I hope you're sitting down for this one.
You truly never know what to expect from the internet. And today we have another example to prove it.
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Basically, there's a new skincare trend that's been taking over TikTok recently. Wellness influencers on the app now swear to use this one product as a moisturizer, claiming that it's amazing in reducing acne.
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What's the product? Beef tallow. AKA animal fat.
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Yes, you read that right: thousands of wellness influencers and their followers are trekking to literal butcher shops to get beef tallow, then putting it directly on their faces. What's their reasoning? Sit down, I'll tell ya.
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"[Beef tallow is] similar in structure to the oils that we naturally produce," one influencer explains in a video. "So it's able to give us those benefits like hydration, reversing skin damage, helping acne — without clogging our pores, because it's bio-identical to our skin."
"Beef tallow is a completely natural product, and it doesn't have a bunch of chemicals that we see in a lot of our skincare today," a second influencer adds. "It's literally so clean that you can eat it. [...] There's a reason that people have been using this for thousands of years."
Another TikTok with almost a million views showcases the user's skin before and after using beef tallow as moisturizer. She notes that beef tallow is "literally the only product" she's been using, and suggests that it totally got rid of her acne. As she puts it, "My skin is flawless and so glowy now." And yes, her skin is definitely gorgeous.
"Beef tallow is blowing up right now, and dermatologists don't want you to know about it," she claims.
Sounds legit, doesn't it? Well, perhaps with those explanations it's no longer surprising that the trend has taken over TikTok. Everyone is replacing their moisturizers with beef tallow, and the trend has gained millions of views. Like, I'm now even tempted to give it a try.
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BUT!!! Before you run to your local butcher and ask for some beef fat to lather on your face, let's ask a dermatologist, shall we? Because contrary to popular belief, they're the skincare experts. Not the people you see on your FYP.
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Unless you're seeing certified dermatologists all over your FYP, that is.
Well, we got the low-down from Dr. Anil Sharma, dermatologist and medical practitioner. "While TikTok creators may be recommending tallow as a 'natural' remedy, it’s important to understand that it could cause more harm than good," he explains.
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"While many creators encourage avoiding ‘chemical-filled’ skincare, it’s crucial to thoroughly research these ‘natural’ trends before trying them. Always consider your skin type, as with most ‘natural’ remedies, one size does not fit all."
"For one, it’s highly comedogenic, meaning it can clog your pores and worsen acne," he said. "It's also yet to be approved by the FDA as a skincare product. And some studies have found that using highly concentrated tallow can increase photosensitivity, which can leave your skin more sensitive to sunlight."
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"It can also disrupt your skin barrier," he said. "When this happens, moisture escapes from your skin more easily, which can lead to dryness and irritation and an increased likelihood of other substances penetrating deeper into your skin, some of which could cause further irritation."
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"Many tallow-based products, like soaps, also have a much higher pH than healthy skin, which typically ranges from 5.4 to 5.9," he explained. "Soaps with a pH of 9 to 10 could throw off your skin’s natural balance, potentially causing dryness and irritation."
He agreed that beef tallow can indeed "mimic natural oils" — but ultimately doesn't recommend people use it on their faces. So there ya go, kids! Don't believe everything you read on the internet.
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If you're still super eager to try beef tallow, he did say it's okay to apply "a penny-sized portion" to "both elbows and knees after your evening shower." However, it's "extremely oily and isn’t good for everyday use."
But really? I'd skip it entirely, because there are much better alternatives. Dr.Sharma's recommendations for natural skincare products includeoatmeal masks,tea tree oil for acne-prone skin, andpumpkin seed oil as a regular moisturizer (used sparingly).
