Beef tallow is touted on TikTok as the natural solution for dry and acne-prone skin. Here, experts break down what’s real and what’s fake about the latest viral skin-care trend.
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How did we get here? You have to go back to where most strange and unusual beauty trends start—TikTok, you’ll find video after video crediting model and controversial content creator Nara Smith for finding a natural solution that treats dry skin, eczema, and acne: beef tallow. A form of rendered beef fat, which is usually found around the organs of a cow, beef tallow is more commonly used in cooking. But now, it has made its way into some people’s skin routines.
“[It] speaks to a growing desire for natural, minimalist skincare,” says Chris Tomassian, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of the Dermatology Collective, of the trend. “Many people seek alternatives to synthetic ingredients found in modern products.”
