Experts have warned of the negative health impacts of using the unusual skincare product, from blocking pores to triggering breakouts
Indulging in a skincare routine can add an element of luxury to your daily regime, and what products you select usually depends on the results you want, like anti-ageing, boosting brightness, or enhancing hydration. One crucial step that should feature in everyone’s skincare routine is moisturising, crucial for maintaining soft and supple skin, particularly vital during winter’s harsh climes.
But experts have signalled a warning about one trend taking the internet by storm that people may want to avoid to steer clear of breakouts and irritation in the chilly season. The craze sees people smearing beef fat on their faces, aiming to achieve a radiant and moisturised glow, reports the Express.
However, Lesley Reynolds, skincare guru and co-founder at Harley Street Skin Clinic, has warned that it could end up doing more harm than good. She said: “Beef tallow is loaded with fatty acids such as stearic and oleic acid.
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“These work by nourishing and moisturising your skin and quite often, you’ll find these ingredients on the back of some of your skin care products. So some would argue that there are benefits to this method.”
But for those keen to sidestep acne, using beef tallow as a regular part of your beauty routine may not be very effective. Lesley cautioned: “While it does contain moisturising factors, there are actually many downsides to using beef tallow as an everyday skin care product.
“Unlike your regular moisturiser, beef tallow is heavy and can block pores by trapping moisture, bacteria and dirt, which can lead to blackheads and sebaceous filaments.
“This can be triggered further if you’re someone with sensitive skin. The use of beef tallow can cause breakouts and irritation, and this is due to the fact that it’s an unrefined animal product.
“This means that it hasn’t gone through the necessary processes to remove impurities that may damage your skin. Therefore, I do not recommend using this as a means to combat acne.”
However, for those keen on sticking to natural skincare, experts suggest alternatives. Lesley said: “I recommend ingredients such as shea butter, jojoba oil or ceramides.
“These are scientifically approved ingredients that are designed to give your skin the moisture it needs without triggering a breakout.
“Making them a much safer and more reliable alternative to beef tallow.”
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