The Science of Beef Tallow in Skin Care
In the realm of skin care, ancient remedies sometimes surface as modern-day miracles. One such resurrection making waves is the use of beef tallow in skin care as a facial moisturizer. Touted for its “all-natural” appeal, beef tallow is gaining notoriety for its simplicity and perceived benefits. However, not all that glitters is gold, especially in the complex world of dermatology. In this blog, we’ll delve into the science and uses of beef tallow in skin care, exploring its components, benefits, and potential pitfalls, particularly for those with acne-prone skin.
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What is Beef Tallow?
Beef tallow is essentially rendered beef fat, obtained by heating the raw fat from cows until it melts, separating from solids and impurities. This process results in a pure fat that solidifies at room temperature. The fact that it solidifies at room temperature is an indication of its high concentration of saturated fatty acids. Historically used in cooking and candle-making, tallow has also found a niche in the skin care industry, praised for its moisturizing properties.
What is Beef Tallow Made Of?
The primary components of beef tallow are triglycerides—fats made from the combination of glycerol with three fatty acids. These include stearic acid, palmitic acid, and oleic acid, each playing a unique role in skin care. Stearic acid helps to repair damaged skin and improve flexibility, palmitic acid offers a barrier against environmental damage, and oleic acid, known for its moisturizing effects, can penetrate the skin deeply.
Benefits of Beef Tallow
The fatty acids in beef tallow align closely with sebum naturally present in our skin, which is why it’s considered an effective moisturizer. It replenishes the lipids lost during the cleansing process, reducing dryness and improving skin’s overall resilience. Additionally, tallow contains vitamins A, D, E, and K, which are beneficial for skin health, aiding in cell regeneration and elasticity.
Side Effects of Beef Tallow
Despite its moisturizing benefits, beef tallow scores high on the comedogenic scale, meaning it can clog pores significantly. This attribute makes it comparable to other heavy, fatty ingredients like coconut oil, or lanolin, which are also known for its comedogenic properties. For individuals with oily, or those prone to breakouts, beef tallow can worsen acne issues.
If you struggle with acne but need a moisturizer, check out these great products:
Beef Tallow and Acne
The root of the problem with using beef tallow on acne-prone skin lies in its occlusive nature. While occlusives seal in moisture, they also trap bacteria, dead skin cells, and sebum, creating a perfect breeding ground for acne. The development cycle of acne is around eight weeks, so initial improvements in skin moisture may mask the underlying clogging effects, leading to severe breakouts later. This delayed reaction often misleads users into thinking their skin tolerates or even benefits from tallow, only to face the consequences weeks later.
What to Use Instead of Beef Tallow
If you have acne prone skin, almost any ingredient is better than beef tallow. There are hundreds of moisturizers designed by scientists to actually aid skin health without risks of terrible acne breakouts. If you are dealing with acne as a result of beef tallow, you need non-comedogenic skin care products to undo the damage.
Inflammation
While beef tallow does contain beneficial lipids for the skin barrier, its impact on inflammation is double-edged. On one hand, the lipids present can support skin health, potentially repairing the skin barrier. On the other hand, the occlusive and comedogenic properties can severely clog pores, leading to inflammation and/or acne especially in sensitive or reactive skin types.
For Dry Skin
If you genuinely never get acne, beef tallow can act as an effective barrier, locking in moisture due to its occlusive properties. The rich fatty acid content mimics the skin’s natural oils, providing deep hydration and protection against environmental stressors. However, a barrier repair moisturizer that demonstrates a maltese cross pattern when viewed under a cross polarized microscope is a much healthier option than beef tallow!
Here are some better moisturizer options than beef tallow (If you took the quiz and know your Baumann Skin Type, look for your skin type octagon to know which moisturizers are best for you):
Why is beef tallow trendy?
The allure of beef tallow in today’s market stems from a growing consumer interest in natural, single-ingredient products. This trend echoes a broader movement towards minimalistic and ‘back-to-basics’ beauty routines. However, it’s crucial to underscore that natural does not always mean suitable or effective for all skin types. While individuals without acne concerns might benefit from beef tallow, those with acne prone skin should approach with caution.
Conclusion
As with any skin care product, the efficacy of beef tallow depends heavily on one’s skin type. While its moisturizing properties and natural composition might appeal to those with dry, resistant skin, the risks it poses to acne-prone individuals are significant. Understanding your Baumann Skin Type can provide crucial insights into whether beef tallow is a wise choice for you. Remember, trends might come and go, but healthy skin is always in style. For a personalized regimen recommendation, take the Baumann Skin Type Quiz for free today
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
