Credits: Social Media
Doctor cautions against beef tallow skincare as he offers better alternative
TikTok skincare enthusiasts have hailed beef tallow as the ultimate beauty secret, and while the animal fat Is packed with skin-enhancing qualities, other doctor-approved options won’t leave your face smelling like a butcher.
The skincare and beauty world might be based on science, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t weird and wonderful options out there. From the South Korean skincare that has taken the world by storm, to strange beauty ingredients like snail slime, the skincare world is anything but boring.
Beef tallow is being hailed as the fountain of youth
Unlike the dangerous sunburning trend, using beef tallow on your skin won’t leave you with painful scarring and inflamed patches. Tallow, usually beef or mutton, is most often used in cooking thanks to its high smoke point and flavorful body.
The trend began in the bowels of TikTok where skincare enthusiasts claimed it healed scarring, repaired their skin barriers, and encouraged the production of collagen.
Sharing a before and after picture, Liv (@superglowingg) attributed her glowing skin to her use of beef tallow. She only uses it as a moisturizer with minimal other products and found that her skin had cleared up in just two weeks.
Jaime Nicole (@jaimesskin), who earlier shared a glowy DIY facemask recipe, also celebrated the animal fat as part of her all-natural skincare routine.
To better understand the allure of beef tallow, and whether it’s actually worth investing in, The Focus caught up with Dr. Chaudhry M.B.B.S. of Scandinavian Biolabs.
“Beef tallow is generally safe for most people when used topically. It’s composed primarily of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, which are similar to the natural lipids in our skin,” he told us. “However, as with any new product, there’s always a risk of allergic reactions or skin irritation, especially for those with sensitive skin or a history of allergies.”
Doctor Chaudhry said that beef tallow is able to enhance your skin barrier, soften the appearance of fine lines, and pump your skin full of vitamins A, D, E, and K. Unfortunately, he also said that tallow is relatively high on the comedogenic scale, meaning it may clog pores and exacerbate acne-prone skin.
“Without proper preservation, tallow can go rancid, potentially leading to skin irritation or infection,” he added.
There are better options than animal fat, the doctor said
If you’re drawn to beef tallow but don’t want to smother your face in rendered animal fat, other products on the market could replicate the same effects.
First up was Shea butter, which Doctor Chaudhry said is rich in fatty acids and vitamins. You might also consider the antimicrobial properties of coconut oil, jojoba oil, rosehip oil, and even aloe vera.
“For those with specific skin concerns or conditions, it’s always best to consult with a dermatologist. We can provide personalized advice based on an individual’s skin type, concerns, and medical history,” the doctor added.
