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If you're here, you probably are aware of the whole beef tallow craze. Before making another impulse purchase it's important to know what is beef tallow and if it is a good fit for your skin profile. I’ve tested several tallow-based moisturizers over the last year to see which ones actually deliver and which are just hype.
Beef tallow is essentially rendered fat from cows, and it's been used in skin care for centuries. Historically, it was a go to for its incredible hydrating properties and high levels of vitamins A, D, E, and K, not to mention its rich fatty acids that help to replenish the skin's natural barriers. This could be music to your ears if you're dealing with dry, chapped, or irritated skin.
However, your skin type plays a huge role in how well beef tallow might work for you. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, its richness might be too much, and can lead to clogged pores or breakouts. On the other hand, if your skin is craving more moisture than your average moisturizer, beef tallow could be your life line.
Before you dive in, consider patch testing, especially if you have sensitive skin. And remember, not all beef tallows are made the same. All the items listed below are top-grade organic and 100% grass fed tallow to give your skin the highest quality ingredients. I go through all my favorite beef tallow brands that I love and use weekly. Let me know your thoughts in the comment section below!
My Top Rated Beef Tallow Picks
What Is Beef Tallow?
What Dermatologists Really Think About Beef Tallow
The Disadvantages Of Beef Tallow
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I purchased this not so long ago when I was dealing with a rash on my face. It was the only thing that would sooth my face from the crazy flare ups I would get from doing day-to-day activities. The one thing that I did notice though was that if I overused it, it would clog my pores. So, I would only use this three times a week.
It's nutrient-dense and bioavailable ingredients contain antibacterial and anti-inflammatory botanicals that melt into the skin to restore skin barrier function and hydration.
Ingredients include: Tallow from Grass-Fed Cows*, Olive Oil*, Emu Oil, Unrefined Beeswax, Essential Oils of Lavender and Tea Tree, Marshmallow Root*, Calendula Flower*, Rosemary Extract*, Non-GMO Vitamin E
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This beef tallow moisturizer is unscented and free from petroleum based ingredients, artificial colors, and fragrance. It is made from 100% grass-fed tallow, whipped for an extra smooth and lightweight texture. I personally love this one, because it's unscented which is great for my sensitive skin. Plus, the ingredients are super clean. I also think it is priced very fairly.
A lot of buyers are raving about how much they LOVE this product. Not only is it super moisturizing, but it heals wounds or irritated skin.
This can be used for your face and body! This mom-owned small business sources her beef tallow from small farmers in Virginia who practice regenerative agriculture. That means that they rotationally graze their cows all year long, only feeding them grass! Also it's currently a best-seller on Amazon with over 10k+ units sold just this past month.
There was one review that really stood out to me that I had to share. They said, "I'm not typically one to write reviews, but this product is absolutely incredible!!! I have very dry hands because I wash a lot of dishes by hand. I used this 1x and I saw significant improvement.
Ingredients include: Slow rendered, grass-fed Virginia tallow, Organic olive oil infused with calendula and rose.
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This beef tallow only has one ingredient, and it's Organic 100% grass fed beef tallow! This seller on Etsy whips her beef tallow, giving it a more lightweight feel to the skin. As someone who has tried a ton of beef tallow brands, I would say this is great if you want something lightweight that will absorb into the skin quickly.
A lot of customers who have eczema say this does wonders for their flare ups. One customer in particular said that after just one hour their eczema significantly approved after applying this on.
Reborn Organics is all about keeping skincare as pure as possible - no chemicals, no synthetic fillers, no parabens, just organic ingredients that actually nourish your skin. I love this brand because of their simple mission statement: "if you wouldn’t put it in your body, why put it on your skin?"
This beef tallow is whipped, meaning it is lightweight and won't give you that sticky after feel. A little goes a long way so you only really need a pea size amount. The only ingredient is 100% grass-fed beef tallow. I also love supporting U.S based businesses!
