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• A new TikTok trend has people spreading beef tallow on their skin.
• Purported benefits include added moisture and less acne.
• Experts say it could have the opposite effect if you have oily skin.
• However, it might be helpful for those with very dry skin or eczema.

TikTok has spawned many skin care trends over the years. However, not all of them are beneficial for your skin.

For example, some, like the Morning Shed, advocate for an intensive nighttime beauty regimen involving multiple products, which can actually irritate your skin and do more harm than good.

So, what about the beef tallow trend that’s currently making the rounds?

Other than sounding a bit gross, is it actually good for your skin health? Healthline consulted with two dermatologists to find out.

What is the beef tallow TikTok trend?

Healthline spoke with Dr. Hannah Kopelman, a dermatologist at Kopelman Aesthetic Surgery, who explained what beef tallow is and why people on TikTok are incorporating it into their skin care routine.

According to Kopelman, followers of the trend are promoting the idea of using rendered animal fat, especially beef tallow, directly on the skin as a moisturizer or treatment for skin conditions such as acne.

Rendering is a process in which moisture is removed from raw animal fat through evaporation. The goal of rendering is to make it shelf-stable so it can be used in cooking or as an ingredient in soap, candles, or even skincare products.

“Followers are even visiting butcher shops to source unprocessed tallow,” she explained, “claiming it’s a ‘natural’ and ‘ancestral’ remedy for healthier skin.”

Kopelman added that TikTok videos often highlight its heavy, balm-like consistency as well as its similarity to our skin’s natural oils.

Why people think using beef tallow is good for their skin

“Many advocates of this trend believe that beef tallow is rich in nutrients like vitamins A, D, E, and K, which are beneficial for skin health,” said Kopelman.

Additionally, they point to the fact that it closely resembles sebum, our skin’s natural oil. This supports the idea that it will replenish moisture, protect the skin’s barrier function, and reduce inflammation.

Kopelman further notes that the beef tallow trend is tied to the growing popularity of “ancestral” or “primal” wellness practices.

These practices put an emphasis on natural, unprocessed ingredients as well as a return to older methods of self-care.

“Influencers are framing tallow as a safer, more natural alternative to synthetic skin care products, which resonates with many people looking to simplify their routines,” she said.

Are there risks to using beef tallow on your skin?

Dr. Anil Sharma, a dermatologist with Sharma Skin & Hair Surgery, suggests proceeding with caution if you are considering using beef tallow, as it can pose risks.

“While TikTok creators may be recommending [beef] tallow as a ‘natural’ remedy, it’s important to understand that it could cause more harm than good,” he said.

First of all, it’s highly comedogenic, which means it could clog your pores and make your acne even worse.

Sharma added that some studies have found that it can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.

Also, rather than helping your skin barrier, it may actually do the opposite due to its high oleic acid content.

“When this happens, moisture escapes from your skin more easily,” said Sharma, “which can lead to dryness and irritation and an increased likelihood of other substances penetrating deeper into your skin, some of which could cause further irritation.”

Potential benefits of using beef tallow on your skin

Sharma said that using beef tallow on your skin could be beneficial in some specific cases.

“Due to its make-up, beef tallow closely mimics the skin’s natural oils,” said Sharma. “Its natural and lipid-rich composition can make it an effective moisturizer and healing agent for those with eczema-prone or extremely dry skin.”

Tallow’s essential fatty acids and antioxidants can also be helpful with inflammation, he said.

“If you have eczema-prone or extremely dry skin and are curious to try this trend, I recommend starting with a small amount — a penny-sized portion — applied to both elbows and knees after your evening shower.”

If your hands are also dry, you can apply the same amount to them and wear cotton gloves to hold in the moisture.

Sharma said that you can go up to two penny-sized portions if one isn’t enough, but don’t go higher than this since it could lead to clogged pores.

“This should only be done once or twice a week,” he added. “Tallow is extremely oily and isn’t good for everyday use.”

In the morning, gently wash off the tallow before beginning your usual skin care routine.

Takeaway

People on TikTok are advising using beef tallow to care for your skin.

Some of the purported benefits are improved moisture and decreased acne.

Dermatologists say it could have the opposite effect, causing moisture loss and clogged pores.

