Using beef tallow for skin care isn’t something that’s completely new in the beauty industry. Beef tallow was once a key ingredient of homemade skincare remedies, and it’s starting to make a surprising comeback today. Advocates of using beef tallow claim that it provides deep hydration and essential vitamins, and that it can have a positive impact on supporting skin barrier function.
Keep reading to find out if beef tallow really lives up to the hype, and discover which products are in high demand in 2025.
Table of Contents
What is beef tallow?
Benefits of using beef tallow for skin care
Downsides to using skin tallow skin care products
Global market value of beef tallow
Trending beef tallow skin care products
Moisturising cream
Lip balm
Body butter
Final thoughts
What is beef tallow?
Beef tallow is a type of rendered fat that’s derived from the hard fat surrounding the loins and kidneys of cattle (suet). What originally starts out as a solid can be completely transformed into a creamy substance when it’s heated and purified. At room temperature, it takes on a similar texture to lard or butter.
Although beef tallow has been used for generations in soaps and cooking by moms on the farm, it’s gaining a lot of popularity within the beauty and skin care industry for use on human skin. Beef tallow contains a rich composition of fat-soluble vitamins and unique fatty acids, and these nutrients are believed to offer a range of benefits that help fight toxins.
For many people, this makes beef tallow the perfect alternative to synthetic moisturisers as it helps to promote healthy skin. The latest social media trends are a big factor in the rise of tallow in skin care beyond its traditional use in small farms.
Benefits of using beef tallow for skin care
Beef tallow is starting to be used more and more in skin care products thanks to its deeply moisturising and nutrient-rich fats. The fats closely resemble the natural oils of the skin, which makes beef tallow used in skin care very effective for hydrating the skin.
Beef tallow’s natural composition also absorbs well into the skin without clogging pores, so it’s an ideal alternative to commercial skincare products that contain synthetic chemicals. Vitamins that can be found in beef tallow include vitamins A, D, E, and K, which is a big draw for many customers.
Other benefits of using beef tallow include improving skin elasticity, supporting skin repair, and helping to build barrier protection while at the same time reducing inflammation.
Downsides to using skin tallow skin care products
Although there are many benefits to using beef tallow, there are some downsides that need to be considered, too. Beef tallow can feel very greasy and heavy compared to other products due to its rich texture. For people who suffer from acne or have oily skin, beef tallow can also potentially clog pores and have the opposite effect on skin clarity.
Beef tallow is natural, so it has an animal scent that can be off-putting, and it’s not suitable for vegans either. Consumers will also need to look at the quality of beef tallow used and the ingredient lists, as lower-grade tallow often contains impurities. The biggest problem when it comes to using beef tallow for skin care is that there’s not much scientific research to back up its long-term skin care benefits.
Global market value of beef tallow
The tallow market has also been steady, but in recent years sales have begun to increase steadily. In 2024, the global market value of beef tallow reached USD 14.2 billion. This number is expected to increase by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of at least 5.7% between 2025 and 2033. This will bring the total market value up to approximately USD 23.38 billion by the end of this period.
The transition to using beef tallow in beauty products in recent decades shows that animal fats are still very much in demand. Beef tallow can be used in a gentle cleanser, a thick cream, or even serums as it doesn’t have an unpleasant or grainy texture. The value of these skin care products increases when other natural ingredients such as organic Icelandic kelp or frankincense are added.
Trending beef tallow skin care products
Consumers can find beef tallow in a number of skin care products, especially those that have a strong focus on natural beauty. Most of these products highlight the nourishing and protective qualities that skin tallow has, and they’re often mixed with other natural ingredients too.
According to Google Ads, “skin tallow for skin” had an average monthly search volume of 40,500 in 2024. The most searches appeared in February when they reached 74,000, and the least searches appeared in the summer months (May-August) when they fell to 33,100 per month.
Keep reading to find out which beef tallow skin care products are the most in demand among consumers today.
Moisturising cream
Beef tallow moisturising cream provides deep hydration and nourishment, making it perfect for sensitive or dry skin. This moisturising cream is rich in vitamins such as A, D, E, and K, so it’s very good at repairing the skin barrier, soothing irritation, and improving overall elasticity. Many creams are combined with essential oils to make them more appealing for combination skin types.
Lip balm
Lip balms are designed to offer intense hydration and protection. Beef tallow lip balms are packed with a variety of essential vitamins that help to repair and nourish delicate lips. They’re also natural alternatives to petroleum-based lip balms so they’re more appealing to consumers with healthier lifestyles. It’s not uncommon for these lip balms to be mixed with essential oils or beeswax as well.
Body butter
Using beef tallow body butter is a surefire way to nourish and hydrate even the driest of skin. It’s rich in vitamins and natural fatty acids, so it’s a good choice for soothing conditions such as psoriasis or eczema. Body butter with tallow is very thick, so only a small amount is needed to see the benefits. It’s a great alternative to conventional body lotions and when combined with botanical extracts or natural oils, it becomes even more appealing to buyers.
Final thoughts
Beef tallow continues to grow in popularity as a natural skin care ingredient. It offers essential nutrients, supports the skin barrier, and deeply hydrates the skin. While it does have numerous benefits, it may not be suitable for everyone, especially consumers who live a plant-based lifestyle.
Depending on personal preference, beef tallow can be the perfect addition to a skin care routine. And let’s not forget that tallow can also be a great addition to soap bars thanks to its beneficial vitamins and lipids.
