To be honest, I found some life-changing beauty tips on tiktok. Bag balm, a moisturizer originally used to soothe rough cow breasts, has become my go-to for dry cuticles, and sock curls, heatless styling tricks for long-lasting waves have replaced my need for hot tools. The latest craze trend to take over the platform is to put tallow, a byproduct of animal fats, all over the face and neck. And while my years as a beauty editor have certainly exposed me to some unusual products before, the use of tallow on the skin is my 2024 beauty bucket

Still, more than 17,000 TikTok creators have sung praise for Tallow's anti-inflammatory, collagen-boosting properties. Scrolling through my BeautyTok FYP, the last few days I start to think that big tallow is coming for Sephora. The creators claim that tallow is a "3-day cure" for acne. The video after the video shows that dry, cracked, acne-ridden skin turns into a transparent and elastic complexion. It has become a movement worthy of the Ballerina Farm Meets Nala Smith type ambassador.

What intrigues me is that the movement is beyond the raw milk crowd. Several estheticians, a handful of dermatologists and even Marie Claire's own editor-in-chief, Nikki Ogunnaike, tend to tallow, favoring products that are ethically sourced and filled with ingredients that are good for your skin like sunflower oil, tomato extract and rosemary extract. As she reveals, "I get very dehydrated from air travel, especially during Milan Fashion Week, and overall enough water and not much wine it moisturizes like my favorite Eucerine Intensive Repair Lotion — I love it."

If you take a step back, you can see why tallow has attracted cult support. "Tallow is rich in omega fatty acids, which helps people with dry skin because it supports the skin barrier, moisturizes and nourishes the skin," said Marisa Garshick of Md FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist. Linoleic acid is also contained in the mixture, and substances of natural origin are able to reduce skin inflammation.

The cause of the suspension is that tallow is unregulated and not FDA approved, notes Robert Finney, a board-certified dermatologist, MD FAAD and founder of Soho Skin and Hair. It can be harvested from factory-farmed cattle and is prone to bacteria that can cause more serious skin problems down the line. "The creators of the trend have to put on social media timeouts for a little bit. Nature is not always good," he says. "If your skin is dry, do yourself a favor — avoid the local butcher or head to the target and get La Roche Posay Lipikar AP+M"

In that note, read ahead to get a complete breakdown on the trend of tallow before buying into the buzzy hype. Here, 2 board certified dermatologists ask your grandparents about the possible benefits (we need more research), risks, and myths surrounding skin tallow

and they will probably tell you that it is the secret ingredient in their delicious roast. According to the Mayo Clinic, tallow is made by removing, boiling and revealing the adipose tissue around the cow's organs. Ogunnaike likens it to organic shea butter - you can season a cast iron pot or solidify it into a candle or wax.If TikTok has anything to say about it, make that way in your face.

Tallow is rich in fatty acids, lipids and vitamins, so it is inherently moisturizing. It also contains linoleic acid, which has an anti-inflammatory effect. "This is why it is considered in people with eczema and psoriasis, even though it has not actually been tested in these patients," says Dr. Garshick.

As a rule, use only products tested by dermatologists and approved by the FDA for the face. But if you really want to use beef tallow, it is safer to use it on thick skin, such as heels and elbows. (Personally, I stick to proven vaseline.

Short answer: No. Despite viral videos that make tallow look like a cure for acne, dermatologists agree that tallow is incredibly obstructive. "It can clog pores and contribute to breakouts," says Dr. Finney. Instead, a range for lightweight, oil-free moisturizers that are non-comedogenic. Your skin will thank you.

Tallow may offer some of the same hydration and skin-nourishing benefits as traditional lipid-rich moisturizers, but its safety and efficacy have not been fully studied. Tallow is not regulated by the FDA and does not contain preservatives, as it is proud to be a "pure" and "natural" alternative. "It further increases the risk of contaminants that can cause infection," says Dr. Finney. "Even if it is pure, it can easily rot and cause infection later."Pay special attention to changes in color, texture and smell.

There are also ethical dilemmas to consider. If you choose to go ahead with a full steam with animal fat on your face, do your research. Some options, like Ogunnaike's favorite from Sky High Farms, are derived from 100% grass-fed tallow on farms that promote animal well-being, while others are harvested from cattle farms that promote animal cruelty, like products from Amazon and TikTok shop.

Scroll ahead to buy my favorite collagen-boosting, anti-inflammatory moisturizer, which is FDA-approved, at its heart, as affordable as tallow and safe for your skin.