What is tallow and why put it on your skin?

What is tallow and why put it on your skin?

What is tallow and why put it on your skin?

Tallow skincare is making a powerful comeback and for good reason. This time-tested, nutrient-rich fat is one of the most natural and effective ingredients you can use to support healthy, glowing skin. In this post, we’ll explore what tallow is, how it works, and the science-backed reasons why your skin loves it.

What is tallow?

Tallow is a form of rendered fat, typically made from beef suet (the white fat under the skin or surrounding the kidneys). Once gently purified, it becomes a creamy, highly absorbable substance that is biologically compatible with human skin.

What sets tallow apart from modern synthetic moisturisers is its natural similarity to the oils our skin produces. This makes it incredibly effective at nourishing and protecting the skin without clogging pores or disrupting the body’s natural processes.

Benefits of tallow for skin health

Rich in skin-loving vitamins

Tallow is naturally high in vitamins A, D, E, and K, all of which play crucial roles in supporting skin health:

  • Vitamin A encourages skin cell turnover and collagen production.

  • Vitamin D helps regulate skin barrier function and immune responses.

  • Vitamin E acts as a powerful antioxidant.

  • Vitamin K supports skin healing and reduces inflammation.

These fat-soluble vitamins are found in a bioavailable form in tallow, making them easy for the skin to absorb and use effectively.

Tallow and collagen production

One of the reasons people turn to tallow-based skincare is its ability to naturally support collagen production. According to research, vitamin A is part of a group of compounds that are among the most effective substances for slowing the aging process in skin (1). The vitamins and essential fatty acids found in tallow have been suggested to stimulate collagen synthesis, improving skin texture and elasticity. This makes tallow a powerful anti-aging ally, especially for dry or mature skin.

The fatty acids in tallow and their skin benefits

Tallow is composed of a unique balance of fatty acids that provide deep moisturisation and barrier support. These include:

1. Oleic acid (Omega-9) - 37.5% of tallow’s composition

  • Penetrates deep into the skin, enhancing hydration and elasticity

  • Anti-inflammatory and soothing, ideal for dry or irritated skin

2. Palmitic acid - 27.5%

  • Reinforces the skin’s barrier to retain moisture and protect against pollutants

  • Supports a smooth, supple complexion

3. Stearic acid - 17.5%

  • Helps repair the skin barrier and improves texture

  • Aids in cleansing without stripping skin of natural oils

Each of these fatty acids plays a specific role in keeping your skin healthy, resilient, and moisturised and have been highlighted in research to help with the treatment of dermatitis, psoriasis, dry skin, and wounds. Making tallow a complete, skin-compatible moisturiser with healing properties (2).

Why choose tallow-based skincare?

In today’s skincare world, filled with hard-to-pronounce ingredients and hormone-disrupting chemicals, tallow offers something beautifully simple. Real nourishment from nature.

At Cowlick Skincare, we craft our moisturisers using only the highest-quality tallow, blended with raw honey and pure essential oils. Whether you're using our calming blend (rose, chamomile, lavender) or our energising formula (pink grapefruit, ginger, rosemary), you’re feeding your skin what it truly needs—no fillers, no toxins, just pure natural goodness.

If you’ve been searching for a truly natural moisturiser that works with your body and not against it. Tallow might be exactly what your skin has been waiting for.

👉 Try it for yourself and discover the difference. 👈

References

  1. Zasada, M., & Budzisz, E. (2019). Retinoids: active molecules influencing skin structure formation in cosmetic and dermatological treatments. Advances in Dermatology and Allergology/Postȩpy Dermatologii i Alergologii, 36(4), 392. https://doi.org/10.5114/ADA.2019.87443

  2. Russell, M. F., Sandhu, M., Vail, M., Haran, C., Batool, U., & Leo, J. (2024). Tallow, Rendered Animal Fat, and Its Biocompatibility With Skin: A Scoping Review. Cureus, 16(5), e60981. https://doi.org/10.7759/CUREUS.60981

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