The Effects of Tallow for Skin: Is It Good? Benefits and Side Effects

What Is Tallow?

Tallow is the rendered fat from the hard fatty tissue surrounding organs, mostly from cow’s kidneys and loins.

Before it is rendered, this fat is called suet, which has a tougher and grittier texture. When suet is slowly melted, the tough and grainy bits are strained out and leave a smooth and firm product called tallow.

Tallow is solid at room temperature and can last 12-18 months in the fridge and up to two years in the freezer. In addition to its culinary application as the cooking oil, tallow is used to make candles, soaps, and skincare products.

This variety in tallow applications is because it comes from different sources, which results in different types of tallow.

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Types of Tallow

There are different types of tallows, but 3 most common types of tallow are beef, grass-fed, and deer.

• Beef Tallow: It’s rendered fat from beef obtained from the suet around the kidneys and loins of cattle. Due to its high smoke point, it’s widely used in cooking for frying and baking. It adds a mild beefy flavor to dishes. Beef tallow is also used to make candles, soaps, and skincare products.
• Grass-Fed Tallow (Organic Tallow): This type of tallow is derived from cattle fed with grass rather than grains, which is more nutritious and eco-friendly. It’s higher in vitamins A, D, E, and K2, as well as omega-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), than normal beef tallow. So, it can be a better option for those who want organic products.
• Deer Tallow: This type of tallow is made from deer fat and is usually softer than beef tallow. It’s often used in traditional Native American cooking and in making cosmetic and skincare products.

These different types of tallow can be used to make various products for different uses and needs.

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Types of Products Made by Tallow

Tallow has been in use for many years for making skincare products like moisturizers, soaps, and creams, as well as candles and cooking.

• Candles: Tallow candles have a long burning time. They were commonly used before paraffin wax.
• Cooking Oil: Tallow is a good option for frying, roasting, and sautéing due to its high smoke point. It provides a mild flavor and is used as a cooking fat in many traditional cuisines.
• Soap: Tallow is a common ingredient in traditional soap-making. It produces a long-lasting bar with a rich and creamy lather. Tallow soap benefits like hydration and healing make it one the best choices for natural skincare.
• Cream: Tallow-based creams are used for their nourishing and soothing features. They are effective in treating dry and cracked skin and conditions like eczema.
• Moisturizer: Tallow is rich in fatty acids similar to those found in human skin, which makes it a natural moisturizer. It provides deep hydration and helps repair and protect the skin barrier - the outermost layer of the skin that protects it from harmful elements like bacteria and pollutants while keeping moisture in.

So, tallow is widely used in natural skin care products because it contains essential nutrients, which provide many benefits compared to chemical products.

Learn More: Lard vs. Tallow: How To Use These Fat Sources?

Tallow Benefits for Skin

Is beef tallow good for the skin? Yes, tallow has been used for centuries in skincare and has provided:

• Deep Moisturization
• Nutrient-Rich Composition
• Anti-Inflammatory Properties
• Antioxidant Protection

Deep Moisturization

One of the best benefits of tallow for the skin is its deep moisturization. Tallow contains fatty acids, such as palmitic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic acids, which are similar to the lipids found in human skin. This similarity allows tallow to penetrate the skin and deeply moisturize it.

This deep hydration helps repair the skin barrier, prevent moisture loss, and keep the skin soft and supple. Tallow is particularly effective for dry and damaged skin, restoring its natural moisture balance [1] [2].

Learn More: Tallow Lip Balm Recipe: Simple and Tinted

Nutrient-Rich Composition

Tallow is rich in essential vitamins, including A, D, E, and K, which play a vital role in maintaining skin health.

• Vitamin A: Promotes skin cell turnover and repair, which is essential for healing and rejuvenating the skin [3].
• Vitamin D: Supports skin cell growth, repair, and metabolism [4].
• Vitamin E: Acts as a powerful antioxidant, protecting the skin from free radical damage and environmental stressors [5].
• Vitamin K: Helps with healing and reducing skin discoloration, such as dark circles and scars [6].

These nutrients help nourish the skin, promote healing, and protect against damage, leading to healthier and more resilient skin.

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Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Tallow's fatty acid composition and the presence of vitamins A and E make it naturally anti-inflammatory. It soothes irritated skin and reduces inflammation, helping conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis [7].

