Beef Tallow Fatty Acid Composition: The Essential Role of EFAs

When it comes to skincare, terms like AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids) and BHAs (beta-hydroxy acids) are well-known. But what about EFAs—essential fatty acids? If you’re not incorporating these fatty acids into your skincare routine, your skin is missing out on natural nourishment it truly needs.

While AHAs and BHAs, like glycolic and lactic acids, are popular for their exfoliating properties to reduce the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles, they can often lead to over-exfoliation too easily. According to dermatologists, over-exfoliation with harsh acids is all too common. In high concentrations, which widely varies based on individual tolerance, they may disrupt the skin barrier function and cause irritation.

Essential fatty acids, on the other hand, restore your skin’s barrier gently and effectively. Fatty acids, found naturally in the skin, are biocompatible, skin-identical, and work harmoniously to repair your skin barrier.

For naturally glowing, hydrated skin, you need fatty acids—and there’s no better source than our tallow infused skincare from Cowbelle Skincare, rich in EFAs.

What is Tallow?

Tallow is animal fat derived from beef. Specifically, grass-fed beef tallow is prized for its beneficial composition, which includes omega-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). Dating back centuries, tallow was the original non-toxic moisturizer, used by ancient civilizations as a natural way to protect and hydrate their skin.

When sourced responsibly, tallow is not only a sustainable by-product of agriculture but also a deeply nourishing ingredient for skincare. Its structure closely mimics human sebum, making it ideal for repairing and supporting the skin’s natural lipid barrier.

Is tallow good for skin care?

Tallow is unique in its properties that it is BOTH an occlusive and an emollient, locking in hydration while softening the skin.

Compared to other occlusives, such as silicons, sterols and petrolatum, grass fed and grass finished tallow is better for your skin. Total fatty acids in beef tallow provide essential nutrients that help maintain skin health and hydration.

There are similar ingredients that are recommended to help with other people’s skin conditions such as cupiacu butter, shea butter and mango butter, which are also high in saturated fat. However, beef tallow is superior based on its specific fatty acid composition which is balanced in a way that better benefits the skin, in terms of polyunsaturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acid and saturated fatty acid.

Tallow vs. Plant-Based Oils

While plant-based oils like jojoba or rosehip can provide some benefits, they are often highly processed and more susceptible to oxidation. Tallow’s unique composition mirrors human sebum more closely, allowing it to absorb deeply and provide cellular-level restoration.

In fact, the word tallow itself is rooted in Latin, where it essentially translates to sebum. By mimicking the skin’s natural oils, tallow helps maintain structural integrity, supports collagen production, and improves overall skin health.

Why Tallow Is the Perfect Natural Skincare Solution

The specific structural and nutritional makeup of tallow makes it one of nature’s most bioavailable moisturisers. It helps protect skin and absorbs deeply. That’s largely because of fatty acids are found abundantly within tallow, retaining their benefits when tallow is formulated correctly into skincare. Packed full of actives, there’s simply no need to add any synthetic additives when using tallow skincare.

Beef fat, particularly from grass-fed cattle, contains beneficial omega-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which contribute to its health benefits.

Grass fed beef tallow is uniquely low in unsaturated fatty acids. It contains a very minimal amount of monounsaturated fatty acids, and an even lower amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Most of the carrier oils used in skincare are high in unsaturated fatty acids, which means they are already oxidised when you put them on your skin. They are much more sensitive to heat, light and air degradation. This means the skin benefits are immediately compromised.

Oleic Acid (47%):

Deeply penetrates the skin to hydrate & replenishes needed essential fatty acids & lipids. Balances natural oil production to reduce breakouts. Forms a protective barrier against environmental damage.

• Around 47% of the fatty acid composition of tallow is oleic acid. Oleic acid, with its high levels of monounsaturated fatty acid (MOFA), is among the more stable fatty acids in skin care. It has a unique ability to preserve the effectiveness of more delicate ingredients such as antioxidants by helping to protect them from light and oxygen degradation.
• Oleic acid has everything you need to see amazing results when applied topically. With high levels of monounsaturated fatty acids, it's more shelf stable than other ingredients that are higher in polyunsaturated fatty acids. Oleic acid has the ability to penetrate the skin's surface easily and deeply. Inside the skin dermis, oleic acid works to replenish lost moisture and stop additional transepidermal water loss. 
• Concerned about clogged pores? Oleic acid can bring natural oil production back into balance to prevent future breakouts. Most importantly, it doesn't really clog pores but instead forms a protective layer on the skin's surface that prevents environmental damage.
• It’s important to note that tallow products need to be formulated with expertise as a formulation that is too high in Oleic Acid can cause skin barrier disruption. This is why we do not use Olive Oil in our tallow products as a carrier oil. Olive Oil is 97% Oleic Acid and that would make our tallow products too high in oleic acid (which can lead to skin barrier disruption & increase levels of transepidermal water loss or TEWL)

