Beef tallow, a solid fat rendered from beef, has become a popular skincare trend on social media, with online claims that it helps acne, eczema, and psoriasis. Here is what the published research says so far.[1][2]
What beef tallow is
Tallow is a solid fat derived from animals.[2] A scoping review found that it is mainly made up of oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids.[1]
What the research shows
A 2024 scoping review searched PubMed and EMBASE for studies of tallow and skin. Of 147 studies screened, 19 met the criteria. They were comparative, basic-science, and animal studies, and the authors concluded there are significant research gaps in how tallow can be used on human skin and called for more research in humans. Reports on side effects of topical tallow were the least consistent part of the evidence.[1]
A 2025 study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology looked at the other side of the trend: what people say about tallow on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. Claims that tallow helps acne, atopic dermatitis (eczema), and psoriasis were common but mostly came without cited evidence. Most posts promoting beef tallow showed financial bias and came from people without healthcare credentials. The authors concluded that the evidence is insufficient to support these claims, and noted that most existing evidence comes from studies of tallow’s ingredients rather than tallow itself. The study has limits: it used narrow search terms and its own definition of financial bias.[2]
What rich fats do for dry skin in general
A review of moisturizers describes occlusives as substances that form a water-repelling layer over the skin and slow water loss. It lists a greasy feel, odor, and potential allergy as the main limits of most occlusives.[3] That is a general description of the ingredient class, not a finding about tallow.
The bottom line
The evidence for tallow on skin is thin. The claims about acne, eczema, and psoriasis are not backed by clinical research so far. If you are curious, treat it as a personal experiment and stop if your skin reacts. If you have acne, eczema, or psoriasis, check with a dermatologist before replacing a treatment you have been prescribed.
References
↑︎ Russell MF, Sandhu M, Vail M, Haran C, Batool U, Leo J. Tallow, rendered animal fat, and its biocompatibility with skin: a scoping review. Cureus. 2024;16(5):e60981. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.60981
↑︎ Almatroud L, Choi S, Libson K, Ashack K. Beef tallow-based skincare claims in social media: a cross-sectional analysis. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2025;24(12):e70544. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.70544
↑︎ Sethi A, Kaur T, Malhotra SK, Gambhir ML. Moisturizers: the slippery road. Indian J Dermatol. 2016;61(3):279-287. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5154.182427
Kurt Greiner
Kurt is a digital strategist and IT professional blending emerging technology with practical application to help businesses and individuals streamline their digital presence. His current work focuses on the intersection of intentional living and technological resilience, exploring how individuals can leverage modern tools to navigate the second half of life with purpose.
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