Beef tallow is gaining popularity as a skin care treatment, but slathering it on while vacationing in Yellowstone National Park or anywhere in grizzly country could be begging to get mauled.
Grizzlies have a keen sense of smell, many times better than that of dogs, retired federal ecologist Chuck Neal of Cody told Cowboy State Daily.
If the wind is right, it’s likely a grizzly could smell a hiker with beef tallow moisturizer from 5 miles away, he said.
Because beef tallow is “basically cow fat,” the scent is going to entice grizzlies to find the source of that glorious smell, he added.
From a grizzly’s perspective, somebody oiled up with beef tallow would be like putting out a bucket of buttered popcorn at the movies — an invitation to chow down.
“That’s not a good idea, not a good idea at all,” said Neal, who frequently goes on solo hikes in grizzly country.
Wyoming Game and Fish Department large carnivore specialist Dan Thompson agreed that beef tallow-based moisturizer could essentially be a bear magnet.
“Anything that has an odor has the ability to attract a bear,” he said. “They're not going to care if it's synthetically made or with organic free-range, grass-fed tallow.”
Why Is It Trending?
Animal fat-based skin care products have been gaining popularity, with beef tallow taking the lead.
Initial research indicates that it could be more than just a trendy fad, Healthline recently reported.
It’s rich in nutrients that could help hydrate and moisturize skin, including vitamins A, D, K, E and B12.
However, more research is needed to determine if the benefits outweigh the possible drawbacks, according to reports. For instance, there’s concern that tallow could also clog skin pores.
Amy Griffin of Riverton told Cowboy State Daily that her daughter recently began making her own tallow-based skin moisturizers.
She uses locally-sourced “straight grass-fed tallow,” Griffin said.
Mixed with other ingredients such as olive oil and honey, it seems to be effective, she said.
Griffin said she’s noticed a reduction in wrinkles, dark spots and other skin problems since she started using beef tallow-based moisturizer.
However, she agreed that it would be best to take the advice of bear experts and leave the beef tallow lotion at home if she goes camping or hiking in bear country.
“I hadn’t thought of that, but I can see how it would not be a good idea,” she said.
Beef tallow can provide moisturizing benefits when put on skin, along with helping with hydration and disinfection, reports Medical News Today.
But for people with already-oily skin or prone to acne, tallow could make things worse by clogging pores. Also, be wary of claims that tallow is an “all-natural” product, Medical News reports.
That’s because while it is a natural product, it also can spoil and turn rancid. And just being “natural” doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good to rub it all over your skin.
Avoid Odors In General
Making oneself smell like a beef stick snack for grizzlies might be especially stupid when camping out, but wearing strong scents in general is a bad idea in bear country, Neal said.
In addition to their keen sense of smell, grizzlies are highly intelligent and their curiosity will drive them to check out the source of unfamiliar or enticing scents, he said.
“I would not put anything that odoriferous on my body when going into grizzly territory,” Neal said.
Mark Heinz can be reached at mark@cowboystatedaily.com.
