Article: Tallow As Skincare: Is It For Everyone?
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Tallow As Skincare: Is It For Everyone?
Trending Now: Tallow as Skincare
There’s tons of buzz around using beef tallow (rendered beef fat) as a facial moisturizer. Many say it’s nutrient-packed, and even similar to our skin’s own oils. Sounds interesting, right? Before you go buy tallow to slather onto your face, let’s dive into this widespread skincare trend.
Ancestral Skincare Craze: Is Tallow for Everyone?
Tallow is trending in part because it’s “ancestral” skincare. We’re all for ancestral eating and tallow is a kitchen staple for us around here, however, we’re not so convinced its best for skincare (for everyone at least). It’s rich in vitamins and fats which can be beneficial for the skin, however, it’s not for everyone; this is a part of the trend that goes ignored. Tallow can be heavy and pore-clogging, which means if you have oily or acne-prone skin, it might lead to breakouts or irritation. Think of it like the coconut oil craze a while back: it seemed to “work” for some, but was widely problematic for many (if not most) who ended up with pimples and even cystic acne.
40% Chance of Clogging Pores?
Tallow is highly occlusive and scores a 2 on the comedogenic scale, meaning it has about a 40% chance of clogging pores. For acne-prone skin, this can cause issues. Some users report feeling greasy yet still dry underneath. While it can work for some, there’s always a new skincare trend claiming to be a miracle. But skincare is personal, and those miracle trends might not meet your skin’s unique needs.
Plant-Based, Low-Comedogenic Alternatives
We’re big fans of plant-derived ingredients that deliver equal, or even better, results than tallow. While tallow may work for some, the right plant-based staples are often a better fit for combination, sensitive, oily, or acne-prone skin. Take raw shea butter, a staple in our Sweet Dreams Glow Balm. It seals in moisture and creates a rich, nutrient barrier, yet has a comedogenic rating of 0, making it gentle enough for even the most breakout-prone skin. Rosehip seed oil, rich in vitamin A and essential fatty acids, is rated around 1 and can help fade dark spots without clogging pores. And calendula-infused oil, also around 1, offers calming, anti-inflammatory benefits that soothe irritation and support healing. These ingredients, and more low-to-non=comedogenic ingredients are staples in our herbal skincare.
What We’d Use Instead of Tallow:
At SBA, we skip tallow and other heavy, pore-clogging ingredients altogether. Instead, we craft our deeply hydrating balms and moisturizers with Nilotica butter, West African shea, rosehip, calendula, and other plant-powered superstars your skin will love. Our botanical and herb-based formulas are rich in skin-loving vitamins, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory benefits. While we offer options for different skin types and needs, every formula is made with low-to-zero comedogenic ingredients. Many of which are known to help calm redness, support acne-prone skin, and aid graceful aging. So instead of tallow, check out what we’d reach for instead. You might just find your skin’s new favorite.
With care,
Chelsea
CEO | Founder| Formulator
Skin Balm Apothecary