Safe for:
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Pros of this tallow from Etsy is that it's 100% grass fed which is why it has that yellow color to it. The con: it's going to smell like pure tallow since there aren't any fragrances added to it. BUT, this can also be used for cooking since it's fragrance free! A lot of customers have raved about it being great for cooking their veggies and meats. The nice thing about it is that it's versatile. You can put some in a smaller jar just for your moisturizer and leave the rest in the big jar for cooking. As someone who loved to get the best bang for their buck, this one is a winner for me lol.
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I personally love all things Primally Pure. My husband and I have been using their Charcoal Deodorant for the last 3 years and we will never go back to drugstore deodorant again. Not only do they have amazing clean products, but their customer service is truly a 10/10.
The difference between this cream vs. the Everything Balm listed above is that this one also has bakuchiol, a natural retinol alternative, which helps smooth fine lines and give more young-looking skin. Another great ingredient that is in this product is carrot seed oil: rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients like carotenoids, polyphenols and essential fatty acids. This helps reverse and prevent sun damage, reduce fine lines and give you a brighter complexion.
Ingredients: Tallow from Grass-Fed Cows*, Emu Oil, Jojoba Oil*, Essential Oils of Geranium*, Frankincense*, Rosemary*, and Carrot Seed*, Bakuchiol, Jasmine Absolute, Rosemary Extract*, Non-GMO Vitamin E
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Many wonder what is beef tallow? The name sounds scary but beef tallow is made by slowly heating beef fat (usually from suet, the fat around the kidneys) until it melts, then straining out any solids. Think of it as giving cow fat a spa day - melting away impurities leaving you with the purest form of the fat which does wonders for the skin.
Yes, beef tallow is great for skin due to its rich fatty acids, anti inflammatory properties, and nutrient-dense compounds. These ingredients help to give you moisture and build the skin's natural barrier, making it great for combating dryness and improving skin resilience. It also has vitamins A, D, E, and K which are all great for skin health and cell regeneration. Beef tallow is also great for men as a lot of people say it helps them with post-shave irritation. Sometimes going natural can solve all your problems!
Dermatologists are split! Some say beef tallow’s nutrient profile makes it great for repairing the skin barrier, while others caution it might clog pores in acne prone skin. It's really just a case by case scenario.
Yes, beef tallow can do wonders for eczema and roscacea. Beef tallow has rich and moisturizing properties that can be a great balm for dry and irritated skin which is what most people with eczema have. Beef tallow also has of a lot of fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins that can be great for repairing the skins barrier which can stop flare ups.
But, it's important to also be aware of the downsides of beef tallow. While I am sure you have only been seeing positive reviews about beef tallow for skin, it may not have the same effect on your unique skin type. Because beef tallow is very rich, it's always a good idea to patch test before putting it on your entire face, especially if you have reactive skin. If your skin responds well, using beef tallow can be a great addition to your skincare routine.
While beef tallow can have a lot of amazing benefits, it's important to be aware of the downside that some people have experienced. For instance, its rich texture might not be great for everyone. If you have oily or acne-prone skin it could be too heavy, and potentially lead to clogged pores and breakouts.
However, there are some tallow moisturizers that can be suitable for acne-prone skin, like Vintage Tradition’s Tallow Balm, which blend grass-fed tallow with non-comedogenic oils to nourish without clogging pores.
Also, where you source your tallow is crucial; non organic or non grass fed tallow might contain impurities that won't do well with sensitive skin types. Lastly, some people don't love the scent of pure unscented tallow. So, if you are someone who is sensitive to smells that is something to be aware of!
Check out my favorite non-toxic laundry detergent that is sensitive skin safe!
Kaylin Malek Khorsandi
Hi, I’m Kaylin. I’ve spent years researching, testing, and comparing products to find the ones that actually live up to their promise. What started as my personal habit of hunting for the best quality at a fair price has grown into a trusted space where thousands of readers come to make smarter shopping decisions. Every recommendation is based on real use, detailed research, and honest feedback, so you can feel confident that what you’re buying is genuinely worth it. My goal is to help you save time, money, and stress by sharing products that last and truly add value to your life.
Comments
I’ve tried most of these brands and my favorite is one made by Harvest & Herd. The texture is perfect and it smells SO good!!! ❤️ My husband and kids love it too!
For plain beef tallow, can you add an essential oil for fragrance?
