TickTokers apply beef fat for pimple-free skin, but dermatologists say 'You don't know...'

Skin experts, however, are not entirely convinced about beef tallow's efficacy. (Image credit: @she.ranches.boutique, Bee's Knees Tallow Balm/Instagram)

The newest unconventional skincare trend that has taken over TikTok is applying beef feet as a moisturizer for acne-free skin. It's being used as beef tallow, which involves the animal fat being melted to reduce impurities. The hashtag #beeftallowskincare has hit 12 million views on TikTok, CNBC Make It reported.

Several users on TikTok have been sharing their reviews after using the beef fat and praising its benefits including smoother skin and an even skin tone. “I’ve been using it every single day for months now, and my skin absolutely loves it,” Julia Yak, a holistic health and nutrition coach said in a video, the publication reported.

The trend seems to be picking up on Instagram too with several users sharing their take on it.

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But skin experts are not entirely convinced about tallow's efficacy. Typically, beef tallow is used in cooking oil, high-heat cooking like french fries, candles and more, dermatologist Dr Peter C. Young told CNBC Make It. But now, several online vendors are marketing beef tallow as a cure-all for dermatologic conditions with its hype growing on social media, he said.

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“That being said, it can have some of the benefits for your skin such as moisturisation and anti-inflammatory properties. It can be soothing,” Dr Young told the publication. He added that beef tallow has ingredients that are great for skin health, including vitamins A, D, E, K and B12 which are found in many moisturizers and other skin care products.

“The safety and effectiveness of tallow for skin care requires further research,” Young told CNBC Make It. “It can be hit or miss since it’s not regulated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), and you really don’t know what you’re getting. Most of the products that you’re getting are homemade or local.”

Read more: Uday Kotak bats for vegetarianism to save planet, says beef consumption too polluting