Tallow

Average

Agente oclusivo-opacificante

Tallow at a glance

  • Rendered beef or mutton fat
  • Long used as a multi-purpose oil
  • Rich in triglycerides
  • Lacking in evidence behind skin healing claims
  • Pure tallow can irritate skin via barrier damage

Tallow description

Tallow is rendered suet, a hard, white fat that comes from the kidneys or loins of ruminate animals (typically cows and lambs). Long used as a multi-purpose oil (with applications from cooking to fuel to candle making to skin care), it has recently gained interest as a natural moisturizer. It’s commonly referred to as beef tallow; however, tallow can also be mutton derived. Is tallow a good option when it comes to adding moisture back to skin, especially dry and dehydrated skin types? The answer isn’t definitive. On the positive side, tallow’s skin benefits can include moisturization due to its triglycerides. Tallow also contains vitamins and omega fatty acids – all wonderful skin-beneficial components. When it comes to claims about healing skin and even clearing up acne, however, the evidence is less substantial, and even contradictory, meaning more research is needed. Studies have shown that high amounts of tallow (70% or higher, meaning pure tallow) have the potential to cause skin irritation, since its large concentration of the fatty acid oleic acid can cause barrier disruption. Oleic acid is also found in high amounts in pure olive oil, which is why we advise against using this seemingly innocuous oil in 100% concentration (olive oil is just fine when blended with other non-fragrant oils and emollients). [br] [br] In the end, if you want to select a natural skin care ingredient that provides moisturizing and anti-aging benefits, there are many plant-based oils to choose from that have years and years of research backing their efficacy. Tallow is also off the table if you’re vegan or prefer cosmetics made without animal-derived ingredients.

Tallow references

  • Cureus, May 2024, pages 1-13
  • The Indian Veterinary Journal, October 2022, pages 20-26
  • Biomolecules, January 2020, pages 1-17

Peer-reviewed, substantiated scientific research is used to assess ingredients in this dictionary. Regulations regarding constraints, permitted concentration levels and availability vary by country and region.

Calificaciones de ingredientes

Mejor

Probado y respaldado por estudios independientes. Ingrediente activo excepcional para la mayoría de los tipos de piel o problemas.

Bueno

Necesario para mejorar la textura, estabilidad o penetración de una fórmula.

Promedio

Generalmente no irritante, pero puede presentar problemas de aspecto, de estabilidad u otros que limiten su utilidad.

Malo

Hay probabilidad de irritación. El riesgo aumenta cuando se combina con otros ingredientes problemáticos.

Peor

Puede causar irritación, inflamación, sequedad, etc. Puede ofrecer algún beneficio en cierta medida, pero en general, se ha comprobado que causa más daño que beneficio.

Desconocido

No pudimos encontrarlo en nuestro diccionario de ingredientes. Registramos todos los ingredientes que faltan y realizamos actualizaciones continuas.

No calificado

Aún no hemos calificado este ingrediente porque no hemos tenido la oportunidad de revisar las investigaciones existentes sobre él.