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When you think of beef tallow, what comes to mind? You’re probably reminded of that one in your grandparents’ kitchen — the one they use for greasing pans and roasts. Nowadays, it’s widely used for the face, with many people claiming its hydrating properties. The hype lives on, and you may be wondering if it’s better than retinol. Discover the top beef tallow skin care products in the market and whether it’s a great alternative to retinol.
Beef tallow is a whitish substance that remains solid at room temperature. It’s the rendered fat around a cow’s organs, which is commonly used for deep frying and roasting. This product is also used for making candles, soaps and even skin care. Now, it’s revered to be a powerful skin care on its own.
Using beef tallow as a skin care product became popular when Nara Smith posted a TikTok video where she and her husband made a homemade moisturizer with beef tallow and essential oils. Nara has eczema and advocates for all-natural skin care products. Her creation went instantly viral. While many doubted it, some tried it and reported the results.
For instance, TikTok user @superglowingg claims that beef tallow helped her clear her acne within two weeks and made her skin bouncier. You’ll also find positive reviews when you scroll online, but as with anything, always take everything with a grain of salt.
A study showed that beef tallow can boost skin hydration by 47.2% within 180 minutes of moisturizer. This conclusion sounds very promising, especially if you have skin issues like dryness and itchiness. However, the same study also recognized that there are still gaps in how it can be used on human skin.
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Alexandra Bowles said beef tallow contains skin-loving nutrients, via NBC News.
“It contains fatty acids and vitamins, like A, D, E, and K,” she says. “As mentioned, it also contains vitamins A and E, which can potentially help with skin regeneration, reducing scarring, and soothing irritated skin.”
Dr. Bowles also recommended patch-testing on a small area first to see if irritation will occur and checking in with your dermatologist.
Retinol is a type of vitamin A known for reversing the signs of skin aging and acne. While beef tallow as a skin care product is helpful and contains vitamin A, there’s a lack of studies about its anti-aging and acne-fighting benefits. Retinol is a well-researched ingredient that has been proven to provide these advantages. Therefore, if you’re main goal is anti-acne and anti-aging, retinol is a better option. If you’re interested in trying out natural skin care ingredients, give beef tallow a try.
We’ve scoured the internet to find honest reviews of beef tallow users. People on Reddit’s subreddit SkincareAddiction provided the following reviews:
“I recently bought a container of pure beef tallow from my local butcher. I’ve been using it for only 2 days and have noticed a huge difference in my skin. It does not make me break out and I have acne-prone skin. It moisturizes while also keeping skin supple and non-oily. I LOVE BEEF TALLOW!” – Reddit user @eweni
“You should try a beef tallow with no other ingredients. Best decision I’ve made.” – Reddit user @water_drinker_2
“I’ll probably keep using the Tallow, just for my body/lips and not my face. Also I noticed most of the reviews and testimonies came from older individuals. Tallow most likely works really well for mature skin, and not for young skin. I’m only 19 years old, and it didn’t work for me as much as I wanted it to.” – Reddit user @Adventurous_Bar6495
Here’s a beef tallow skin before and after on acne-prone skin. One week later, the TikTok user’s friend’s acne and acne scars have faded.
If you’re ready to join this trend, here are the best beef tallow products for skin.
This product is one of the best beef tallow products for skin. It contains all-natural ingredients like organic beeswax and grass-fed tallow, and has zero fillers, so you’ll only need a few dabs to moisturize your face. Many people found this product effective, with a few noting it works better than high-end moisturizers. It has cold-pressed olive oil, which helps retain the aromatic and healing properties of olive oil.
Ancestral Haven’s beef tallow is noncomedogenic, nongreasy and has no meaty odor. All it takes is a pea-sized amount to apply throughout your face. The formula contains beef tallow, beeswax, jojoba oil, vitamin E, calendula and rose, which helps further the hydrating and moisturizing properties. Customers love how it’s non-greasy and very absorbent, which can double as a primer before applying makeup.
HolyCow Beef Tallow contains jojoba oil, a non-comedogenic oil with antifungal and antibacterial properties that help keep toxins at bay. It’s packed with vitamins A, D, E and K, helping combat dryness and keeping skin hydrated for hours. Unlike other products, this beef tallow moisturizer is unscented, with small notes of rose and lavender since the jojoba oil is infused with herbs.
Bissora’s tallow balm is gentle and non-comedogenic, making it ideal for acne-prone and sensitive skin. Its thick yet fast-absorbing texture leaves your skin feeling squeaky clean after application. You can use it to reduce the appearance of cracked skin and eczema. Many reviewers noted that it melts on the skin like butter and helps eliminate dry patches. Others applied it on the knees, elbows and hands, and experienced positive results.
This beef tallow skin care product is made with natural ingredients, including grass-fed beef tallow, beeswax and cold-pressed organic jojoba oil. It’s clinically proven to help strengthen a compromised skin barrier, which is essential for overall skin health. The formula is non-greasy and gentle enough for daily use.
There are many reasons to love beef tallow. It’s natural, laden with nutrients and hydrating. Consult with your dermatologist first before trying any of the listed products.
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