The Truth About Tallow
Not All “Natural” and “Clean” Products Are Good for Your Skin—Here’s Why Tallow Doesn’t Belong on Your Face…or Anywhere Else.
You’ve probably seen small brands at the farmer’s market and the organic grocery store, social media influencers, or even friends praising the benefits of tallow—rendered animal fat—as a “natural” solution for glowing skin.
But here’s the problem: what works for viral trends doesn’t always work for your skin barrier, and what is “Ancestral” doesn’t always work for our modern day environment.
But here’s the truth no one is talking about: tallow is not compatible with human skin.
As a Skin Health Specialist and Formal Educator trained in Corneotherapy, I’m here to walk you through the science behind what your skin actually needs, instead of trends.
Let’s compare tallow to dermaviduals® Derma Membrane Structure (DMS), the skin-identical base I use in your treatments and product plans, and you’ll see why one supports healing and the other gets in the way.
Your Skin Barrier: The Foundation of Healthy Skin
Your outermost skin layer—the stratum corneum—functions like a fortress. It’s made of:
Corneocytes (the “bricks”)
Lipids (the “mortar”)
These lipids form a lamellar structure—a highly organized arrangement of ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids in roughly a 1:1:1 ratio. This structure is what keeps your skin hydrated, resilient, and protected.
When the skin barrier is compromised, it leads to TEWL (transepidermal water loss), inflammation, and increased sensitivity or breakouts.
Glossary:
Lamellar structure – A layered structure in the skin that maintains moisture and protection.
TEWL – Transepidermal Water Loss: the evaporation of water through the skin, a key sign of a damaged barrier.
Corneocytes – Flattened skin cells in the stratum corneum (outermost layer of the skin). Essential for skin’s outer defense.
The Problem With Tallow
Tallow is rendered from animal fat—usually beef—and contains very high percentages of saturated and monounsaturated fats like oleic and stearic acid. These percentages are well beyond what the skin produces naturally. While it may feel rich and moisturizing, here’s why it doesn’t support your skin barrier:
Wrong Lipid Profile: Tallow lacks ceramides and phospholipids—critical components your skin needs to function well. The composition varies by animal, diet, and processing method, meaning it’s unpredictable and not biomimetic (skin-like).
Occlusive, Not Restorative: Tallow forms a waxy seal on the skin, trapping moisture (and bacteria) without rebuilding the skin’s structure.
Comedogenic: It can clog pores, worsening skin conditions and possibly creating new ones.
Microbiome Disruption: By sitting heavily on the skin, tallow can trap sweat and alter the skin microbiome, which plays a crucial role in immune defense.
Glossary:
Comedogenic – Clogs pores and contribute to blackheads, breakouts, and redness.
Occlusive – Creates a seal over the skin. May help with moisture short-term but doesn’t restore skin function, and leads to impaired skin regeneration.
Microbiome – The community of bacteria that live on the skin that protects against inflammation and infection.
Why dermaviduals® DMS (Derma Membrane Structure) is Different
DMS is specifically engineered to mimic the lipid composition of healthy human skin. It contains:
Phosphatidylcholine – Essential for rebuilding cell membranes and enhancing lipid flexibility
Ceramides – Restore the barrier and improve hydration
Squalane – Skin-identical oil that conditions without clogging
Triglycerides & Phytosterols – Nourish and protect without suffocating the skin
Most importantly, dermaviduals® products actually merge with your skin’s own barrier, repairing and regenerating real healing rather than a temporary fix.
Glossary:
Phosphatidylcholine – Present in all cell membranes; helps skin heal and deliver active ingredients.
Ceramides – Help maintain moisture and integrity in the skin.
Squalane – A stable oil that mimics the skin’s natural sebum but does not clog pores.
Bottom Line: Tallow Might Be Trending, But It’s Not Helping Your Skin
Tallow might feel rich and creamy, and it may even seem like it works for awhile, but it does not repair the skin barrier and will always tip the scales in the wrong direction eventually. DMS, on the other hand, restores your skin by repairing the barrier, replenishing the internal components, and regenerating the skin’s lifecyle and connective tissue—without clogging or disrupting your skin’s natural processes.
I wholeheartedly believe that makers, influencers, friends and family mean well, they really do, but they simply do not have the knowledge of the skin’s biology or cosmetic chemistry to formulate products that work with the skin—not against it.
If you’ve been using tallow and your skin feels bumpy, congested, inflamed, or just feel like something is missing, this could be why.
dermaviduals® doesn’t just make your skin feel better. It repairs and helps your skin naturally create itself by giving it the nutrients it needs to function.
If you’re looking for real barrier repair, skip the trends. Stick with skin-identical solutions. Work with a professional (that’s me!) who doesn’t use “one-size-fits-all” solutions.
Want help choosing the right products for YOUR skin?
If you’re new here, you’ll want to schedule an Advanced Skin Analysis and Introductory Facial Treatment or Advanced Skin Analysis. If you already have an established dermaviduals® regimen and need a spring reset, or you’re just looking to relax and check things out before diving any deeper, I would like to invite you to schedule any Facial Treatment and experience real healing.
Not local? Not a problem!
I offer Virtual Services too!
(US only. I can also connect you to a dermaviduals® Corneotherapist if you a located in another country.)
