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The Healf Source
Explaining The Comeback Of Tallow In Skincare
Written by: Pippa Thackeray
Written on: October 22, 2024
Tallow in skin care appears to be really ‘happening’ now, but it isn’t a new concept, far from it. Tallow was used in ancient times, such as the Bronze Age, back when nature and natural ingredients were fully embraced for all their health and beauty potential. So, why are people turning to tallow now? In the age of modern sophisticated skincare laboratories — what is the secret to this rather unprecedented trend that your grandmother would approve of?
What is tallow?
Does Tallow smell weird?
After reading about the numerous health benefits, some may still have their concerns. Because it is an animal product, people might worry that you will end up smelling like a piece of steak.
Not true. Tallow, due the thorough purification process used to produce it, is usually neutral in odour and not noticeable. Many manufacturers use other natural ingredients like essential oils to make the product even more pleasurable to use, yet some prefer the pure and simple product because it is so kind and gentle to the skin.
Can you eat tallow?
In its pure form, yes — but in moderation. Because of its high tolerance to heat, it is considered a stable fat to cook with. In terms of gut health, it can also be useful when consumed. One factor thought to boost digestive health is the butyric acid content, which supports the integrity of the gut lining, reduces inflammation, and promotes a healthy microbiome. Remember, it is still a fat, so it should be balanced with other macronutrients in the diet.
Tallow: Cautions for use
While a lot of people are raving about Tallow being this magical ‘cure all’ for skin, it is worth being cautious about the products you are using. This is because tallow, like all fats, can be subject to becoming rancid. Products which are produced, packaged or stored in unstable environments may therefore lose their freshness and skin-health promoting qualities.
Many people choose to make their own tallow, there are TikTok and Instagram tutorials on how to do this, usually involving a slow cooker and a refrigerator. Fans of these videos might suggest that by making your own, you can be fully in control, ensuring only the best quality raw ingredients enter your product. That said, it is an intensely time consuming process, with multiple steps, and you also have to know where to look to get the best animal products that avoid contamination. It seems like a lot of responsibility.
Finding a good tallow for skincare
Buy from reputable brands. Brands such as Fierce Nature and Hunter&Gather are in line with the Healf ethos of selecting only the best brands, the tallow products they provide ensure only the highest level of purity and manufacturing standards so you don't need to worry about damaged fats here.
Founder of Fierce Nature, Catherine Farrant was fuelled by the belief that it is time for change in a modern environment of harsh chemicals and false advertising claims in the beauty world. By going back to basics and back to nature, Fierce Nature tallow products use ancient skincare wisdom for a whole range of products; soaps, balms and even beautifully pigmented makeup.
Likewise, Hunter&Gather make a wonderfully pure tallow product that can be used in food preparation as well as skincare. Afterall, as the old saying goes, “You should only put on your skin what is good enough to eat” because the skin is a powerful absorber of everything we apply to it. So being concerned about the harsh chemicals in many skincare products we believe is a legitimate concern and one where alternative options are always welcome.
I've become obsessed with using Tallow Skincare! I use it every night as a moisturiser and always rub the excess on my hands, especially in winter! I'm often asked which highligher I use on my skin - that's the Tallow Shimmer Stick from Fierce Nature too!
Eleanor Hoath - Healf Editor
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Why tallow for skincare?
Tallow is a rich and nourishing ingredient for skincare, valued for its close similarity to the natural oils (sebum) produced by human skin. Packed with vitamins A, D, E, and K, tallow helps to moisturise, repair, and protect the skin, making it particularly beneficial for dry or damaged skin.
Its fatty acid profile, which includes stearic acid and oleic acid, promotes skin elasticity, barrier repair, and hydration, all while being easily absorbed without clogging pores. Unlike synthetic ingredients, tallow is all-natural, non-toxic, and deeply rejuvenating, making it an excellent choice for anyone seeking a gentle, nutrient-rich approach to skincare.
This article is for informational purposes only, even if and regardless of whether it features the advice of physicians and medical practitioners. This article is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice. The views expressed in this article are the views of the expert and do not necessarily represent the views of Healf
Pippa is a content writer and qualified Nutritional Therapist (DipNT) creating research-based content with a passion for many areas of wellbeing, including hormonal health, mental health and digestive health.
As a contributor to The Healf Source, she regularly attends seminars and programmes on a plethora of contemporary health issues and modern research insights with a drive to never stop learning. In addition, interviewing experts and specialists across The Four Pillars: EAT, MOVE, MIND, SLEEP.
In her spare time, she is an avid swimmer, mindfulness and yoga lover, occasionally bringing a raw, honest approach to the topics she faces. You may also discover some personal accounts of eye-opening wellbeing experiences amidst the reality of a disorientating, and often conflicting, modern wellbeing space.
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