Beef Tallow for Eczema

If you or someone you love has eczema, you know it can be frustrating, painful, and, frankly, exhausting. If you’ve tried countless creams, lotions, and prescriptions with little success, you might be ready to give just about anything a try, including beef tallow—a fat rendered from beef.  

Beef tallow has been gaining attention in the skincare world, especially among people looking for more holistic eczema remedies. But does beef tallow for eczema really help ease your symptoms, or is it just another trend not worth paying attention to? 

Why beef tallow may help with eczema

Beef tallow is surprisingly similar to the oils naturally found in our skin (called sebum), containing important fatty acids. These include:

• Omega-3, 6, and 9: deeply moisturizing
• Palmitic acid: protects the skin barrier
• Stearic acid: helps repair damaged skin
• Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA): known for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects

While there isn’t any current research on using beef tallow for eczema, there is research to support the use of some of these fatty acids. Researchers found Omega-3 and Omega-6 to be particularly beneficial for eczema. 

In addition to fatty acids, beef tallow is full of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, all of which support skin health and repair. Since eczema typically involves a damaged skin barrier, the ability of beef tallow’s components to replenish and protect the skin have the potential to offer supportive benefits.

Still, more research is needed. “In theory, I think beef tallow could help, and it could be used as an effective moisturizer. But we don’t have enough evidence to endorse it yet,” says Nadia Esmaeaili, PA-C, Zest Health provider. 

Be sure to consult with a licensed dermatology provider for personalized insight into whether beef tallow could fit into your management plan. 

How beef tallow compares to traditional eczema treatments

Traditional eczema treatments include topical medications, oral medications, light therapy, injections, and over-the-counter solutions. “These products have high quality evidence to support their use, whereas beef tallow has none,” says Esmaeaili.

As with any prescription, each of these treatments come with potential risks and benefits that have to be weighed—such as thinning of the skin with prolonged steroid use. Beef tallow, while natural, doesn’t have any evidence to suggest its effectiveness for eczema and users run the risk of worsening inflammation that isn’t controlled, leading to more severe symptoms.  

Based on the lack of research, beef tallow may be better thought of as a supportive, nourishing complement to your skincare routine, not as a replacement for traditional effective treatments. 

Potential risks and considerations

While not a treatment for eczema, beef tallow is generally safe and well-tolerated. Still, when you have sensitive skin, you want to approach any new products with caution. 

These are a few factors to keep in mind if you’re considering using beef tallow: 

• Sensitivity: Some people with highly sensitive or acne-prone skin might find tallow too rich, leading to clogged pores or breakouts.
• Allergies: While rare, if you have a beef allergy (or alpha-gal allergy), beef tallow products are not safe for you.
• Sourcing: Conventionally raised beef tallow might contain residues from antibiotics, hormones, or pesticides. Always opt for grass-fed and responsibly sourced tallow to minimize exposure to unwanted chemicals.
• Open wounds: It’s common for those with eczema to have open wounds or sores on their skin from scratching. “It’s critical you don’t apply beef tallow there. Tallow creates an occlusive barrier on the skin, so it can trap in bacteria or irritants and lead to infection,” says Esmaeaili.

Before applying to large areas of your body, it’s always a good idea to try a patch test. “Put a thin layer of the product on a small area of skin once or twice a day for a week. If you’re not having any irritation or negative reaction, it's probably okay for your skin,” says Esmaeaili. 

When to consult a dermatologist

While natural remedies like beef tallow have the potential to be helpful to skin barrier repair, more research is needed before endorsing this treatment. In the meantime, it’s important to know when other interventions are needed. 

Reach out to a dermatology provider if:

• Your eczema isn’t improving with a consistent moisturizing routine and over the counter treatments.
• You notice worsening redness, pain, or signs of infection (like oozing or crusting).
• Your eczema covers large portions of your body or significantly impacts your quality of life.

Incorporating alternative treatments into your care plan should be a collaborative conversation with your provider, so if you’d like to consider natural approaches like beef tallow, be sure to communicate that with your dermatologist. 

The bottom line about beef tallow for Eczema?

Beef tallow is packed with essential fatty acids and vitamins that make it a potentially promising natural remedy, but research is needed to support its use. Plus, no single treatment works for everyone. At the end of the day, managing a chronic condition like eczema is all about listening to your skin, choosing high-quality products, and consulting with a professional for personalized, evidence-based care.