Palmitic Acid (26%):

Softens and protects the skin. Strengthens the skin barrier to keep pollutants and irritants out.

• Breaking down the fatty acids further, around 26% of the fatty acid composition contained in tallow is palmitic acid. This saturated fatty acid is widely used in skincare, often added after the fact. It's best when found in moisturisers and balms because it has a skin softening effect.
• Palmitic acid retains moisture by forming an occlusive layer. As a saturated fatty acid, it helps improve and protect your skin's barrier. In doing so, palmitic acid prevents unwanted microbes and pollutants from entering.

Stearic Acid (12%):

Provides emollient properties to keep skin soft and hydrated. Repairs damaged skin and improves elasticity.

• Another standout saturated fatty acid in tallow is stearic acid. Found across cosmetics and other skincare products, stearic acid has a double function, as a natural surfactant and emulsifier. It’s essentially a clever binding agent, where it helps stabilise and thicken formulas.
• Stearic acid has emollient properties to keep the skin soft and moist while locking in hydration. Stearic acid also helps to repair damaged skin, as well as improve skin’s flexibility and suppleness.

Conjugated Linoleic Acid (2-5%):

Known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties. Supports skin barrier repair and balances skin hydration.

• Tallow also contains conjugated linoleic acid at levels between 2-5%, which is often referred to as one of the essential fatty acids. While this is an unsaturated fatty acid, conjugated linoleic acid is an omega-5 fatty acid with a growing body of research pointing to its stability and positive impact on skin. Unlike other unsaturated fatty acids, the evidence points to plenty of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial properties, ferried in a ‘safe’ environment where the ingredient remains stable.
• In a 2021 study, it was determined that conjugated linoleic acid could dramatically relieve eczema-like skin lesions, dermatitis and skin inflammation as evidenced by a reduction in inflammatory blood cells. Plus, topical application with conjugated linoleic acid modulated skin barrier repair, helping maintain a balanced skin pH and increasing skin hydration.
• Outside of tallow, conjugated linoleic acid is otherwise one of those essential fatty acids that is difficult to find in nature, at least not in stable ingredients. By stable, we mean shelf-stable, where the ingredient isn’t as prone to oxidation when exposed to light, heat or oxygen.

Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) without synthetic skincare

Tallow is naturally high in saturated fatty acids, which are more stable and less prone to oxidation compared to the polyunsaturated fatty acids found in most plant oils. This stability ensures that our products maintain their effectiveness without the need for synthetic additives.

At Cowbelle, we’re all about getting the extra out of skincare without putting in anything unnecessarily extra. No synthetic ingredients or harsh chemicals whatsoever. You get all the essentials – essential fatty acids, ceramides, & lipids to heal your skin – without anything being added after the fact.

Key Benefits of Tallow in Skincare:

• Repairs and strengthens the skin barrier.
• Locks in moisture to combat dryness.
• Provides natural anti-inflammatory properties to soothe irritation.
• Protects against environmental stressors.

A Dry and Sensitive Skin Dream

Many of our customers turn to Cowbelle Skincare’s tallow-infused skincare as a last resort for managing chronic skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea, psoriasis and extreme dryness. Thanks to the combination of oleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, and CLA, our products wrap the skin in moisture, helping to speed up healing and regeneration naturally.

Discover the Power of Tallow Skincare Today

At Cowbelle Skincare, we believe in the power of nature to heal and nourish your skin. Our tallow-based balms are formulated to be biocompatible, offering all the benefits of natural skincare without unnecessary additives. With a perfectly balanced fatty acid profile, our products work harmoniously with your skin to restore hydration, protect against damage, and promote long-term skin health.

Ready to transform your skin? Explore our range of tallow skincare solutions today and experience the difference of natural, non-toxic skincare that truly works HERE