Winter in Queensland is hard to beat.
But even though it’s mostly clear blue skies with only a slight drop in temp, there can still be a bit of a bite to the air – especially when we get the Ekka winds.
Weather like this can zap moisture from our skin leaving us reaching for moisturisers with a little extra hydration in the winter months.
Enter: beef tallow skincare.
A TikTok trend touting processed cow fat as the one and only skincare product you need for dry skin (and apparently all other skin concerns).
Beef tallow is rendered fat from cattle, specifically the fat surrounding their organs.
It’s a solid, creamy fat with a high smoke point, making it versatile for cooking, skincare, and traditional household uses.
It’s perfect for roast potatoes, but it might be a stretch to claim it’s perfect for your skin.
With hundreds of thousands of posts sporting the #beeftallow tag, we thought it was time to get a qualified and experienced dermatologist to weigh in.
Now enter: Associate Professor David Francis - Clinical Lead of Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Dermatology Department.
David is an experienced Dermatologist who told us there’s always one product or another going viral for being a “miracle” solution to skincare woes.
“I’m going to sound boring here but if something seems to be good to be true, it probably is,” David said.
“There’s no such thing as a one size fits all product. Everyone’s skin is different and needs different products to achieve different goals.
“What works for an influencer might be totally wrong for you. And we have no idea what else they’re using off camera or what procedures they’ve had to get clear skin.”
We quizzed David on why we shouldn’t be running to buy beef tallow (or even trying to cook it ourselves at home!).
Let’s start with one of the most popular ‘pros’...
“It’s natural”
Yes, beef tallow may be high in vitamins, but it is unclear how much they penetrate and benefit the skin.
A lot of skin products have vitamins in them (vitamin C, vitamin A in creams) that do have beneficial effects – but they need to be put into the right product (vehicle) to ensure it penetrates the skin.
“Just because it’s natural doesn’t mean it’s good for your skin,” David said.
“You wouldn’t rub grass all over your face but that’s also natural. Being a natural product is not in any way a prerequisite for safe and effective skincare.”
Point made.
There’s a real risk in assuming natural equals safe. While tallow is high in certain vitamins, it’s unclear how much of that goodness actually penetrates the skin.
“Manufactured skincare products may have preservatives in them, this keeps the product safe to use and to prevents it from growing bacteria,” David said.
“If the beef tallow you want to buy truly is all-natural, it’s likely it doesn’t have protective agents in it to prevent the product from going rancid.
“It’s certainly possible bacteria will form quickly in beef tallow, and then you’re basically putting infection straight onto your face.”
“I’m concerned young people are buying this off the internet without any clue where it came from or how to store it.
“And for those making beef tallow at home, that’s unlikely to be a chemically safe and clean environment.
“Why put all that effort and energy into boiling down animal fat when there are products out there that have been tested for safety and we know work.
“It all comes down to efficacy, quality control, and safety – making skincare in your kitchen, or buying it from someone else’s kitchen, meets none of these things.
“It’s good for dry skin”
If you’re someone with dry skin, you may need a product that is more occlusive – these are moisturising agents that help create a skin barrier to prevent water loss.
But heavier moisturisers can come with a risk of inflammation of the skin (folliculitis) or can lead to greasy skin and acne build up.
David warns that while beef tallow would be highly occlusive, its cons in this sense outweigh the pros.
“For some people with very dry skin, it might help, but for others putting animal fat on acne could actually make it worse.
“So yes, it would trap in moisture for your skin, but it can also trap bacteria and clog your pores. If your skin is acne-prone, this is not the product for you.”
Plus…
“It can have an unpleasant smell,” David said.
“And if you’re making it at home, there’s almost zero quality control. Who knows what bacteria could be growing in there? You're essentially rubbing infection on your face.”
"It's fixed my acne"
“I don’t see how it could,” David said.
“A product like this can lead to blocked pores which can potentially make acne worse.”
“Using it could even lead to an infection. If bacteria is in the product and you’ve bad acne or open wounds, it’s very likely the skin could become infected.”
If you struggle with dry AND acne-prone skin, you’re better off looking into products that are mildly hydrating (for example a moisturising lotion rather than a thick cream) and are low in irritants such as strong exfoliants.
“All creams need to be individually chosen for the right person. I wouldn’t recommend anyone buys a viral TikTok product, beef tallow or otherwise.”
"I only use beef tallow and my skin has never been better"
David has two things to say about this:
- Everyone’s skin is different.
- Be cautious of the trends you see online – you don’t know what else they use or have had done to get their skin looking good.
Claims that beef tallow is the only product needed to clear acne-prone skin and blemishes is misleading.
“I’m concerned that young people may go online to buy a product that they have no idea where it came from or how it was made, how to store it properly, and the risk of bacteria growing in the product,” David said.
“There are products out there tailored to meet different skin needs that have been through scientific trials to prove efficacy and safety.
“There’s always a trendy or over-hyped product, and this time it’s beef tallow.
“Don’t fall for what you see online, and seek out a dermatologist if you want advice to treat particular skin concerns.”