From the Guidelines
Using beef tallow in skincare is not recommended due to its potential to cause irritation and adverse effects, and there is limited evidence to support its benefits. The use of any particular moisturizer or active ingredient in an emollient cannot be recommended based on the limited available evidence, as noted in a 2023 study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 1.
Key Considerations
- Beef tallow is highly comedogenic (pore-clogging) and may cause acne breakouts, especially for those with oily or acne-prone skin.
- There is a lack of strong evidence to support the use of beef tallow in skincare, and its potential benefits are outweighed by the risks of adverse effects.
- Plant-based oils like jojoba or squalane are generally safer, more effective alternatives that provide similar benefits without the risks associated with animal fats.
Recommendations
- If you want to try beef tallow, use a small amount (pea-sized) on a test area of skin for a week to check for reactions.
- Apply it to damp skin after cleansing, focusing on dry areas, and use it sparingly, no more than once daily.
- For most people, it's better to stick with dermatologist-recommended moisturizers formulated for your skin type, which are less likely to cause irritation or breakouts.
Evidence-Based Practice
The 2023 study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology notes that moisturizers are generally safe, with rare serious adverse effects, but the literature on atopic dermatitis treatment supports a strong recommendation for moisturizer use based on moderate certainty evidence 1. Another study published in 2011 in the same journal discusses the use of emollients and ointments in the treatment of psoriasis, but notes that there is limited evidence to support their benefits 1.
From the Research
Effects of Beef Tallow on Skin
- The use of beef tallow in skincare has been studied for its potential therapeutic benefits, with some research suggesting it may be beneficial for skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis 2.
- A scoping review of the current research on tallow found that while there is evidence to support its use on skin, more research is needed to fully understand its effects, particularly in terms of side effects and long-term use 3.
- Some studies have investigated the use of beef tallow as a component of a mixture of ingredients, finding that it may help to attenuate atopic dermatitis in mice 2.
- Other research has focused on the development of low-trans margarine fat analogs to beef tallow, which may have implications for the use of tallow in skincare products 4.
Skin Conditions and Beef Tallow
- Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that may be alleviated by the use of beef tallow, either alone or as part of a mixture of ingredients 2.
- The use of beef tallow in skincare products may also be beneficial for other skin conditions, such as psoriasis, although more research is needed to confirm this 5.
Stability and Moisturizing Properties
- Emulsions based on enzymatic interesterified fat blends, including beef tallow, have been found to exhibit good stability and moisturizing properties, making them potentially useful for skincare products 5.
- The stability and sensory properties of these emulsions can be optimized by adjusting the content of thickener and the homogenization process 5.
Comparison with Other Ingredients
- Beef tallow has been compared to other ingredients, such as cleansing creams and bars, in terms of its mildness and potential for skin irritation 6.
- The results of these comparisons suggest that beef tallow may be a useful ingredient in skincare products, although more research is needed to fully understand its effects 3, 6.