Halal & Grassfed Beef Tallow for Skincare
Is Tallow just a trend?
Mom & I began our Halal & Grassfed Beef Tallow Skincare Business three months before tallow took over social media by storm. From TikTok & Instagram Reels to articles in Cosmo, Tallow became every skincare guru’s top recommendation.
You may be wondering, what’s with the hype around Beef Tallow Skincare, and is it even all that? Despite the wave it’s making in social media today, Tallow has been used in skincare, cooking, and candle-making since the Bronze Age. Whether you look at the history of Ancient Greece and Rome, in early African traditions, or in South Asia, you will find Tallow being used in various ways.
In the Middle Ages, Tallow (and animal fats in general) were commonly used in candle-making and soap-making. Ancient Egyptians even used it for sun protection! They would render animal fats including tallow, and use as balms to keep skin supple and protect against the harsh sun. Tallow was a sustainable way of using a common byproduct to make healing creams and long-lasting soap.
Tallow was also used in infection prevention and common skin diseases due to its anti-bacterial properties.
Why Beef Tallow Is Used on Skin
Although tallow was a commonly used well until the 1900s, it quickly faded away as skincare became commercialized. As time passed, commercial companies began trading in nutrient-rich tallow for cheaper oils such as palm oil, which were easier to mass produce and save on costs. Synthetic formulas which could sit on shelves for years on end became sought after and ‘trendy.’
As saturated fats became swapped out for vegetable oils in cooking, society’s aversion of fats took a toll on Tallow as well. However, despite mainstream society’s shift away from ancient skincare ingredients, humble villages, homesteading communities, and towns close to farmland continued using Tallow, both for its rich nutrients, and a way to maintain a no-waste and farm-to-table lifestyle.
One of the reasons we believe Beef Tallow is making such a comeback, is because its benefits are beginning to be more widely recognized. More than almost any skincare base, it is bio-similar to our sebum (skin oil). When applied, our skin recognizes it, absorbs it deeply, and makes use of its nutrients in a way that makes Beef Tallow extremely effective for all skin types.
Beef Tallow Skin Benefits
Mom and I discovered the use of tallow through a Youtube video about a homesteader’s approach to natural skincare.
We learned how the rich Fatty Acids in Beef Tallow can drastically improve conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and dryness. Its ability to protect the skin barrier and aid in moisture retention makes Beef Tallow a go-to for many who struggle with dry skin.
We also explored the way Grassfed Beef Tallow’s vitamin Content ( A, D, E, and K) and Conjugated Linoleic Acid (an important omega-6) content makes it a powerhouse when helping reduce inflammation, acne, rosacea, hyperpigmentation and eczema. Many of our customers who have oily and acne-prone skin have even remarked at the way Tallow helps reduce acne scars and even balance excess oil production.
Are There Risks of Using Beef Tallow on Skin?
The risks of using Beef Tallow are minimal. Being a natural product which compliments dry, combination, AND oily skin, makes tallow a popular choice for the face and body.
In fact, its rich fatty acid content makes it effective for particularly sensitive skin. We’ve had customers as young as 4 months old use our All Natural Tallow Butter for cradle cap and eczema.
However, skin, like people, is unique. We ALWAYS recommend patch testing any new skincare product, including Tallow, and avoiding tallow mixed with essential oil if you have especially sensitive skin, peeling skin, or reactive skin.
If you are on the oilier side, you may not need a skincare product which is deeply hydrating like Beef Tallow. It may feel heavy and clog pores if your pores are prone to clogging easily. We recommend starting with a small batch, and trying out our oily-skin recommended soaps like our Charcoal Tallow Soap designed to help pull out excess oil and reduce clogging.
How to Use Beef Tallow Safely on Skin
With our Beef Tallow Skincare, less is more! When people experience oily or non-absorbent tallow, chances are they are applying too much.
With commercial water-based lotions, you need a whole lot to feel deeply nourished. With Tallow, it is the opposite. A small pea-sized amount is enough for your face. When a small amount is applied onto damp skin, Tallow sinks in beautifully, leaving a plum, radiant look. You can be a bit more generous in application on the body, especially during cold/dry months like our Canadian winters.
When trying out our Tallow Butters, our All Natural Face & Body Butter is ideal for sensitive skin. It is unscented and minimal. Our scented Tallow Butters are also sensitive skin-friendly, however patch testing is always recommended due to Essential Oil allergies or those highly sensitive to plants & scents.
FAQs
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Yes! Beef Tallow is commonly used as a facial moisturizer, given its ability to absorb quickly, lock in moisture, boost collagen production, and help fade acne, scarring, and reduce eczema,
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Every skin type is different, and while Beef Tallow generally isn’t the sole cause of breakouts, we recommend patch testing, using small amounts, and avoiding essential oils for highly sensitive skin.
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Our Beef Tallow Butters make a wonderful replacement for a moisturizer. It’s a way to minimize your skincare routine while choosing a product which contains all the fatty acids and vitamins your skin needs for a healthy, plump, smooth look
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Results range from days to weeks based on customer feedback. Lifestyle matters too. If you are eating clean, applying our Tallow Butter regularly, and working on maintaining a healthy Gut, you should see results in no time!
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Yes, yes, and yes. We use halal, pasture-raised 100% grassfed and grassfinished, and hormone & anti-biotic free tallow because the animals experience less stress, and the tallow is richer in Fatty Acids and Vitamins (like higher Vitamin E and Conjugated Linoleic Acid content) which optimize skin health.
Final Verdict – Is Beef Tallow Good for Skincare?
Not only has Beef Tallow been used for skincare throughout history but recent use & experience suggests it is a powerful source of Nutrients, Vitamins, and Fatty Acids making it a must try for every skincare enthusiast.
While our Beef Tallow Soaps and Butters have received incredible feedback including helping with eczema, acne, rosacea, and hyper pigmentation, we must stress that Tallow is not a cure. Hormonal imbalances, diet, and lifestyle all impacts skin health. We encourage a holistic approach of finding balance between internal and external health for the best skin results!
Try our Sample Sets to experience a sampler of our butters and soaps and see which your skin respond to best!