However, it may be good for those with very dry skin or eczema since it mimics your skin’s natural oil.

If you decide to try out this trend, proceed with caution and use no more than a couple of penny-sized portions.

• New research found that vegetarians who ate plant-based meat alternatives had a 42% higher risk of depression as well as signs of greater inflammation.
• Plant-based meat alternatives are processed foods such as tofu, tempeh, meatless chicken, burgers, and bacon.
• Overall, eating plant-based meat alternatives didn’t have any extra health risks for vegetarians.

As concern over the environmental impacts of meat consumption grows, more consumers are switching to plant-based meat alternatives.

These processed foods, which can be based on soy, almonds, other nuts, or even fungi, offer convenient and tasty ways to add protein to your diet without relying on beef, chicken, or other meat sources.

Like other processed foods, some plant-based meat alternatives contain high amounts of sodium or other less-than-healthy ingredients, although the exact amount varies depending on how the products are manufactured.

Research on the health-related benefits and risks of plant-based meat alternatives has been limited, but a new study, published December 16 in Food Frontiers, aimed to change that.

The findings showed that eating plant-based meat alternatives didn’t have any extra health risks — or benefits — compared to not eating those processed foods.

However, the researchers observed that vegetarians who consumed plant-based meat alternatives had a 42% higher risk of depression as well as signs of greater inflammation compared to those who stuck to traditional vegetarian protein sources.

“The overall findings are reassuring, suggesting that plant-based meat alternatives may be a safe option when they are part of an overall balanced diet,” said study author Nophar Geifman, PhD, a professor of health and biomedical informatics at the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom, said in a news release. 

“However, the potential link between these types of food, inflammation and depression warrants further investigation,” Geifman noted.

Health risks of plant-based meat alternatives

The new study compared the health of vegetarians who reported consuming plant-based meat alternatives to those who didn’t.

Plant-based meat alternatives range from lightly processed to highly processed and include:

• tofu, made from soy beans
• tempeh, made from fermented soy beans
• seitan, which is basically wheat gluten
• vegetarian burgers made from beans, nuts or other protein sources
• vegetarian bacon, hot dogs, chicken nuggets, or fish sticks made from pea protein, soy protein, textured vegetable protein, or wheat gluten

The cohort included over 3,300 vegetarians — including vegans — who were participating in the larger UK Biobank study.

Researchers confirmed that people were vegetarians using a 24-hour dietary recall questionnaire, which everyone completed at least two of.

Vegetarians who reported occasionally eating meat were excluded from the study, but those who ate fish were included. At the start of the study, people with diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, or vascular or heart problems were also excluded.

Based on the dietary surveys, researchers divided participants into two groups — those who ate plant-based meat alternatives and those who didn’t.

The researchers pointed out that although non-consumers didn’t eat these processed foods during the 24-hour dietary recall, they may have eaten them at other times.

Traditional plant-based diets include natural whole fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts and seeds. This kind of diet offers heart-related and other health benefits compared to diets that include meat.

In the new study, researchers followed people for an average of 14 years and measured a number of different biomarkers used to monitor a person’s health or risk of disease. They also obtained hospital data on whether participants were treated for certain chronic health conditions.

Amy Kimberlain, a registered dietitian and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Spokesperson, pointed out that the study has some limitations. First, most participants were white, and the majority were female, so the results may not apply to other groups.

In addition, data on people’s diets were gathered mainly at the beginning of the study rather than throughout. So researchers wouldn’t know if a person’s diet has shifted since the start.

“There are a few variables to consider when we do nutrition research, which can make it more of a challenge,” Kimberlain told Healthline. “Humans are complex, and food is complex, making it a challenge to study, yet it’s essential.”

Possible link to depression and inflammation

Although the overall intake of calories, protein, total fat, and carbohydrates differed between vegetarians who ate plant-based meat alternatives and those who didn’t, both groups still fell within United Kingdom dietary guidelines for these nutrients.

Researchers also found no substantial differences in the intake of sodium, sugars, or saturated fatty acids between the two groups.

However, people who ate plant-based meat alternatives had a 42% higher risk of depression compared to those who didn’t eat these foods.

This aligns with a 2023 study, which found that people who consumed higher amounts of ultra-processed foods had an increased risk of depression. In that research, the link was strongest for consumption of artificial sweeteners and artificially sweetened beverages.

