Beef Tallow for Skin: The Viral TikTok Recipe by Nara Smith
Beef tallow has emerged as one of the most talked-about DIY skincare trends online, largely thanks to Nara Smith. Since she debuted her homemade beef tallow moisturizer recipe on TikTok in May 2024, the video has garnered millions of views, igniting a surge of interest in rendered animal fat as a skincare ingredient.
With this spotlight on beef fat, let’s delve into what beef tallow is, explore Smith’s viral TikTok recipe, and hear what dermatologists think about this trend.
What Is Beef Tallow for Skin?
Beef tallow for skin is the rendered fat from cows — particularly the suet found around the kidneys and other organs, according to UT MD Anderson. It has gained popularity as a DIY moisturizer ingredient on social media.
A 2024 scoping review in Cureus found that “tallow is rich in triglycerides, including oleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, and linoleic acid, thus contributing to its diverse industrial applications.” The review also pointed out that beef tallow contains essential vitamins such as vitamins A, D, K, E, and B12.
The skincare allure boils down to chemistry. Dr. Michele Green, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist in New York City, noted in GQ in May 2026 that beef tallow’s “fatty acids closely resemble the natural oils in the skin, enabling it to effectively restore moisture.”
Does Nara Smith Have a Homemade Moisturizer Recipe?
Smith, the social media influencer known for her ASMR-style cooking videos, has helped to elevate beef tallow in the beauty dialogue. She often goes viral for her DIY recipes, and her homemade beef tallow moisturizer — first shared on Nara Smith’s TikTok in May 2024 — is a prime illustration.
The video features her husband, model Lucky Blue Smith, mixing the moisturizer in their kitchen after running out of his usual product. “This morning, my husband ran out of the moisturizer he typically uses and didn’t like it enough to buy it again, so he decided to create his own,” Nara explains at the start of the video.
How Do You Make Nara Smith’s Beef Tallow Moisturizer at Home?
Nara’s beef tallow moisturizer includes beef tallow, beeswax, squalene, jojoba oil, vitamin E oil, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin — all melted together over a double boiler and mixed in stages before being chilled in the fridge to set.
You can find the complete method in her viral homemade moisturizer recipe on TikTok. Here’s how she described the steps in the video:
- Combine beef tallow and beeswax in a metal bowl
- Set the bowl over a pot of boiling water
- Once melted, remove the bowl from the heat
- In a separate bowl, mix squalene and jojoba oil
- Combine the squalene and jojoba oil into the tallow and beeswax mixture
- Add vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin one at a time, mixing well after each addition
- The mixture should begin to thicken
- Transfer the moisturizer into a lidded cup of your choice
- Refrigerate to set
Smith mentioned that they tried the homemade moisturizer after their showers and found it beneficial. As someone with eczema and dry skin, she intentionally left out essential oils so that the same batch her husband whipped up would be suitable for her face and body.
What Other Ingredients Are in the Homemade Moisturizer Recipe?
Besides beef tallow, Nara Smith’s homemade moisturizer utilizes beeswax, squalene, jojoba oil, vitamin E oil, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin. Each ingredient serves a specific moisturizing or skin-nourishing purpose, with several supported by scientific research.
A 2023 study revealed that beeswax can act as an occlusive, humectant, and emollient. Humectants draw water into the skin to hydrate, while occlusives create a physical barrier to lock in that moisture and prevent evaporation. Emollients are moisturizing agents that soften and soothe the skin.
Squalene is a major component of skin surface lipids and mimics the oils naturally present in the skin.
A 2009 study found that squalene serves as both an emollient and antioxidant. A note about labeling: squalane — the more shelf-stable variant of the ingredient — might be a better option for long-term storage, according to Allure.
Jojoba oil is a liquid wax obtained from the seeds of the Simmondsia chinensis plant. A 2021 study found that it is commonly used in skincare for moisturizing, balancing oil production, and calming the skin.
Hyaluronic acid and glycerin both act as humectants in the formulation. As stated by CeraVe, “both hyaluronic acid and glycerin are humectants serving the same purpose of attracting moisture to hydrate the skin.”
Vitamin E rounds out the ingredient list. This fat-soluble antioxidant is naturally present in the skin and, according to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, it hydrates the skin, protects skin cells, and can absorb energy from ultraviolet (UV) light.
As always, viewers should consult a dermatologist before trying a homemade beef tallow moisturizer, as everyone’s skin is unique and may react differently to various ingredients.
