Beef tallow is rendered fat from cows, usually used in cooking, but lately it’s making waves as a “natural eczema cure.” Let’s explore what we know about beef tallow, potential risks and what we still need to learn before using it for children with eczema.
Why is beef tallow gaining popularity now?
Beef tallow has gained popularity on social media recently due to a trend towards ingredients that are considered more natural or traditional. Some consumers are looking for alternatives to processed seed oils, which are common in skincare products.
What do we know about beef tallow?
A 2024 review found that while beef tallow is ok for human skin and is rich in fatty acids that theoretically could help with skin barrier repair, evidence is limited about whether it specifically helps treat eczema. Studies in both human- and reconstructed-skin models have demonstrated that oleic acid and other fatty acids can increase skin water loss over time, leading to worsening dryness. Given these findings, it is possible that the fatty acids in beef tallow could make your child’s eczema worse.
So, while some ingredients in beef tallow might help moisturize, there’s no strong scientific evidence that it treats eczema better than other, medically proven options such as ceramides. In general, the ideal moisturizer is one that is used regularly and is safe, fragrance-free, free of common allergens, and thick in texture, as in creams or ointments.
What are the concerns/risks about using beef tallow?
Because beef tallow is animal-derived, it can sometimes cause allergic reactions or worsen skin sensitivity, especially for those with eczema. Animal-derived fats may also carry bacteria or contaminants if not processed or stored properly. The high proportion of unsaturated fatty acids in beef tallow increases the risk of spoiling. Since beef tallow in skincare is used as a cosmetic ingredient, the FDA does not require pre-market approval, so there can be wide variability in product quality.
A recent study examined beef tallow-based skincare claims on social media and found that many promotions of beef tallow for skin care were not based on factual information, but used to sell particular products.
What are we still learning?
Further research is needed to evaluate the long‐term effects and safety of using beef tallow to treat children with eczema.
Beef tallow may be a trending topic, but the science just isn’t strong enough to call it a proven eczema treatment. If your child is struggling with eczema, we recommend talking to a healthcare professional before trying any new remedy. A great resource online is “Eczema in Children: A Guide for Parents,” provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics, which includes amazing handouts and videos.
Beef tallow is rendered fat from cows, usually used in cooking, but lately it’s making waves as a “natural eczema cure.” Let’s explore what we know about beef tallow, potential risks and what we still need to learn before using it for children with eczema.
Why is beef tallow gaining popularity now?
Beef tallow has gained popularity on social media recently due to a trend towards ingredients that are considered more natural or traditional. Some consumers are looking for alternatives to processed seed oils, which are common in skincare products.
What do we know about beef tallow?
A 2024 review found that while beef tallow is ok for human skin and is rich in fatty acids that theoretically could help with skin barrier repair, evidence is limited about whether it specifically helps treat eczema. Studies in both human- and reconstructed-skin models have demonstrated that oleic acid and other fatty acids can increase skin water loss over time, leading to worsening dryness. Given these findings, it is possible that the fatty acids in beef tallow could make your child’s eczema worse.
So, while some ingredients in beef tallow might help moisturize, there’s no strong scientific evidence that it treats eczema better than other, medically proven options such as ceramides. In general, the ideal moisturizer is one that is used regularly and is safe, fragrance-free, free of common allergens, and thick in texture, as in creams or ointments.
What are the concerns/risks about using beef tallow?
Because beef tallow is animal-derived, it can sometimes cause allergic reactions or worsen skin sensitivity, especially for those with eczema. Animal-derived fats may also carry bacteria or contaminants if not processed or stored properly. The high proportion of unsaturated fatty acids in beef tallow increases the risk of spoiling. Since beef tallow in skincare is used as a cosmetic ingredient, the FDA does not require pre-market approval, so there can be wide variability in product quality.
A recent study examined beef tallow-based skincare claims on social media and found that many promotions of beef tallow for skin care were not based on factual information, but used to sell particular products.
What are we still learning?
Further research is needed to evaluate the long‐term effects and safety of using beef tallow to treat children with eczema.
Beef tallow may be a trending topic, but the science just isn’t strong enough to call it a proven eczema treatment. If your child is struggling with eczema, we recommend talking to a healthcare professional before trying any new remedy. A great resource online is “Eczema in Children: A Guide for Parents,” provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics, which includes amazing handouts and videos.
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