I Did NOT Try Beef Tallow for My Skin - And Here's Why

Human written by Dr. Heather Smith. Links are non-affiliate.

Beef tallow for skin?? I’ve seen a lot of weird things in skincare, but when this topic started trending on TikTok, I had to pause. Are we really doing this? Are we really calling cow fat the secret to glowing skin?

I did not try it — and I don’t need to — because I actually looked at the science. Spoiler: the glow comes with a side of breakouts and barnyard funk.

Honestly, if bacon grease ever gets a decent PR campaign, it’ll be next.

The idea that animal fat is somehow more “ancestral” or skin-compatible than thousands of years of elegant plant oils is one of the more bizarre trends to come out of skincare social media.

Let’s unpack why this one’s more hype than help.

What Is Beef Tallow for Skin Care?

Beef tallow is rendered fat from cows.

It’s solid at room temperature, has a distinct smell, and has traditionally been used for cooking or making soap. Recently, it's made its way into skincare routines thanks to viral social media claims that it's "ancestral," "natural," and better than plant oils.

Why Is Beef Tallow Trending in Skincare?

This trend has taken off on platforms like TikTok, Reddit, and YouTube, with influencers slathering beef fat on their faces and swearing by it. Some claim it’s cured their acne, others say it’s the best moisturizer they’ve ever used.

The catch? These reviews are paired with affiliate links, discount codes, and a heavy dose of hype.

Let’s be real: influencers are milking this one for all it's worth... (pun intended). Clicks sell.

The Supposed Benefits of Beef Tallow for Skin

Supporters of tallow-based skincare claim it helps with:

• • Deep moisturization
  • Skin barrier support
  • Anti-inflammatory effects
  • Reduced acne
  • Eczema relief

Beef Tallow for the Face: Does It Actually Work?

Some people report softer, more supple skin. A few say their lips or dry patches improved. But most have dealt with clogged pores, greasy texture, breakouts, and the lingering smell of cow fat.

Summary of real reviews:

• • Greasy and hard to wash off
  • Smells bad
  • Breakouts by day 7
  • Maybe okay for lips or body, not great for the face

Who Might It Actually Help?

If you have extremely dry, sensitive, or eczema-prone skin and you want a very minimal, occlusive balm, beef tallow might offer short-term relief. But there are far more elegant and beneficial options. Start here with our guide to the best face oils for dry skin. 

The Science: Fat Is Fat (Sort Of)

Fatty Acid Composition of Beef Tallow

Yes, beef tallow contains fatty acids. So does every oil or butter you’ve ever used. The idea that your skin will thrive just because something is fatty is overly simplistic.

Not All Lipids Are Created Equal

Plant-based oils include a blend of omega fatty acids, antioxidants, sterols, phytochemicals and vitamins. Beef tallow? Not so much. It lacks the diversity and skin-enhancing compounds of high-quality plant oils like jojoba, rosehip, or camellia.

Moisturization ≠ Skin Nutrition

Slathering on any fat will create a moisture barrier. But moisturizing isn’t the same as nourishing. Beef tallow doesn’t offer the antioxidant punch or anti-inflammatory compounds found in plant oils.

If you’re moisturizing with cow fat, you’re missing out on what plants have been doing better for centuries.

Mythbusting: Does Tallow Mimic Sebum? Is it Anti-Inflammatory?

Does Beef Tallow Resemble Human Sebum

No. The claim that “X oil mimics human sebum” is tossed around so casually in skincare marketing that it's become nearly meaningless. While it sounds scientific, the reality is far more nuanced — and often, misleading. Bottom Line: Oils don’t need to mimic sebum to be effective. But let’s stop pretending they all do.

Let's compare:

✅ Verdict: Jojoba is the only oil that truly mimics sebum in structure.

Other than being high in triglycerides, beef tallow is far from human sebum. It's also less nourishing than pretty much every other plant oil out there. This is our comprehensive guide to face oils if you want to learn more about where to start. 

Is Tallow Anti-Inflammatory

Beef tallow is not inherently anti-inflammatory — and in fact, its high oleic and saturated fat content is irritating or barrier-disruptive for many. Any soothing effect is likely due to occlusion and basic moisturization, not unique bioactive properties.