Antioxidant Protection

Tallow, especially from grass-fed sources, is high in vitamin E and other antioxidants. These compounds help neutralize free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can cause skin damage and accelerate aging.

These antioxidants also protect the skin from UV radiation, pollution, and other environmental factors. This protection helps prevent premature aging, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and maintain a youthful, healthy complexion [8].

However, individuals with very sensitive skin or underlying skin issues may experience some side effects when using products of tallow for skin.

Learn More: Suet vs. Tallow: How Do These Dietary Fat Resources Differ?

Potential Side Effects of Using Tallow

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration lists and recognizes tallow products as safe. However, there are some potential side effects, including:

• Allergic Reactions: While tallow soaps are often free of common allergens, some people with very sensitive skin can still react to certain ingredients.
• Changes in Skin PH: Healthy skin has a pH of 5.4 to 5.9, but tallow soaps have a higher pH of 9 to 10. Some experts believe excessive use of tallow soap may disrupt the skin's natural pH and lead to dryness.
• Temperature Sensitivity: Tallow is sensitive to high temperatures. If exposed to heat, such as in a parked car during summer, it can separate and become grainy.

To avoid these risks, you need to know the important facts to check the quality of the tallow before applying it to your skin.

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Facts You Need to Know Before Using Tallow

Since our skin is sensitive to irritants and allergens, it’s important to check the quality of tallow before use to prevent potential issues. Here are some factors to help you make sure you’re using high-quality tallow for skin care.

• Odor: Tallow has a mild and natural scent that some people describe as slightly beefy. High-quality tallow, especially from grass-fed sources, tends to have a more neutral smell. If the tallow has a strong or unpleasant odor, it could indicate that it is of poor quality or has gone bad.
• Texture: Tallow is solid at room temperature but becomes soft and spreadable when warmed in your hands. It has a smooth and creamy texture that melts easily on the skin. If tallow has a grainy or lumpy texture, it may be a sign of poor quality or improper rendering.

• Ingredients: Pure tallow products contain rendered fat without any additives. However, some skincare products include additional ingredients like essential oils (lavender, tea tree), herbs (calendula, chamomile), or other natural oils (coconut oil) to enhance their benefits and improve the scent. Always check the ingredients to make sure you’re not allergic to them.

There are many brands producing beef tallow these days. With many available options, you should choose brands that use natural, high-quality raw materials and do not use artificial additives, such as the following brands.

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The Best Tallow Brands for Your Skin

Here are some of the best tallow brands selected based on their high-quality ingredients and consumer reviews:

• Vintage Tradition
• The Soap Kitchen
• Fatworks

Vintage Tradition

Vintage Tradition’s beef tallow balm and lip balms are versatile skincare products that can be used on your face, lips, hands, feet, and body. They are soft and spreadable, which makes them easy to apply and quickly absorbed by the skin.

They are made with pure, natural ingredients, such as certified organic extra virgin olive oil and 100% grass-fed cow tallow for skin care, which offer a nourishing and effective solution for many skin care needs.

Learn More: Ghee vs. Tallow: From Cooking to Skincare

The Soap Kitchen

The Soap Kitchen is a leading supplier of high-quality beef tallow with over 20 years of experience in the cosmetics industry. It is renowned in the UK and EU for its extensive range of soap-making and cosmetic products.

Its beef tallow is particularly well-suited for creating soaps, bath bombs, creams, and scrubs, which make it a valuable ingredient for various skincare products.

Learn More: Is Beef Tallow Healthier Than Vegetable Oil?

Fatworks

Fatworks specializes in premium skincare products from high-quality grass-fed tallows and organic oils. Its tallow-based products include

• Butter Me Up: A rich body butter that deeply moisturizes and smooths dry skin.
• Face Time: A face crème designed to hydrate and heal the skin with a gentle scent.
• Tallow Tush: A diaper crème that soothes and protects against rashes.

Happy Feet: A balm that softens and revitalizes dry, cracked feet.

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Summary

So, the answer to the question, “Is tallow good for the skin?” is yes. Tallow has been used for centuries for skin care as a hydrator and wound healer. Today, tallow is used as an ingredient in many natural creams like moisturizers.

Please remember to check the product’s label before using tallow for skin care to ensure you don’t have allergies to any of the ingredients used in it.