The Science Behind Grass-Fed Tallow: Why Your Skin Loves It

Why Is Grass-Fed Tallow So Good for Your Skin? Let’s Get into the Science.

If you've been hearing more about tallow skincare lately, it’s for good reason. This old-world ingredient is having a major moment in the holistic skincare world, and science is finally catching up.

At Betsy Botanicals, our hero ingredient is 100% grass-fed, grass-finished tallow, and we chose it for one simple reason: it works.

But what makes it so effective? Let's break it down.

What Is Grass-Fed Tallow, Exactly?

Tallow is rendered beef fat, more specifically, the hard fat from around the kidneys and organs (also known as suet). When it comes from grass-fed, pasture-raised animals, the fat is cleaner, richer in nutrients, and significantly more beneficial to the skin than conventional tallow or seed-based oils.

This type of fat is naturally stable (no preservatives needed), and when rendered properly, it becomes a creamy, nourishing balm packed with bioavailable vitamins and skin-healing lipids.

Nutrient Profile: What’s Inside Grass-Fed Tallow?

• Vitamin A – Boosts collagen, supports skin cell turnover, and improves tone and texture
• Vitamin D – Helps calm inflammation and promotes healing
• Vitamin E – A powerful antioxidant that defends against free radicals
• Vitamin K – Aids in skin elasticity and healing from scarring or bruising
• Stearic & Oleic Acid – Strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier and support smoother texture
• Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) – Known for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects

These nutrients are fat-soluble, which means they’re delivered in a form that your skin can absorb and actually use. That’s a major advantage over many lab-made ingredients that sit on the surface or require extra processing by the body.

Bioavailable = Better

One of the key reasons tallow performs so well in skincare? It’s biologically similar to human sebum, the natural oils your skin produces.

That means your skin recognizes it, absorbs it, and uses it more efficiently than plant oils or synthetic creams. Instead of just coating your skin, it nourishes it from within.

What the Research Says

Recent studies have shown that:

• Topical vitamin A (found naturally in tallow) can improve acne, fine lines, and cell turnover

• Stearic acid and oleic acid (two primary fatty acids in tallow) significantly improve skin hydration and elasticity

• CLA reduces inflammatory markers on the skin, making it ideal for sensitive or eczema-prone skin

While there’s limited direct research on tallow as a skincare ingredient, the individual components of grass-fed tallow are widely studied and backed by decades of dermatological research.

Why We Choose Grass-Fed (and Only Grass-Fed)

Tallow from grain-fed, conventionally raised animals simply doesn’t have the same nutrient profile. Grass-fed tallow contains up to 5x more CLA and fat-soluble vitamins, and it’s free from the hormones, antibiotics, and toxins often found in factory-farmed sources.

When it comes to something you’re putting on your face—every single day—you want it to be clean, effective, and safe.

How We Use It at Betsy Botanicals

Every one of our Whipped Tallow Balms starts with 100% grass-fed, grass-finished tallow sourced from regenerative farms. Then, we slow-infuse organic herbs like calendula, marshmallow root, and frankincense to amplify the healing benefits.

No fluff. No filler. Just bioavailable, botanical nourishment that your skin will crave.

Want to Try the Balm Your Skin Will Recognize Instantly?

Explore the Whipped Tallow Face Balm Here