In recent decades, the term "fat" has become a dirty word. It has been shunned and removed from various foods, and we've been strongly advised to eradicate it from our diets. Fat has been portrayed as something detrimental, even harmful, to our well-being, with dire warnings about its potential impact on our longevity. It's no wonder that many people may not have heard about the use of beef tallow for skin health.
However, it's essential to recognize that our bodies actually require fats to function optimally. Our bodies are naturally designed to contain a certain percentage of fat, typically ranging between 18.5% and 24.9%. Healthy fats play a vital role in supporting our overall health at the cellular level.
Fortunately, the perception of fat is evolving, and it is no longer as taboo as it once was. Many functional doctors, nutritionists, and health advocates are reinstating fat as a crucial component of a balanced and healthy diet.
Moreover, beyond its role in nutrition, fat is making a comeback in various aspects of our well-being, including our skin. This brings us to the concept of tallow.
So, what exactly is tallow?
Tallow is a type of fat, as you may have gathered. Let's delve deeper into what makes tallow such a valuable asset for promoting skin health.
The truth about fat is now widespread, and it's a positive transformation in our understanding.
What Is Tallow?
Beef tallow is a form of rendered fat obtained by gently extracting excess fat deposits from processed cow meat. This fat is carefully melted to preserve its nutrients and separate it from the interior fat tissue known as suet. Beef tallow remains solid at room temperature and is often sold in jars, similar to coconut oil, or as a solid beef tallow block. It has a melting point ranging between 43-54 degrees Celsius.
History of Tallow
Beef tallow has a long and storied history. It was one of the original oils used for cooking in bygone eras.
Traditional Uses for Beef Tallow
Beef tallow has a wide range of applications, from culinary to moisturising, and even in candle and soap production.
In cooking, beef tallow boasts rich flavour, high levels of beneficial fats, and a high smoke point, making it a versatile ingredient for various dishes. When used for cooking, beef tallow provides essential fatty acids and cholesterol that contribute to brain function, hormone regulation, and overall cellular health.
Interestingly, candles and soaps were initially crafted from animal fats, with beef tallow being one of the primary ingredients used.
For us, tallow's significance extends to skincare.
Tallow for Skin
If you're attentive to product labels, you've likely come across "tallow" listed among the ingredients in many of our deodorants and skincare products.
But before delving further, it's crucial to note that the most beneficial type of beef tallow for skin comes from grass-fed cows. Why is this important? Simply put, using this type of tallow for skin offers the densest concentration of essential nutrients, akin to how an organic and clean diet is far more nutritious than one filled with genetically modified foods containing seed oils.
Grass-fed tallow has the potential to transform your skin for the better, as it is rich in vitamins and minerals that your skin craves.
(And rest assured, we exclusively source our beef tallow from grass-fed cows.)
Beef tallow acts as a safe and cost-effective superfood for your skin when applied topically, and its historical use for skincare dates back to an era before the influx of synthetic chemicals and unnatural substances.
The benefits are more than just talk; we have scientific evidence to support the claims. Let's delve into the nutrient and vitamin breakdown to understand why tallow is our favourite choice for skin care.
Nutrient Content You Gain From Using Tallow for Skin
Tallow is a rich source of fat-soluble Vitamins A, D, and K, harmoniously combined with their activators. This is a significant reason why beef tallow exerts a profound influence on both your skin and overall health. Grass-fed tallow also contains four times the amount of Vitamin E compared to grain-fed cows and boasts anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, thanks to high concentrations of essential fatty acids like conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and palmitoleic acid.
Here's how each of these vitamins benefits your skin:
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Vitamin A encourages collagen production, elastin synthesis, and the generation of healthy skin cells, contributing to firm, smooth, and youthful skin. It can address various skin issues, including acne, and slow down the effects of aging.
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Vitamin D plays a vital role in skin cell development, repair, metabolism, and immune function. It safeguards your skin by protecting against free radicals responsible for premature aging.
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Vitamin K is essential for maintaining skin tone, texture, and overall health. It can soothe skin inflammation, irritation, and expedite the healing process.
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Vitamin E repairs and reverses damage caused by free radicals, effectively hydrating and promoting healing in your skin's appearance.
The scientific basis for tallow's effectiveness in improving skin health is noteworthy. Beef tallow's composition closely resembles that of our skin, with both consisting predominantly of fatty acids, especially saturated fats. This similarity allows beef tallow to harmoniously interact with our cell biology, nourishing and enhancing our skin health, which is fundamentally rooted in cellular well-being.
Moreover, tallow's resemblance to sebum, the oily substance that naturally moisturises and protects our skin, further underscores its compatibility and effectiveness. Both tallow and sebum are primarily composed of triglycerides, which possess emollient and skin-replenishing properties. Interestingly, "sebum" even translates to "tallow" in Latin.
Incorporating tallow into your skincare routine is a straightforward process, especially if it's already included in your skincare products. Whether beef tallow is an ingredient in your skincare items or a standalone component, here are some tips for optimal application:
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Use tallow sparingly, as it is highly concentrated and pure, unlike diluted lotions.
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Tallow is safe and effective for all areas of the body, including sensitive skin, making it suitable even for babies.
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For a radiant glow, consider spritzing before and after application to avoid the excessively oily appearance that some rich moisturizers can impart.
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Always opt for tallow sourced from grass-fed cows, as conventionally raised cattle may contain toxins that accumulate in their fat tissue.
Ready to explore tallow's benefits for your skin? You'll find tallow in our Body Butter, Lip Balm, Baby Balm, and Deodorant. These products contain a synergistic blend of responsibly sourced animal fats and organic plant oils, working in unison to deeply moisturise and nourish the skin. This combination of nutrients and fats is essential for maintaining skin health, elasticity, and balance.
Drawing from historical beauty standards, the use of tallow for skincare and other purposes has been a long-standing tradition, celebrated for its powerful healing properties over centuries. This rich tradition is the reason why many of our Primally Pure products incorporate this precious element.
With the wealth of knowledge surrounding tallow's benefits, it's no surprise that this nutrient-rich, vitamin-laden form of rendered animal fat is making a significant resurgence in the realm of skincare.
Beef tallow for beautiful skin doesn’t seem so strange anymore, does it?
Try it out – your skin will thank you!
Kayleigh x
