What is tallow?

Tallow is rendered down animal beef fat. This fat can be processed from the organ fat such as the kidneys (suet) or different parts of the body (scrap fat). While you can still use the scrap to make tallow, I prefer the suet. The quality of the suet is a lot better in my opinion. Depending on your needs with the tallow, it can be used for various different things like ChapStick, body butter, cooking oil, and face moisturizer.

“Are you really going to put beef fat on your face/hands/body?”

Oh boy, if I had a dollar every time I’ve heard that! My answer every time will be 100x, yes. I will lather myself in it for as long as l can make tallow. Let me preface this with, YOU NEED TO KNOW YOUR OWN SKIN. I, myself, know my skin. It’s dry. Maybe drier than the Sahara Desert. Is it a hereditary thing? I don’t know. I do know that tallow makes it so much better. So, what are the benefits? Beef fat is very similar properties to human skin.

Vitamins –

• A – Supports vision
• D – Calcium absorption and immune function
• E – Antioxidants that help with skin damage
• K – Bone health, cardiovascular relations (heart), and blood clotting.
• B12

Beneficial fatty acids –

• Oleic – Enhances skin permeability and provides longer lasting hydration.
• Palmitoleic – Softens skin, restores skin layer
• Stearic – Moisturizes, softens, and calms the skin. Very good for eczema.
• Linoleic – Helps with water loss, anti-inflammatory, clears up skin.

These key components that beef fat is made of are very similar to our natural skin which in turn makes it easier to absorb into our skin and use as moisturizers.

Comedogenic Scale

The comedogenic scale typically rates oils on a scale from 0-5 based on the likely hood that it will clog pores. When you think of slapping some beef fat on your face you might think that it’s a 10. However, tallow falls on the scale at 2. Meaning that that the changes are low.

Shelf life

Tallow can typically last about 12 months on the counter in room air. 12-18 months in the fridge and about 2-3 years in the freezer.

It needs to be stored in an airtight container. When it is not sealed properly and oxygen gets to it is when it starts to spoil.