I will die on this hill: The 4 best beef tallow products that saved my skin (2025)

My face has been through it. Acne that laughed in the face of prescriptions. Perioral dermatitis that made me look like I had a permanent allergic reaction; skin so dry and dehydrated that even slugging with Vaseline felt like tossing a Dixie cup of water onto a house fire.

I had tried everything. Fancy serums, terrifying exfoliants, a 12-step Korean routine that cost me a small fortune. And then, in an act of desperation (and, okay, deep TikTok brainwashing), I rubbed beef fat all over my face — reader, I have never looked back.

What is beef tallow?

Beef tallow — yes, the stuff your ancestors fried stuff in — turned out to be the skin savior I never saw coming. It’s packed with vitamins A, D, E, and K, mimics the natural oils in human skin, and is basically the anti-inflammatory, barrier-repairing miracle Big Skincare doesn’t want you to know about.

Within one week, my perioral dermatitis vanished from view and the texture smoothed out… like, by 20%. By week two, my acne calmed, and my formerly sandpaper-textured skin felt soft. And because I’m now evangelical about smearing rendered animal fat on my face, I have tested many versions of beef tallow skincare. Below, I present the absolute best of the best — whether you need something for acne, eczema, aging, or just an unscented miracle to slather from head to toe.

Where to buy beef tallow skin products?

Best for Acne:

The Harvest & Herd Citrus & Honey Tallow Balm is a powerhouse for acne-prone skin, blending grass-fed tallow with raw honey and citrus essential oils to create a deeply nourishing, antibacterial salve. Packed with natural healing properties, this balm hydrates without clogging pores, soothes inflammation, and supports skin barrier repair. The tallow mimics skin’s natural oils, making it a perfect match for those battling breakouts without wanting to drown their face in synthetic gunk. Its thick, buttery texture melts into the skin, leaving behind a subtle, fresh scent — like a farmer’s market, but make it skincare.

Listen, I was skeptical about smearing beef fat on my already temperamental face, but this balm? Black magic. It’s like my skin got a personal apology note from the universe. The citrus makes it smell like I’m rubbing a gourmet pastry on (which, frankly, I deserve), and the honey keeps things just sticky enough to feel like it’s doing something. Within a week, my breakouts looked less like a rebellion and more like a mild disagreement. Not a miracle, but definitely a new religion.

Best for Anti-Aging: Primally Pure Everything Balm

The Everything Balm is an anti-aging powerhouse packed with organic, nutrient-rich ingredients that nourish, repair, and rejuvenate the skin. Infused with grass-fed tallow, organic jojoba oil, and calendula, it provides deep hydration while supporting collagen production and reducing fine lines. The addition of soothing essential oils gives it a subtle, natural scent, making it a luxurious multitasker for face, hands, and dry patches. Perfect for those who want a minimalist skincare routine with maximum results, this balm melts into the skin, leaving it soft, supple, and glowing.

Look, I didn’t want to love this — I already have enough skincare addictions — but here we are. This balm is like a sleep-deprived miracle worker, turning my tired, borderline-crispy skin into something suspiciously fresh. It smells like an expensive spa, but not in an obnoxious way, and I swear my fine lines look less etched in regret. It’s thick but melts in, and yes, I’ve used it on my face, elbows, and the weird dry spot on my knee. Would I sell my soul for it? No. But I’d definitely Venmo Primally Pure directly for every fine line it erases. Needless to say, this is a great beef tallow for your face and entire body.

Best for Eczema: Vintage Tradition Unscented Tallow Balm

A cult favorite among eczema sufferers, this balm is made from 100% grass-fed tallow and olive oil with just a touch of essential oils for a mild scent. It’s ultra-rich, deeply reparative, and provides lasting hydration without irritating sensitive, compromised skin. It’s free from any synthetic additives or preservatives.

If you have eczema, you know that most lotions feel like setting your skin on fire for fun. This? This is a soothing hug. My dry skin patches drank it up instantly, my skin stayed moisturized all day, and it didn’t cause any itchiness or irritation. It does leave a bit of a dewy sheen, but if that’s the price of finally having non-scaly limbs, I’ll gladly pay it.

Best for Body: Primally Pure Almond + Vanilla Body Butter

The Primally Pure Almond + Vanilla Body Butter is the ultimate indulgence for head-to-toe hydration. Made with grass-fed tallow, organic shea butter, and nourishing plant oils, this rich and creamy formula deeply moisturizes without feeling greasy. The warm, subtly sweet almond and vanilla scent makes every application feel like a luxurious treat, while its blend of skin-loving ingredients helps repair dryness, boost elasticity, and leave your skin glowing. A beef tallow for face and body, this butter is a minimalist’s dream — one jar, endless hydration.

This stuff smells like a dessert (in the best way). It’s thick, like really thick — none of that runny lotion nonsense — but somehow sinks in like it belongs there. My legs? Silky. My hands? Smooth. I slathered this on post-shower and suddenly felt like a woman who drinks herbal tea and knows how to rest. If you want hydration that actually sticks around and makes you smell vaguely edible, this is the one.

How I tested

I didn’t just dab a little tallow on and call it a day — I put these balms, butters, and creams through the wringer. Here’s how I tested each product to see if beef fat could actually earn a spot in my routine:

• Duration: I tested each product for six weeks, giving my skin time to adjust and react.
• Application areas: I used tallow on both face and body, paying close attention to hydration levels, texture, and any signs of irritation.
• Environmental conditions: I tested in different settings:
  • Cold, dry winter air (NYC wind tunnel streets, thanks)
  • Post-shower on damp skin to see if it locked in moisture
  • Under makeup to check if it played well with foundation
  • Before bed to see if I woke up looking hydrated or like an oil slick
• Absorption & texture: I tracked how quickly each product melted into my skin, if it felt greasy, and whether it left any residue.
• Breakout risk: As someone prone to surprise breakouts, I watched closely to see if tallow clogged pores or caused irritation.
• Scent factor: Some tallow-based products claim to be odorless when they smell like a literal farm — so I took notes on what was pleasantly subtle versus barnyard chic.
• Healing properties: Since tallow is supposed to be great for repairing dry patches, fine lines, and irritation, I monitored any improvements in skin texture, flakiness, and redness over time.

I went in skeptical because, let’s be real, beef fat in skincare sounds like a prank. But after six weeks? Let’s just say that some of these products might have earned a permanent spot on my shelf.

FAQs

Does beef tallow actually help skin?

Beef tallow, rendered from cow fat, has gained attention in skincare due to its rich composition of fatty acids, such as oleic, palmitic, stearic, and linoleic acids, which can form a protective barrier, sealing in moisture and supporting the skin barrier. Additionally, tallow contains vitamins A, D, E, and K, nutrients beneficial for skin health. A 2024 medical review highlighted tallow’s hydrating and moisturizing properties, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits for conditions like dermatitis, psoriasis, dry skin, and wounds. However, the same review emphasized significant research gaps regarding its efficacy and safety in human skincare, indicating the need for more comprehensive studies.

Will tallow clog my pores?

Beef tallow’s potential to clog pores, or its comedogenicity, is a subject of ongoing discussion. Some sources suggest that tallow is non-comedogenic, meaning it is unlikely to clog pores. However, other research indicates that beef tallow is quite comedogenic and may lead to breakouts. Given these differing perspectives, it’s advisable to conduct a patch test before incorporating tallow into your skincare routine, particularly if you’re prone to acne or have sensitive skin. For some, it’s an acne-prone person’s saving grace; for others, it simply doesn’t do the job.

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