Is beef tallow good for your skin? Skincare experts weigh in on kitchen ingredients being used on face & hair

The flawless face of a youthful twenty-something pops up on the screen, revealing that she has found the Holy Grail of skincare ingredients.

Her declaration is nothing new. Influencers spruiking the latest product on social media has become as normal a career path for young people as nursing or cutting hair.

But this content creator teases — or breadcrumbs — that it’s something dermatologists don’t want you to know about.

Intriguing. We’re listening.

And, she continues, her skin is so flawless and glowy that, while she doesn’t want to toot her own horn, she gets compliments on her skin. Every. Single. Day.

Her secret? Beef tallow.

Yes, beef fat rendered to remove its impurities, resulting in a creamy-like consistency.

Slathering the face with lard in lieu of moisturiser is the latest viral skincare trend.

Ushered into the zeitgeist by one of TikTok’s most popular — and controversial — creators Nara Smith when she concocted her own moisturiser featuring the ingredient, it’s since hit the mainstream.

Prices for a small tub start at $33, with the face-focused versions typically labelled “grass fed” and containing additional oils such as olive, jojoba or cacao butter — to presumably save you from going to bed smelling like a burger.

Despite it being commonly used for frying or roasting in the kitchen, beef tallow is also used in candles, soaps and as an ingredient in skincare. Rich in vitamins A, D, E, K and B12, it claims to protect the skin barrier, which can benefit sensitive skin.

Mukti, the cosmetic formulator and founder behind skincare brand Mukti Organics, has reservations about the ingredient due to the lack of scientific evidence to support its purported benefits.

“I also get concerned with the risk of bacterial contamination in animal-derived products, especially if not properly processed,” she said.

“I would be concerned about its comedogenic impact as well, which can clog pores and lead to skin issues like breakouts and acne.”

Sodashi founder Megan Larsen agrees, recommending jojoba oil as a plant-based alternative.

And it’s not just beef tallow that people are pulling from their cupboard or fridge to use on their face. Social media is full of people forgoing products from their bathroom cabinets for kitchen ingredients, from olive oil to avocado.

The movement hasn’t gone unnoticed by Alex Wilson, owner of natural beauty retailer Heartwood. As the only West Australian stockist for cult-favourite tallow brand Tuttofare, they can’t keep up with the demand driven by TikTok.

Tuttofare is a professionally formulated Australian-founded tallow skincare brand, its signature Tallow Balm — which also features occlusives, emollients and humectants in its formula — is made in a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certified skincare facility by chemists in Australia.

Ms Wilson said they’ve also had requests for pure sandalwood powder and hydrosol — a water-based product made from the distillation of fresh flowers and herbs — to use with ingredients such as turmeric, milk and honey to make masks and face mists.

As the kitchen skincare movement grows in popularity, Naomi Henderson, owner of Fleur Skin and Wellness, has seen another trend grow alongside it.

“We have definitely seen a rise in people incorporating these DIY home care products but we’ve also seen a rise in people coming in with dry, impaired barriers and compromised skin from following along with trends,” she said.

“I believe the main reason for this is TikTok and social media influencing people’s decisions as well as the cost-of-living crisis, meaning people are reaching for cheaper options to help their skin.

“While we support using natural products, they can be detrimental to the skin if not used properly.”

What the experts think about popular kitchen skincare ingredients

Rosemary water or oil in the hair

Megan Larsen: While rosemary water can strengthen hair and add shine, it’s important to dilute essential oils properly to prevent irritation. A safe dilution is one drop of rosemary essential oil to 20mL of water, shake well before use. Alternatively, fresh rosemary can be steeped in boiling water for a few hours, then cooled for a gentle rinse.

Naomi Henderson: Applying straight essential oils to the scalp or skin can cause irritation or burning. That is my concern with people not being fully educated around it.

Mukti: Rosemary water has been shown to increase blood flow to the scalp and activate hair follicles, encouraging healthier and faster hair growth, and the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of rosemary water can help maintain a healthy scalp environment.

Olive oil

ML: While olive oil contains antioxidants, I prefer not to formulate with it as it can be difficult to wash off, potentially trapping dirt and bacteria.

NH: Make sure it is true extra virgin olive oil, and single origin — organic is the best. It is a great antioxidant, but it can be comedogenic and disrupt the skin’s barrier so it wouldn’t be my go-to for DIY home care.

M: There are many pros to incorporating olive oil into a skincare regime. Squalene derived from olive oil is a powerful antioxidant that mimics the skins natural oils. . . The only caveat would be perhaps someone who uses olive oil direct from the kitchen cupboard — this is usually a heavier and less refined form and for some skin types such as oily or acne-ic could be comedogenic and clog their pores.

Cucumber

ML: Many of us have used cucumber slices to refresh tired eyes — it’s naturally cooling and soothing, though the effects are often temporary.

NH: This is completely safe unless you’re allergic. There are no major benefits but as with icing the face, it can have cooling and anti-inflammatory benefits to it.

M: I’m definitely in favour of this natural remedy, especially since cucumber can have some soothing and hydrating properties.

Coconut oil

ML: While coconut oil has antibacterial properties and can benefit dry, irritated skin, it is highly comedogenic, meaning it can clog pores and cause breakouts, especially for acne-prone skin. It’s much better suited for body care than facial skincare.

NH: I prefer coconut oil for the body and hair because, being a thicker molecule, it can be comedogenic.

M: For those with oily skin it is considered quite high on the comedogenic scale but overall, there are an array of benefits to using coconut oil on the face, but I would only recommend using it as part of a carefully formulated skincare product (rather than using pure coconut oil).

Avocado

NH: Always patch test with avocado to rule out any allergies. But overall it’s quite safe and it may have some benefits on the surface of the skin, however the properties won’t make any deeper cellular change to the skin.

M: Yes, yes and yes! Avocado is such an excellent home remedy for a face mask as it is rich in nutrients as well as fatty acids. The oil from an avocado assists with transporting active substances into the skin. It acts as a soothing bactericide and may increase collagen in connective tissues.