When and Why Tallow Stopped being Used…
When Did Tallow Stop Being Common in Skincare?
Tallow began to fade from widespread use in skincare around the mid-20th century, especially in the 1950s–1970s, during the rise of industrialized consumer goods and modern cosmetic chemistry.
Why Did It Stop Being Used?
Rise of Synthetic Alternatives
New synthetic ingredients like petroleum-based oils, parabens, and chemical emulsifiers were cheaper to produce, had longer shelf lives, and could be made in large quantities.
These lab-made substitutes replaced many traditional ingredients, including tallow, in mass-market skincare.
Shift in Perception
As society became more urbanized, traditional animal-based products were seen as "old-fashioned" or "unrefined."
Marketing campaigns pushed the idea that synthetic = modern and advanced, while natural ingredients like tallow were seen as outdated.
Vegetarian/Vegan Movements
With the rise of vegetarianism and later veganism, some brands moved away from any animal-derived products, including tallow, to appeal to a broader market.
Regulatory and Commercial Pressure
Big cosmetic corporations favored ingredients that could be patented and standardized. Since tallow is a natural, non-patentable ingredient, it wasn't as profitable for large-scale production.
Why It's Making a Comeback:
Now, thanks to the natural skincare movement, tallow is gaining popularity again for its effectiveness, purity, and compatibility with human skin. People are rediscovering how powerful traditional ingredients really are—especially those like tallow that are bioavailable, nutrient-dense, and gentle.
