Once reserved for deep-frying potatoes in the 1960s, beef tallow (a rendered animal fat made from the fatty tissue of cattle, particularly around the internal organs) has found its way back into everyday life, thanks in part to some high-profile supporters. In March, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. declared war on seed oils, urging US food businesses to switch to tallow for all their frying needs.
Then came model and influencer Nara Smith, who spotlighted its beauty potential by using it as the star ingredient in her homemade facial moisturiser. Her video amassed millions of views overnight, sparking a wave of skinfluencers extolling tallow’s supposed hydrating, acne-fighting and barrier-strengthening benefits. As a result, searches for “beef tallow for skin” have skyrocketed, with online interest increasing by 326% year-on-year and over 111,000 monthly searches recorded in August 2025, according to search data analysed by Fresha.