In addition, the authors of the new study found that people who ate plant-based meat alternatives had slightly higher blood pressure levels, higher C-reactive protein (CRP) levels — a measure of inflammation — and lower levels of apolipoprotein A, a protein associated with HDL (“good”) cholesterol.

Researchers wrote in the paper that despite these changes, eating plant-based meat alternatives did not significantly increase a person’s heart-related risks.

This contrasts with a study published in August 2024 that found that high consumption of ultra-processed plant-based foods may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

The new study also showed that eating plant-based meat alternatives was linked to a 40% lower risk of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) compared to those who didn’t eat these foods.

Emphasizes whole food, plant-based proteins

“The overall message [of this study] is that plant-based meat alternatives might be a convenient way to help someone transition to a vegetarian diet,” said Kimberlain.

“However, they should be included within an overall balanced diet, not the sole source of plant protein consumption.”

In general, she recommends that someone transitioning to a vegetarian diet focus on having an overall balanced diet that is rich in whole, minimally processed plant foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans, tofu, and whole grains.

“This will support overall health and help reduce the risk of many different health conditions,” she said.

Kimberlain offered a few suggestions for adding whole plant-based proteins to your diet:

• Stick to familiar flavors. “If you like tuna sandwiches, try making a ‘chickpea’ sandwich with the same seasonings/spices,” she said. “If you like Taco Tuesday, make tacos a part of the mix, but maybe give a butternut squash black bean taco a go.”
• Add beans to soups, salads or a grain bowls.
• Snack on peanuts or nuts, or add peanut or nut butter to a slice of toast in the morning.
• Add sunflower, pumpkin, or other seeds to oatmeal, salad, or soups.
• Use tofu, tempeh or edamame — all from soy beans — to stir fries or grain bowls.

“When removing animal protein, it might seem like a challenge to incorporate ‘meatless’ meals,” said Kimberlain. “The key is to think of different ways to add plant protein and make the meals and snacks interesting and flavorful.”

“The goal isn’t only to use plant-based meat alternatives, but to find ways to incorporate whole forms of plant proteins as much as possible,” she said.

Takeaway

Researchers examined health outcomes for over 3,300 vegetarians by comparing those who consumed plant-based meat alternatives to those who didn’t eat these processed foods.

Vegetarians who ate plant-based meat alternatives had a higher risk of depression, increased inflammation, slightly higher blood pressure, and lower levels of a protein associated with HDL (“good”) cholesterol.

In spite of these changes, the researchers wrote that, in general, eating plant-based meat alternatives did not have any extra health risks for vegetarians, although they called for additional research on the possible links to depression and inflammation.

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• The holidays can be a time of excess, which can wreak havoc on your health.
• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle during the holidays is possible.
• Experts debunk 6 common health myths regarding holiday habits.

Parties, outings, dinners, brunches, and lunches. While the holiday season is packed with fun, it can also cause stress as you try to maintain a healthy lifestyle while engaging in festivities.

“The holidays are such an amazing and special time of year. But we also know this season can be a very chaotic and stressful time. We have a tendency to make poorer food choices and make less time for physical activity during these times,” Daniel Hermann, MD, a cardiologist at Memorial Hermann in Houston, told Healthline.

A 2023 survey from the American Heart Association found that the holidays are more stressful than taxes, and more than three-quarters of the people surveyed agree that they overlooked their health needs during the holidays.

“[It] is very challenging to stay heart healthy during the holidays given the distractions from an abundance of high-caloric, high sodium, and high fat foods along with increased consumption of alcohol at social gatherings,” Laxmi Mehta, MD, a noninvasive cardiologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical, told Healthline. “Also, relaxed schedules and travel results in a disruption of exercise routines.”

Add in the pressures of social gatherings and gift-giving, and prioritizing health comes last.

To help you navigate making healthy choices, experts debunk the most common myths about eating healthy and keeping stress-free during the holidays.

Myth: Stress is unavoidable during the holiday season

Even though the season feels fast-paced and hectic, taking a few minutes to relax and recharge is possible.

First, prioritize sleep by aiming for 7 to 9 hours. Second, continue to practice what makes you feel relaxed, whether it’s daily walks, reading, or watching a movie.

