In this blog we will explore tallow together starting from where it comes from, the benefits and the risks to fully understand it in its completeness. Other articles and blogs I have read have been citing the benefits, but knowing what I know about skin and how our bodies work to absorb as an herbalist, I had to truly understand this ingredient that has caught the attention of the masses for myself. Fast forward to a Facebook post I commented on yesterday and here I am writing this blog after someone asked me to educate them on the subject. Let us enter together into the world of Tallow…
The Harvesting of Tallow From Its Source
The process of making tallow begins with sourcing fat from animals. Let’s dive into the process from the live animal to the final tallow product:
Raising the Animals: The first step involves the rearing of animals. The quality of tallow can be influenced by the animal's diet and living conditions.
Harvesting Fat Post-Butchering: After the animal is deceased, the process of butchering takes place. During butchering, fat is harvested from the animal. The type of fat used for tallow is typically the harder fat found around the kidneys and loins, known as suet.
Rendering the Fat: The harvested fat is then rendered to make tallow. Rendering is a process of heating the fat to separate the liquid fats from the protein and other solid materials. This can be done through dry or wet rendering. In dry rendering, fat is heated in a pot or oven without water, causing it to melt and separate from impurities. In wet rendering, water is added to the fat, and the mixture is boiled. The fat melts and rises to the top, separating from water and impurities.
“Purifying” the Tallow: After rendering, the liquid fat is “purified”. It's often filtered to remove any remaining solid particles. This process might be repeated several times to ensure the clarity of the tallow. It is important to note as you look at the consumption or the topical use of an animal product, if the animal had any diseases, hormones, etc. “purifying” does not remove impurities from the body’s pre-death state.
Cooling and Solidifying: The purified fat is then allowed to cool and solidify. Once solid, it can be stored and used as needed. Tallow is stable at room temperature and has a long shelf life when stored properly.
Final Product: The final product, tallow, is a white or yellowish solid fat.
The quality of tallow can vary depending on the animal's diet and the rendering process. The rendering and purification processes are crucial in determining the purity and quality of the final tallow product.
Why Is Tallow Gaining Popularity in SkinCare?
In the world of “natural” skincare, tallow – essentially rendered animal fat or as I like to say, lard – has been making waves. To slather on lard or not to slather on lard, that is the question… Here’s why some are choosing to slather on the lard.
Mimics Human Sebum: Tallow is similar to human sebum, the natural oil produced by our skin. This similarity means that tallow can be easily absorbed, potentially aiding in moisturizing and nourishing the skin. Is that a good thing or bad thing? We’ll let you decide for yourself at the end of this blog.
Rich in Nutrients: Tallow is packed with vitamins A, D, E, and K, along with a range of fatty acids. These nutrients can be beneficial for skin health, potentially improving skin elasticity and promoting overall skin health. Oh behold the lard based fountain of youth!
“Sustainable” Option: For those that like to use and are committed to using every part of an animal, tallow represents a way to minimize waste, aligning with a more “sustainable” and holistic approach to animal products. As I was writing this blog I could not help to wonder, knowing it’s the hardened fat surrounding the kidneys and loins, how much tallow is produced from 1 animal? When someone orders a tub, how many animals did it take to make the 1 tub? Are they now using other fats from the cow that are typically not the hardened fat to mass produce it? I cannot find the answer anywhere…
And Now To The Truth Outside of the Good Stuff About Tallow That Is All The Rave…
Possible Health Risks: Studies suggest potential negative health effects of using animal fats like tallow in SkinCare. If the animal from which the tallow is sourced has been exposed to toxins, these can be present in the fat. When applied to the skin, your largest organ, these toxins could be absorbed, much like consuming meat. In addition, when you consume animal fat your overall health is impacted. This is one I am passionate about educating ya’ll on because of my grandfather, Unias, who loved him some gristle and died very young. At the end of this blog I have included what happens to your body when you just consume animal fat and dive specifically into tallow and gristle.
Not FDA-Approved: I know, I know, but, It's important to note that tallow-based skincare products are not FDA-approved. This means there's a lack of regulation and standardization, leading to inconsistent product quality, performance and source of tallow. Where’s that cow from? Your guess is as good as mine.
Another significant issue with lack of FDA approval for tallow in skincare products, primarily due to the risk of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as mad cow disease. This lack of regulation raises concerns about the consistency and safety of tallow-based products.
The quality of tallow can vary greatly depending on the diet and treatment of the source animals. Tallow from grass-fed, pasture-raised cows is generally considered to be of higher quality compared to that from grain-fed, factory-farmed cows. This difference in quality can affect the nutrient profile of the tallow, including its levels of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins. The major risk is the potential presence of impurities or toxins in the tallow, especially if it comes from animals that were not raised in a clean, toxin-free environment. This could potentially lead to health hazards if these impurities are absorbed through the skin.
Risk of Clogged Pores and Irritation: Tallow is, after all, a form of fat. There's a possibility it could clog pores, especially for those with naturally oily or acne-prone skin. Additionally, tallow alters the natural pH of your skin, which could lead to irritation or discomfort for some individuals.
The use of tallow in skincare has sparked considerable debate, with a variety of views on its benefits and potential risks. I’m just here and writing this blog to provide you what I know and have learned. I want you to be able to make an educated decision on using Tallow in all forms, but most importantly on your largest organ, your skin. There are non-animal alternatives to tallow that are plant based.
Here's a few botanicals and oils that have the same vitamins and fats as tallow without the risk of how the animal was raised, fed and slaughtered.
