What is beef tallow and why is it used in skincare?
Hearing for the first time that a skincare product is made from beef tallow might seem a bit unexpected. In reality, however, using beef tallow for skincare is nothing new; it has been used for a very long time.
For Tallowmar, the key appeal of beef tallow lies above all in its simplicity. It allows for the creation of a rich, water-free skincare product without the need for an extensive list of ingredients.
What is tallow?
Tallow is rendered beef fat. Carefully purified fat is used in cosmetics to make products such as body butters and soaps.
Beef tallow consists primarily of various fatty acids, including oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids. It is this fatty acid composition that gives it a rich, softening feel on the skin.
Why do I like beef tallow in skincare?
1. Simple composition
No water or emulsifiers are required to produce an anhydrous balm. As a result, the product can have a short list of ingredients.
2. Pleasant for dry skin
Tallow acts as a skin softener and helps reduce the rough sensation caused by skin dryness.
3. A small amount is enough.
Since body butter contains no water, it is concentrated. A very small amount is usually sufficient for the skin—and besides, you can always add more if needed.
4. Raw materials find a new use
Beef fat is an animal-derived raw material that, instead of being discarded, can be valorized and used to manufacture a new product.
But is beef fat suitable for everyone, too?
As with any skincare product, suitability depends on the individual's skin and the specific product. What works very well for one person's skin may not be the best choice for another.
If you are trying a beef tallow-based product for the first time, start with a small amount and see how your skin reacts to it.
What makes a water-free balm different?
A standard cream typically contains water, oil or tallow, and an emulsifier to bind them together. A water-free balm, however, consists of fat-soluble ingredients and does not require an emulsifier to combine water and oil.
Therefore, the amount used also differs; a quite small quantity of the balm is usually sufficient for the skin.
Could beef tallow be a good fit for your skincare routine, too?
If you love water-free skincare products with simple ingredients, you might want to start with the fragrance-free Galloway body butter. A small amount goes a long way! Let the butter melt from your body heat and gently massage it into your skin. It’s that simple 💛