While triglycerides make up the most of beef tallow, the fatty acids include oleic, palmitic, and stearic. That makes it rich in both saturated fats and oleic acid, both of which can be pro-inflammatory or pore-clogging in many individuals — especially those prone to acne or barrier dysfunction.

💡 So Where Does the Anti-Inflammatory Hype Come From?

Mostly marketing spin based on the idea that some of its components have potential calming effects — but the overall fatty acid profile suggests otherwise for many skin types.

People assume “natural = soothing,” and tallow is labeled as ancestral or gentle, which muddies the science. Early adopters with very dry or eczema-prone skin (which can temporarily improve with any heavy occlusive) report relief — and this gets extrapolated as “anti-inflammatory” for everyone.

The Problems with Using Beef Tallow on Your Face

Greasy Texture and Smell

Beef tallow is heavy. It lingers. It feels thick and occlusive. And unless it's ultra-purified, it smells unmistakably like cow.

Comedogenic Risk and Acne

Tallow isn’t inherently comedogenic, but many people—especially those with acne-prone or combo skin—report clogged pores, pimples, and inflammation. There’s a reason most face products aren’t made with it.

Hygiene and Preservation Concerns

Tallow can go rancid quite easily due to the absence of natural antioxidants and potential contamination from the rendering process. It lacks preservatives unless added, and it may not remain stable in warm climates or humid bathrooms.

Tallow is on our list of the worst oils for your face for a reason!

Plant-Based Replacement for Human Sebum

Now here is a DIY recipe for a face oil that will actually mimic human sebum. This recipe deserves to be the one that goes viral:

• • Meadowfoam Oil (55%) - for the triglycerides
  • Jojoba Oil (30%) - for the wax esters
  • Plant-Based Squalane (15%) - for the squalane

Instructions:

1. Use a clean glass beaker, bottle, or small bowl.

2. Add each oil, stir to combine.

3. Transfer to a dark glass dropper bottle for storage. Shelf life will be at least a year, if kept away from light, heat, and moisture. 

The Gross Part (and the Animal Rights Conversation)

Unlike emu oil, cows are not killed just for their fat. However, they are still slaughtered and if animal rights are a concern to you, this is another reason to pass on using tallow for your skin.

The gross part is the rendering. Rendering is the process of liquifying, straining, and storing fat. If you're picturing a vat of bubbling meat goo, you're not far off.

💀 The Reality of Tallow Rendering

Rendering is essentially the process of melting down animal scraps to separate fat from the rest of the tissue. Here’s what that actually looks like:

• • Leftover animal parts — fat trimmings, connective tissue, meat scraps, sometimes even bone and skin — are collected after the butchering process. These are the bits that can’t be used as food.

  • Everything gets thrown into a cooking pot (literally called a rendering vat).

  • The mixture is cooked until the fat melts and separates from water, protein, and solids.

  • The fat (tallow) is skimmed off and filtered. The leftover sludge is sometimes used for pet food or animal feed.

Depending on the facility, deodorizers and filters might be used, but tallow from small-batch or "artisanal" sources may retain more of that... barnyard authenticity.

Aesthetic vs. Reality

So when someone says “I use beef tallow because it’s ancestral and pure,” just remember: the ancestral version was a byproduct of survival. The modern one is a cosmetic product born from a vat of discarded animal scraps — heated, filtered, repackaged, and marketed as a luxury balm.

Final Thoughts: Beef Tallow Is a Trend, Not a Necessity

Bottom line? There’s nothing magical about beef fat. It’s not skincare innovation — it’s repackaged nostalgia with a side of acne. If you want soft, healthy, breakout-free skin, there are better (and better-smelling) ways to get there.

Using beef tallow because it’s “natural” is like moisturizing with used fryer oil just because it came from potatoes. Somewhere, someone is probably rubbing WD-40 on their crow’s feet — doesn’t make it a serum.

The Verdict

Beef tallow isn’t evil. Aside from a breakout or two, it’s probably not going to destroy your face. But it’s greasy, comedogenic for many, smells bad, and offers no unique benefits that plant-based oils can’t deliver better.

By all means, if you already use and love it, you don’t need to switch. If it truly is your family’s secret, passed down for generations, be proud of that ancestral connection.

But if you’re just jumping on a TikTok bandwagon, remember: your skin deserves more than cow fat and a viral trend.

Trust the science. Trust your pores. Pass the plants.