“Practicing relaxation techniques, like deep breathing, yoga, or meditation, is helpful too,” said Mehta. “And equally important is to set boundaries by not saying yes to everything and make realistic plans on what they can truly accomplish without being overwhelmed.”

Myth: Skipping meals saves calories

As tempting as it is to skip meals to “save your calories” for later, there are mixed messages on the benefits of doing so.

Some research shows that skipping meals may have positive effects on blood sugar and bad cholesterol, while other evidence reports that doing so may make you hungrier and lead to overeating.

One study found that meal skipping is associated with a higher mortality risk.

In general, Hermann said it is best to follow a heart healthy diet and lifestyle that you can make a habit and maintain. “Fad diets are, as a general rule, not maintained for the long term.”

Myth: Watching sodium intake is not important

Eating excess sodium increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart failure, enlargement of the heart, and heart attack, said Mehta.

While sodium is ubiquitous in the American diet, Hermann said that when too much is consumed, it leads to fluid retention, which increases blood pressure and puts stress on the heart and other critical internal organs.

Below are the top 10 food sources of sodium in the American diet, according to the American Heart Association:

• Breads/rolls
• Pizza
• Sandwiches
• Cold cuts, lunch, and cured meats
• Soups
• Burritos/tacos
• Snacks like chips, crackers, pretzels, popcorn, and snack mixes
• Poultry
• Cheese
• Egg dishes/omelets

In addition to limiting the above foods and putting down the salt shaker, try eating fresh fruit and vegetables and reading labels for sodium content.

Myth: It’s OK to skip exercise during the holidays

Finding time to exercise during the holidays can be hard. In fact, nearly 45% of people report taking a break from exercise, and more than half report feeling tired and having less time for themselves.

“Exercise can help take your mind off food and also offset some of the excess calories consumed during the holidays…and can also help relieve stress too,” said Mehta.

Try to keep up with the same exercise schedule you follow year-round but be flexible and get creative if a holiday event throws you off track. Consider walking to a restaurant or friend’s house who is hosting a party or suggest a group bike ride rather than holiday brunch.

Remember that while exercising is good for the heart, it cannot completely offset unhealthy eating, noted Mehta.

Myth: Consuming extra alcoholic beverages during the holidays is OK

Sales for alcohol are highest in December. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s monthly retail sales survey for December 2022, sales for alcohol were 37% above the average for the other 11 months of the year. 

With an abundance of alcohol surrounding the holidays, it’s easy to indulge. In small or modest amounts, Hermann said alcohol has some theoretical cardiovascular benefits. However, keep in mind alcoholic beverages are high in calories, sugar, and salt.

Additionally, the World Health Organization released a statement in 2022 that said when it comes to alcohol consumption, there is no safe amount that does not affect health.

“[In] excess, it is clearly toxic. It’s linked with heart disease, hypertension, cardiomyopathy, and obesity,” he said.

If avoiding alcohol altogether isn’t your plan, try limiting your consumption to one glass at parties and then switching to sparkling water or another low calorie, alcohol-free beverage.

Myth: You can catch up on sleep after the holidays

Sleep is the most underrated aspect of health because, during sleep, the body resets and repairs itself, said Hermann. Not getting enough quality sleep regularly raises the risk of diseases such as heart disease, stroke, obesity, and dementia.

“Not getting enough sleep increases our stress levels and impacts our decision making skills, and so it is harder for people to make healthy lifestyle choices,” said Mehta. “Prolonged periods of inadequate sleep can cause heart disease risk factors like high blood pressure, significant weight gain, and diabetes.”

To get more sleep, the National Institutes of Health recommends the following.

• Go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day of the week.
• Exercise daily but not too close to your bedtime.
• Get natural sunlight for at least 30 minutes every day.
• Cut back on nicotine and caffeine.
• Only take short naps and avoid taking them in the afternoon or later.
• Don’t drink alcohol and big meals before bedtime, which can prevent deep, restorative sleep.
• Instead of using screens before bed, relax by reading a book or listening to calming music.
• Keep your bedroom cool, quiet, and dark.
• If you can’t fall asleep after 20 minutes in bed, get up and engage in a relaxing activity until you feel sleepy.

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