Mimic Sebum: Jojoba Oil, Squalane Oil (Olive),
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Walnuts, Flaxseed, Avocado, Kokum
Fatty Acids: Calendula, Chamomile, Olive
Vitamin A: Carrot, Mango
Vitamin E: Almond, Avocado, Olive
Vitamin D: The Sun, Mushrooms (certain types)
Vitamin K: Basil, Parsley, Avocado
If you're considering incorporating tallow into your skincare routine, it's crucial to understand these risks. While tallow can offer certain benefits for skin health, such as moisturizing properties and a rich nutrient profile, it's important to consider the potential risks, including impurity concerns, your overall health, lack of regulatory oversight, and the possibility of clogged pores or skin irritation.
As with any skincare product, it's advisable to consult with a dermatologist or skincare professional.
Ausrine™ prepares an organic and natural propriety base formula in our products that is made of seed and nut oils, herbs, roots and flowers packing a punch of over 20+ holistic ingredients to give your skin it’s best care, in addition to when making the formula additional natural essential oils like frankincense and myrrh. We also can customize your formula for you so your mind, body and soul can receive what it needs. If I can help in anyway, I am here. Ausrine™ was born out of healing my oldest son’s Achilles tear during his college football career. I’ve made Earthly Healer™ ever since to help others and added to the product line as friends, family and coworkers asked for solutions. My promise to myself was I would always share the good, the bad and the ugly when I see it. You have choices and I always want to be here to help in any way that I can for your overall health. Tallow for me is a tough call… I see the benefits. Will I ever use them in my products I make? Absolutely no. Will I ever personally use them? Absolutely no. I will confess, after all the rage and even understanding the risks, being an animal lover and tree hugger, there was a big vat of tallow on someone’s counter when I went to visit and I could not resist taking some out and putting it under my eyes. I was not a fan of the smell (which I’m sure is covered up in a cream) or the heaviness on my skin (I was surprised at that after what I’ve seen people say). In pure form, I literally was slathering on the lard. I immediately washed my face and repented… (you’re supposed to laugh at that one). To use or not to use, that is the question you must answer for yourself. As promised above, below are the effects of animal fats on your body in honor of my grandpa, that as a kid I thought had a snake in his arm his artery was so clogged from gristle. I’ve also included how your largest organ, your skin, works specific to skincare so you can discern the correlations.
Consuming hardened animal fats like tallow and gristle impacts on your body:
Digestion and Absorption: These fats are digested similarly to other dietary fats. However, their high saturated fat content can make them more challenging to digest, especially in large quantities. Animal fats are primarily composed of saturated and unsaturated fats. They are broken down by enzymes in the digestive system into fatty acids and glycerol, which are then absorbed into the bloodstream. You will learn below that your skin is a direct line to your bloodstream.
Cholesterol and Heart Health: Saturated fats can raise LDL (bad) cholesterol levels in your blood, potentially increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Caloric Density: Tallow and gristle are calorie-dense, which can contribute to weight gain if consumed in excess.
Possible Disease Risks: A diet high in saturated fats from animal sources is associated with an increased risk of various diseases, including cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancer.
Impact on Gut Health: High intake of such fats may affect gut health and could lead to digestive issues for some individuals.
Energy Storage and Utilization: Excess fat is stored in adipose tissue and used when the body requires energy.
Disease Risks: Excessive intake of animal fats, especially those high in saturated fats, is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
Organ Health: High intake of unhealthy animal fats may contribute to the development of fatty liver disease and exacerbate conditions like pancreatitis.
Skin Absorption Process As Mentioned, Specific to SkinCare:
When you apply a substance to your skin, it can be absorbed and processed by your body in various ways. The skin, being the largest organ, plays a critical role in this process. The absorption of substances through the skin, known as dermal absorption, involves these substances penetrating the skin and entering the bloodstream, which can have various effects on your health.
The extent and speed of skin absorption depend on several factors, including the integrity of the skin (whether it's damaged or intact), the area of skin exposure, the physical and chemical properties of the substance. The stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the skin, acts as a barrier in this process, determining how much and how fast chemicals are absorbed. Remember one of the main benefits of tallow is it mimics our sebum and that means it is quickly absorbed right into your bloodstream.
Different substances can be absorbed through the skin, ranging from beneficial components like medications to potentially harmful chemicals like pesticides, heavy metals, and volatile organic compounds. Some common substances absorbed through the skin include nicotine, caffeine, alcohol, and certain cosmetic ingredients.
While skin absorption can be useful for delivering medications and treatments, it also poses risks. Exposure to harmful substances through the skin can lead to various health issues such as skin irritation, allergic reactions, and in some cases, more severe conditions like cancer. It's important to be aware of the ingredients in skincare and personal care products and the potential risks associated with skin absorption. Opting for products with natural and non-toxic ingredients can help reduce these risks.
The skin's health significantly impacts its ability to absorb substances. Healthy, intact skin is more resilient and better able to resist the penetration of harmful substances, whereas damaged or irritated skin may be more permeable. Additionally, the thickness of the skin and the location of application can also affect absorption.
To minimize the risk of harmful skin absorption, it is advisable to avoid direct skin contact with harmful substances, use protective clothing, and maintain good skin hygiene. Choosing skincare products with safe, non-toxic ingredients and being mindful of environmental toxins are also crucial steps in protecting your health.
The content provided on this blog is for informational and educational purposes only. This blog is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
The information presented on this site, including but not limited to discussions related to tallow and its uses, is based on personal opinions, experiences, and research. It should not be considered as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or health concerns.