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Recently, as more women on social networking services (SNS) like TikTok have reported experiencing excellent moisturizing effects by applying beef tallow to their faces, dermatologists and other experts have warned of side effects, calling it an "unproven method."

The New York Times (NYT) reported that searching for 'beef tallow' on platforms like TikTok easily reveals videos showing how to separate fat from beef to make a cream applied to the skin, with claims of positive effects. Beef tallow is fat extracted from beef and turned into a liquid. While it generally refers to beef fat used in cooking, known as uji (牛脂), in cosmetics it specifically means fat from around the cow’s kidneys.

A video showing the process of making and applying beef tallow cream. TikTok

Green, a 28-year-old woman living in Hillsdale, Indiana, said she stopped buying expensive cosmetics after seeing an SNS video introducing beef tallow as a "miraculous natural skincare product cheaper than luxury cosmetics." Instead, Green buys beef every week when grocery shopping at large supermarkets. She cooks the beef in boiling water to separate the fat, then adds essential oils and stirs to make a cream, sharing the process in videos on her SNS. Green told the NYT that she uses the beef tallow cream she makes as a "magic potion" for various skin issues such as insect bites, rashes, and burns.

Morgan Helm, a 24-year-old woman living in Manhattan, New York, said on a podcast that she first learned about beef tallow cream and saw great results after purchasing it. She now uses only beef tallow products as her facial moisturizer, saying, "The slight meat smell is the price you pay for having glowing skin."

Riding this trend, the cosmetics industry is also rushing to release basic products using beef tallow. The NYT reported that American beef farms extract fat from the kidney area, which was previously discarded after slaughter, bottle it, and sell it, boosting sales. However, dermatologists and other experts caution against applying beef tallow to the face instead of using skincare products.

Dr. Zakia Raman, a professor of dermatology at Stanford University School of Medicine, explained, "Facial creams should have a higher ratio of linoleic acid, a polyunsaturated fatty acid, rather than oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid, but beef fat is the opposite." She added, "Beef tallow contains 47% oleic acid but only about 3% linoleic acid." She warned, "Beef tallow cream can cause acne or skin irritation."

Dr. Mary L. Stevenson, associate professor of dermatology at NYU Langone Health Center, also said, "There is very little data on beef tallow, and there are many other alternatives. Generally, it is not recommended to apply it to the face, especially for patients."