Today, I want to let you in on a new ingredient taking over the skincare world: beef tallow. Yes, you heard me right! Beef. Tallow (i.e. Fat). I know it might sound a bit odd at first, but bear with me—this stuff is pure magic for your skin. Let me tell you why I’m so hooked.
The Backstory: How I Discovered Beef Tallow
It all started last year when I adopted an “animal based” diet. I kept coming across beef tallow being used as a natural skincare option in the community of people that were living similar lifestyles to my family and I. Since I’m always on the hunt for the best thing that can keep my skin glowing and healthy without relying on synthetic products, I decided to give it a try. Now, it’s turned into me using beef tallow in every product I can think of!
What Exactly is Beef Tallow?
For those who might not know, beef tallow is a form of rendered fat from cows. Historically, it was used for cooking, soap making, and even as a base for candles. However, its skincare benefits have recently come back into the spotlight, and for good reason. I also prioritize that the beef tallow comes from regenerative farms only – same for all the meat we consume. This is of utmost importance to me!
The Science Behind the Glow
So, what makes beef tallow so special for the skin? It all boils down to its composition. Beef tallow is rich in vitamins A, D, E, and K, which are essential for skin health. These vitamins help with cell regeneration, protect against free radicals, and maintain skin elasticity. Additionally, beef tallow has a fatty acid profile that’s remarkably similar to the human skin’s natural sebum. This means it absorbs beautifully and helps balance and nourish the skin without clogging pores. All that amazingness aside, of course we all respond individually to skin care products so your experience may be different.
My Personal Experience
Since incorporating beef tallow into my skincare routine, I’ve noticed a significant improvement in my skin’s texture and hydration levels. My complexion looks more even, and those pesky dry patches have become a thing of the past. Here are a few ways I like to use beef tallow:
Moisturizer: After cleansing my face, I take a small amount of beef tallow cream and gently massage it into my skin. It melts right in, leaving my skin soft and supple without any greasy residue.
Lip Balm: Beef tallow makes an excellent lip balm. I dab a tiny bit onto my lips, and they’re instantly hydrated and protected from the elements.
Body Soap: Gone are the days of buying body wash in plastic containers – back to a good ‘ol bar of soap for me. Beef tallow-based soap consists of a ridiculously small amount of ingredients yet produce the most luxurious lather. The soap focuses on moisturizing rather than stripping the skin like many traditional soaps are known to do.
- Deodorant: It’s been well over a decade since I’ve used antiperspirant or any type of deodorant containing aluminum, so this was an easy transition for me. Seriously, if you haven’t ditched the toxic product of mainstream deodorant/antiperspirant yet, add it to the priority list!
- Shampoo/Conditioner: Same as the body soap, container-free shampoo and conditioner is a win-win. With a very small ingredient list, beef tallow hair care products provide moisture and nourishment to our hair without the constant onslaught of more chemicals that we can’t even pronounce. Your hair will likely need to adjust to this type of product, so give it time if you are interested in giving it a try.
Brands I've Tried and Trust
I’ve tried about a dozen different beef tallow skincare products at this point and have no complaints with any of them. Some companies focus primarily on beef tallow and very few other ingredients while some incorporate other natural products to produce more skin-specific outcomes. Here are links to my favorite companies:
- Primally Pure: This is one of those brands that has a wide variety of products to suit your specific skin needs. I love their lip balms, Soothing Cream for nighttime application, deodorant, cleansing oil and serums.
- GRYS: This has been a best seller at the clinic. Only 4 ingredients (beef tallow, aloe vera, sandalwood essential oil, and clary sage essential oil. This cream is amazing for any type of irritated skin (think eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis) but also great for everyday use. This is the only skin moisturizer used in my house.
- Stone & Spear: This is another great company with a wide variety of products. I buy most of my tallow products from this company as well as retailing them at my office. However, I only sell their body soaps, deodorant and lip balm and they have many more amazing products to check out online. Personally, I use their exfoliating bar face soap, anti-aging mask and my husband uses their shaving soap and balm.
Why You Should Give It a Try
If you’re someone who loves natural and effective skincare solutions, beef tallow might just be your new best friend. It’s affordable, easy to find, and a little goes a long way. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to utilize every part of the animal if you’re already consuming beef, aligning with sustainable and zero-waste practices.
A Few Tips to Get You Started
- Sourcing: Look for high-quality, grass-fed beef tallow from regenerative farms to ensure you’re getting the best nutrients without any unwanted additives.
- Patch Test: As with any new skincare product, do a patch test first to ensure you don’t have any adverse reactions.
- DIY Fun: If you’re into DIY skincare, try making your own beef tallow balm or lotion at home. It’s a fun project and allows you to customize it to your liking.
In conclusion, beef tallow has become a staple in my skincare routine, and I’m absolutely loving the results. My new motto is “if I can’t eat it, it’s not going on my skin.” While that’s a bit of an exaggeration, you get the point. Gone are the days (for me) of prioritizing expensive, synthetic-based products just for the hope that it will shave a few years off of my face. That’s not a net positive strategy for me.
Beef tallow is natural, nourishing, and versatile—what’s not to love? So, if you’re looking to switch up your skincare game, give beef tallow a shot. Your outside and inside will thank you!
For more info, reach out to us at our Eden Prairie location.