse for acne-prone skin, blending grass-fed tallow with raw honey and citrus essential oils to create a deeply nourishing, antibacterial salve. Packed with natural healing properties, this balm hydrates without clogging pores, soothes inflammation, and supports skin barrier repair. The tallow mimics skin’s natural oils, making it a perfect match for those battling breakouts without wanting to drown their face in synthetic gunk. Its thick, buttery texture melts into the skin, leaving behind a subtle, fresh scent — like a farmer’s market, but make it skincare.
Listen, I was skeptical about smearing beef fat on my already temperamental face, but this balm? Black magic. It’s like my skin got a personal apology note from the universe. The citrus makes it smell like I’m rubbing a gourmet pastry on (which, frankly, I deserve), and the honey keeps things just sticky enough to feel like it’s doing something. Within a week, my breakouts looked less like a rebellion and more like a mild disagreement. Not a miracle, but definitely a new religion.
How I Tested
I didn’t just dab a little tallow on and call it a day — I put these balms, butters, and creams through the wringer. Here’s how I tested each product to see if beef fat could actually earn a spot in my routine:
- Duration: I tested each product for six weeks, giving my skin time to adjust and react.
- Application areas: I used tallow on both face and body, paying close attention to hydration levels, texture, and any signs of irritation.
- Environmental conditions: I tested in different settings:
- Cold, dry winter air (NYC wind tunnel streets, thanks)
- Post-shower on damp skin to see if it locked in moisture
- Under makeup to check if it played well with foundation
- Before bed to see if I woke up looking hydrated or like an oil slick
- Absorption & texture: I tracked how quickly each product melted into my skin, if it felt greasy, and whether it left any residue.
- Breakout risk: As someone prone to surprise breakouts, I watched closely to see if tallow clogged pores or caused irritation.
- Scent factor: Some tallow-based products claim to be odorless when they smell like a literal farm — so I took notes on what was pleasantly subtle versus barnyard chic.
- Healing properties: Since tallow is supposed to be great for repairing dry patches, fine lines, and irritation, I monitored any improvements in skin texture, flakiness, and redness over time.
I went in skeptical because, let’s be real, beef fat in skincare sounds like a prank. But after six weeks? Let’s just say that some of these products might have earned a permanent spot on my shelf.
FAQs
Does Beef Tallow Actually Help Skin?
Beef tallow, rendered from cow fat, has gained attention in skincare due to its rich composition of fatty acids, such as oleic, palmitic, stearic, and linoleic acids, which can form a protective barrier, sealing in moisture and supporting the skin barrier. Additionally, tallow contains vitamins A, D, E, and K, nutrients beneficial for skin health. A 2024 medical review highlighted tallow’s hydrating and moisturizing properties, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits for conditions like dermatitis, psoriasis, dry skin, and wounds. However, the same review emphasized significant research gaps regarding its efficacy and safety in human skincare, indicating the need for more comprehensive studies.
Will Tallow Clog My Pores?
Beef tallow’s potential to clog pores, or its comedogenicity, is a subject of ongoing discussion. Some sources suggest that tallow is non-comedogenic, meaning it is unlikely to clog pores. However, other research indicates that beef tallow is quite comedogenic and may lead to breakouts. Given these differing perspectives, it’s advisable to conduct a patch test before incorporating tallow into your skincare routine, particularly if you’re prone to acne or have sensitive skin. For some, it’s an acne-prone person’s saving grace; for others, it simply doesn’t do the job.
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