The Truth About Tallow: What Science Really Says About Animal Fat in Skincare

Since 2012, long before tallow trended on TikTok, Nefertem Tallow Skincare has been crafting deeply nourishing moisturizers using grass-fed, grass-finished tallow. Back then, most folks raised an eyebrow at putting "beef fat" on your face. Today? Science is catching up, and the buzz is growing.

But is tallow really good for your skin, or just another natural trend with a short shelf life?

Let’s break down what scientific research actually says without the jargon. In this blog, we’ll explore the facts, benefits, and even the risks of using tallow on your skin.

What Is Tallow, Anyway?

Tallow is simply rendered animal fat, most often from beef or sheep. When it’s cleaned and purified properly, tallow becomes a rich, creamy fat filled with skin-loving nutrients like:

• Vitamins A, D, E, K, and B12
• Fatty acids such as oleic, stearic, palmitic, and linoleic acid

It has a long history of use from cooking and soapmaking to early medicinal ointments and locomotive lubrication. But in skincare, it’s making a modern comeback thanks to its biocompatibility with human skin.

Why Tallow Works: It’s Surprisingly Similar to Human Skin

Your skin’s outer layer (the stratum corneum) is made up of fats like ceramides, cholesterol, and free fatty acids. These create a strong “brick-and-mortar” barrier that keeps moisture in and bacteria out.

Tallow has a nearly identical structure. It mimics the fatty acid profile of human skin, especially in its high levels of oleic and palmitic acid. This makes it easier for your skin to absorb and use, compared to many plant-based oils that sit on top of the skin without penetrating.

According to scientific studies, fats that resemble our natural skin oils help repair the skin barrier, especially for people with eczema or dermatitis. (Feingold KR 2007)(Coderch L 2003)

Key Benefits of Using Tallow on Skin

1. Intense Moisture and Hydration

Studies comparing tallow-based creams to plant oils found that tallow emulsions:

• Hydrate the skin faster and longer
• Improve moisture retention up to 47% within 3 hours of application
• Leave less greasy residue when properly formulated (Abd Rahman et al., 2011)

One study even concluded that tallow alone outperformed blends with thickening agents like xanthan gum and orange fiber. (Kowalska et al., 2022)

2. Supports Skin Barrier Repair

Because tallow contains the same types of fats naturally found in the skin, it can support skin that's:

• Dry or flaky
• Sensitive or easily irritated
• Recovering from rashes or over-exfoliation

This is especially valuable in people with conditions like eczema, where the skin barrier is compromised and needs lipid-based help to heal. (Fujii M 2021)

3. May Soothe Inflammatory Skin Conditions

In both animal and human studies, tallow has shown promise in reducing redness, itchiness, and inflammation.

One notable study used a beef tallow mixture to treat atopic dermatitis in mice. It lowered their inflammation levels, improved skin hydration, and reduced allergic markers like. (Lee et al., 2020)

While more human testing is needed, these early results are promising.

4. Non-Toxic and Rich in Vitamins

Tallow naturally contains:

• Vitamin A (for cell regeneration)
• Vitamin D (anti-inflammatory)
• Vitamin E (antioxidant protection)
• Vitamin K (supports elasticity)
• Vitamin B12 (helps with skin healing)

These are all naturally found in tallow with no lab-made additions required.

Are There Any Risks?

Science always asks both: “Does it work?” and “Is it safe?”

Here’s what the research says:

Minimal Risk for Most Users

Pure, cosmetic-grade tallow has not shown major side effects in topical use.

When applied to healthy skin or mild irritations, most studies show tallow is well-tolerated. (Becker et al., 2013)

Some studies raised concerns with ethoxylated tallow amines, found in herbicides, not skincare. These are different chemical compounds and not used in clean beauty formulations. (Martens et al., 2019)

Possible Photo-Sensitivity

One lab test classified tallow as a potential skin sensitizer, meaning it could cause irritation in rare cases when exposed to UV light. (Lindberg et al., 2020) However, this was not confirmed in human trials, and it may depend on formulation quality.

Not Reef Safe

Two studies concluded that tallow-based compounds (used in herbicides) negatively impacted aquatic life. If you’re swimming in reef environments, it’s best to avoid wearing any heavy skincare products that aren't reef-tested. (Haller & Stocker, 2003)

Why “Natural” Doesn’t Always Mean Better...Unless It’s Tallow

The clean beauty movement has helped us question what we put on our skin. But just because something is “natural” doesn’t mean it’s good for you. Poison ivy is natural, but you wouldn’t rub that on your face.

Tallow stands out because it's:

• Biocompatible
• Stable without preservatives
• Absorbs deeply into the skin
• Backed by tradition and science

It's a natural option that actually works with your body, not just on it.

Why Tallow Works Better Than Many Plant Oils

Unlike some trendy oils that clog pores or sit on top of the skin, tallow sinks in and supports your skin where it needs it most.

What Research Still Needs to Catch Up On

While the science is encouraging, researchers agree: more human studies are needed. Most of the studies so far have used animal models or focused on the chemical makeup of tallow.

What we need next:

• Randomized clinical trials in humans
• Studies on different skin types (oily, dry, acne-prone)
• Long-term safety data

Until then, anecdotal evidence from brands like Nefertem, with over a decade of real-world use, helps fill in those gaps.

Tallow Is Trending, But Nefertem Did It First

Nefertem Tallow Skincare has been using grass-fed, grass-finished tallow from Midwest family farms long before social media caught on. Our moisturizers are:

• Handcrafted in small batches
• Infused with organic plant oils and herbs
• Free from synthetic fillers or preservatives

Looking for a skincare solution that blends science, purity, and tradition?

Whether you’re trying tallow for dry skin, eczema, or simply want a cleaner option that actually works, Nefertem’s tallow moisturizers are backed by time, tradition, and science.

Ready to See What Tallow Can Do for Your Skin?

Don’t wait for the next viral skincare fad. Go with what works.

Explore Nefertem’s artisan-crafted Tallow Moisturizers, Salves & Soaps, made with clean ingredients and pure intentions since 2012.

👉 Shop Tallow Skincare Now and experience the real-deal difference.

References

Feingold KR. Thematic review series: skin lipids. J Lipid Res. 2007.

Coderch L et al. Ceramides and skin function. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2003.

Lee YS et al. NCM 1921 and atopic dermatitis. Nutrients. 2020.

Kowalska M et al. Cosmetic tallow emulsions. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2015.

Kowalska M et al. Tallow vs. pumpkin seed oil. Biomolecules. 2020.

Abd Rahman NF et al. Engkabang fat esters and hydration. Bioresour Technol. 2011.

Martens MA et al. Polyethoxylated tallow surfactants. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2019.

Becker LC et al. Cosmetic safety of tallow-derived compounds. Int J Toxicol. 2013.

Haller WT, Stocker RK. Tallow herbicide toxicity to fish. Environ Toxicol Chem. 2003.

Lindberg T et al. Skin sensitization from glyphosate-tallow mixes. J Proteomics. 2020.