Is Beef Tallow Actually Any Good for You?

“If you have oily skin, which men tend to have, using comedogenic products is asking for a breakout,” Dr. Hartman says. “When products get stuck in pores and mix with oil, acne is almost guaranteed.”

Those with sensitive skin should also exercise caution, adds Dr. Green, as irritation, inflammation, and allergic reactions are all possible. All things considered, safer, more vetted alternatives exist to cover what beef tallow might potentially offer. Per Dr. Green, these include hyaluronic acid and glycerin—humectants that attract and boost hydration—as well as ceramides to lock in moisture and support the skin barrier.

Why are people trading beef tallow for seed oils?

Fans of beef tallow say it is rich in healthy fats and fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K2, which “support everything from thyroid health to estrogen metabolism and even liver detox,” says Gowri Rocco, MD, a double board-certified physician in Corona, California.

However, she says there’s no clinical research to date attributing hormonal health benefits to tallow specifically.

Risks of dietary beef tallow

Beef tallow is high in saturated fat content—typically around 50%—which risks increasing LDL cholesterol, according to Kaustubh Dabhadkar, MD, a cardiologist specializing in preventive cardiology in Charlotte, North Carolina.

“LDL cholesterol is responsible for plaque buildup in arteries, especially arteries that supply blood to the heart,” Dr. Dabhadkar says. “For this reason, beef tallow and saturated fats should generally be avoided as much as possible.”

Individuals with diabetes, elevated cholesterol levels, and/or a personal or family history of cardiovascular disease should be extra cautious. If you absolutely must indulge in fried food on occasion, Dr. Dabhadkar still deems seed oils—which primarily contain unsaturated fats—as a better option. (FWIW, a recent study found that higher intake of plant-based oils—including olive oil but also canola and soybean oil—was associated with lower cardiovascular, cancer, and total disease mortality compared to higher intake of butter, itself another high source of saturated fat.)

Pasquariello agrees that any purported benefits of beef tallow—hormonal or otherwise—don’t outweigh the risks.

“Tallow is also by no means a healthier, ‘cleaner,’ or ‘less toxic’ alternative to seed oils, nor does it contain higher levels of any fat-soluble vitamins than you can find elsewhere,” she says.

For example, sweet potato, spinach, and carrots are all good plant-based sources of vitamin A. Yes, we need fats in our diet—but consuming more saturated fat is far from ideal, as most Americans consume too much of it already. You’re better off prioritizing unsaturated fats with proven health perks, including but not limited to oily fish, avocados, nuts, and seeds. And, if you’re so inclined, seed oils.

“Culinary-wise, I have no problem if people want to cook with tallow from time to time due to flavor or application,” Pasquariello says, “but claiming there are extra health benefits to doing so is not accurate.”

After all, whether you’re eating potato chips with seed oils or beef tallow, the fact is that they’re both still high in fat and sodium and won’t meaningfully offer micronutrients or fiber, which many people in the US are lacking. She suggests that the fervor over beef tallow may be informed by ulterior motives.

“It’s a tactic to tug at people’s emotions, to create fear, and to drive [clicks and] sales by capitalizing on a trendy moment,” she warns.

The bottom line

Despite its recent airtime, beef tallow won’t magically transform your skin or your diet. But if you want to smear some of it on your dry elbows, or use it to add some flavor to a dish, go right ahead. Just remember: It’s not the miracle fat that MAHA says it is.