Tallow

Tallow is the fat of a cow and has occlusive properties, like petrolatum. It is rich in fatty acids like oleic, palmitic, stearic, and linoleic.

Fatty acids are moisturizing ingredients that can help hydrate your skin - they are not the same as exfoliating acids such as AHAs or BHA.

While there are reports that tallow can disrupt your skin barrier, we cannot find sufficient proof of this.

Since tallow is an occlusive, it cannot be used alone as a moisturizer. Occlusives sit on top of skin and lock in the hydration that’s already there (from other ingredients). So using tallow alone will cause skin to dry out.

Due to the high fatty acid content, this ingredient may cause breakouts.