The Scientific Truth about Tallow

In our quest for glowing, healthy skin, it seems that Mother Nature knew a thing or two all along. Modern research has confirmed the age-old wisdom of using tallow for skincare, and the science behind it is truly fascinating. Let's dive into the marvelous world of tallow and its remarkable compatibility with our skin biology.

The Fats that Fuel Skin Health

Our skin's well-being is closely tied to its cellular composition. You see, our cell membranes are primarily made up of fatty acids, forming a vital double-layer structure. These fats aren't just any fats; they're saturated fats, making up a significant 50 percent of the cell membrane. Why is this important? Well, saturated fats, being more solid at certain temperatures, provide the necessary stiffness and integrity for our cells to function correctly (23).

Now, here's where tallow comes into play. Tallow fat typically consists of 50 to 55 percent saturated fats, mirroring the composition of our cell membranes. But that's not all—almost all of the remaining fats in tallow are monounsaturated (24). Picture this: healthy skin cells enriched with a perfect blend of saturated and monounsaturated fats, ready to shine.

Tallow: Nature's Skin Twin

Tallow isn't just compatible with our skin biology; it's practically a doppelganger for sebum, the natural oily substance that keeps our skin lubricated and waterproofed. In fact, "sebum" literally means "tallow" in Latin, and it was adopted in the biological context around 1700. Sebaceous glands, responsible for producing sebum, are most abundant on our face and scalp but are distributed throughout our skin (except on the palms and soles) (25).

Sebum is made up of roughly 57 percent fatty acids, with approximately 44 percent being saturated (27). Interestingly, tallow's lipid composition primarily consists of triglycerides, the same configuration that fatty acids typically take in nature.

A Perfect Match for Our Skin When it comes to tallow, it's not just about compatibility; it's about providing the nutrients our skin craves. Unlike plant products, tallow contains essential fat-soluble vitamins A, D, K, and vitamin E—all pivotal for both general and skin health.

But that's not all; tallow boasts fats like conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), known for its anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties (29), and palmitoleic acid, a natural antimicrobial agent (30). Dr. Mary Enig's research highlights a 2006 study on fats showing that CLA, found in abundance in tallow, has potent anti-cancer effects. What's more, tallow's palmitic acid enhances these effects, underscoring the extraordinary benefits of this remarkable substance (31).

So, dear friends, as we embrace the wonders of tallow for skincare, let's remember that nature often holds the most profound secrets to our well-being. With tallow by your side, your journey to radiant, healthy skin takes a delightful and scientifically-backed turn. Here's to the beauty that's both timeless and cutting-edge!

References:

23. Fallon, Sally, Enig, Mary G., PhD (2001). Nourishing Traditions. NewTrends Publishing, Inc., Washington: 11.

24. Fallon: 18.

25. James, William D.; Berger, Timothy; Elston, Dirk M. (2006). Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. Saunders Elsevier: 7.

26. Thody, A. J.; Shuster, S. (1989). "Control and Function of Sebaceous Glands". Physiological Reviews. 69 (2): 383–416.

27. Barbara Boughton, Ph.D., Victor R. Wheatley, Ph.D. (August 1959). "The Fatty Acid Composition of the Skin Surface Fat ('Sebum') of Normal Human Subjects", Journal of Investigative Dermatology, Volume 33, Issue 2

28. Cheng JB, Russell DW (September 2004). "Mammalian Wax Biosynthesis: II. Expression Cloning of Wax Synthase cDNAs Encoding a Member of the Acyltransferase Enzyme Family"

29. Ip, C, J.A. Scimeca, et al. (1994). "Conjugated linoleic acid. A powerful anti-carcinogen from animal fat sources." Cancer 74(3 suppl):1050-4.

30. Fallon: 19.

31. Enig, Mary G., PhD (Winter 2007). Wise Traditions in Food, Farming and the Healing Arts. "Some Recent Studies on Fats".