skin structure

atopic dermatitis

dysbiosis

beef tallow

5) ECZEMA

3) ECZEMA


3.1) What is Eczema?

Eczema is a general term describing inflamed, itchy skin. Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common form of eczema and is a chronic, relapsing, inflammatory disease characterised by a weakened skin barrier, immune dysregulation, itchy skin flares and lichenification (skin thickening). The terms are often used interchangeably. The word ‘eczema’ comes from the Greek ‘ekzein’, meaning "to boil over," in this case referring to blistering skin. AD was first recognised in the mid 1900s. Incidence began rising dramatically from the 1970s7 and it now affects approximately 3% of babies, 10-20% of children, and 1-3% of adults.20 AD is thought of as the “poster skin disease”4 because it comprehensively illustrates the multiple, significant effects of epidermal barrier dysfunction.

AD involves the following:

  • Dysfunction of the skin barrier7 leading to severe skin dehydration (epidermal water loss) and changes to genes and proteins which modulate homeostasis.20

  • The dryness allows allergens to more easily penetrate the skin, causing itching, rashes and allergies.20

  • An immune response follows7 (elevated IgE antibodies, infiltration of inflammatory cells20).

  • Then microbial diversity declines, which means less capacity to produce AMPs, and increased susceptibility to pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus.7

  • Self-repair mechanisms within the skin are deactivated, leaving the skin unable to properly heal itself.4

  • A large percentage of AD sufferers also have genetic mutations which predispose them to eczema.4

3.2) Can beef tallow help with eczema?

Repairing and maintaining barrier function and hydration are central to managing AD.

Eczema is a notoriously difficult condition to treat. While many people have managed or even resolved their symptoms with lifestyle changes (focusing on diet and supplementation), these changes are challenging in the modern world where we are surrounded by foods and chemicals that can aggravate our skin. Pharmaceutical treatments are a double edged sword. They can be very effective (particularly in the short term), but the side effect profile may be difficult to manage.

Moisturisers are recommended as part of a treatment plan for AD and many other skin disorders. There are three fundamental moisturising actions to consider:4

  • Occlusive: Fats and waxes form an hydrophobic occlusive barrier on the skin to slow water loss.

  • Emollient: Fatty ingredients fill the crevices in damaged skin, creating smoothness and flexibility.

  • Humectant: Many moisturisers contain water-soluble humectants (such as glycerin or hyaluronic acid) which attract and hold water in the skin. These ingredients are typically used in water-containing formulations, which generally require preservatives to prevent microbial growth. 

Kacow! functions as an occlusive and emollient, thus protecting the skin barrier and improving water retention.

There is almost no research examining the effects of beef tallow on eczema. A study in the journal Nutrients (2020)20 examined the effects of a topical treatment consisting of beef tallow and several other fatty and mineral components on atopic dermatitis. The treatment significantly improved the dermatitis on both a macroscopic and microscopic level, and the authors suggested that it may be used instead of, or in conjunction with corticosteroids (which are an effective symptomatic treatment, but come with side effects). Disappointingly, this was a mouse study, and it did not examine beef tallow in isolation, so the degree to which the results can be extrapolated to humans is unclear.

If you sell a beef tallow moisturiser in New Zealand, you are not allowed to make claims for efficacy regarding eczema or other medical conditions (although you are allowed to share product reviews). In the absence of scientific evidence, this is fair enough. But absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. Beef tallow is a lovely ingredient. It has a wonderful micronutrient profile, and a fascinating history. It fits in beautifully with a ‘nose-to-tail’ philosophy of consumerism. It may not suit every individual, but what I can say is that some individual components of beef tallow (and other Kacow! ingredients) have documented anti-inflammatory or barrier-supportive properties in isolated laboratory or animal studies — properties which are relevant to the biology discussed above, though untested in Kacow! itself or in eczema patients specifically.

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References

References

  1. Santos, Y. R., Andréo‐Filho, N., Lopes, P. S. & Leite‐Silva, V. R. A review of skin microbiome and new challenges to cosmetic microbiome‐friendly formulations. Int. J. Cosmet. Sci. ics.70073 (2026) doi:10.1111/ics.70073. ↩ back to text
  2. Lee, T. & Friedman, A. Skin Barrier Health: Regulation and Repair of the Stratum Corneum and the Role of Over-the-Counter Skin Care. J. Drugs Dermatol. JDD 15, 1047–1051 (2016). ↩ back to text
  3. Milstone, L. M. Epidermal desquamation. J. Dermatol. Sci. 36, 131–140 (2004). ↩ back to text
  4. Del Rosso DO, J. Q. & Kircik MD, L. Skin 101: Understanding the Fundamentals of Skin Barrier Physiology—Why is This Important for Clinicians? J. Clin. Aesthetic Dermatol. 18, 7–15 (2025). ↩ back to text
  5. Wagner, N. et al. Microbial Dynamics: Assessing Skincare Regimens’ Impact on the Facial Skin Microbiome and Skin Health Parameters. Microorganisms 12, 2655 (2024). ↩ back to text
  6. Murphy, B., Hoptroff, M., Arnold, D., Eccles, R. & Campbell-Lee, S. In-vivo impact of common cosmetic preservative systems in full formulation on the skin microbiome. PLOS ONE 16, e0254172 (2021). ↩ back to text
  7. Ram, H. & Dastager, S. G. Re-purposing is needed for beneficial bugs, not for the drugs. Int. Microbiol. 22, 1–6 (2019). ↩ back to text
  8. Song, S. J. et al. Cohabiting family members share microbiota with one another and with their dogs. eLife 2, e00458 (2013). ↩ back to text
  9. Russell, M. F. et al. Tallow, Rendered Animal Fat, and Its Biocompatibility With Skin: A Scoping Review. Cureus https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.60981 (2024) doi:10.7759/cureus.60981. ↩ back to text
  10. Varvaresou, A. et al. Self‐preserving cosmetics. Int. J. Cosmet. Sci. 31, 163–175 (2009). ↩ back to text
  11. Rybczyńska-Tkaczyk, K., Grenda, A., Jakubczyk, A., Kiersnowska, K. & Bik-Małodzińska, M. Natural Compounds with Antimicrobial Properties in Cosmetics. Pathogens 12, 320 (2023). ↩ back to text
  12. Sowell, T. A Conflict of Visions: Ideological Origins of Political Struggles. (Basic Books, 2002). ↩ back to text
  13. Han, B. et al. The rise of the cosmetic industry in ancient China: Insights from a 2700‐year‐old face cream. Archaeometry 63, 1042–1058 (2021). ↩ back to text
  14. Plinius Secundus, G., Jones, W. H. S. & Plinius Secundus, G. Natural history: in ten volumes. 6. Books 20 - 23 / with an English transl. by W. H. S. Jones. in (Harvard Univ. Press, Cambridge, Mass., 2005). ↩ back to text
  15. Fat, beef tallow - Nutrients - SR Legacy | USDA FoodData Central. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/171400/nutrients. ↩ back to text
  16. Almatroud, L., Choi, S., Libson, K. & Ashack, K. Beef Tallow‐Based Skincare Claims in Social Media: A Cross‐Sectional Analysis. J. Cosmet. Dermatol. 24, e70544 (2025). ↩ back to text
  17. Chutima, L. et al. Beef tallow: Extraction, physicochemical property, fatty acid composition, antioxidant activity, and formulation of lotion bars. J. Appl. Pharm. Sci. https://doi.org/10.7324/JAPS.2021.110903 (2021) doi:10.7324/JAPS.2021.110903. ↩ back to text
  18. Nogoy, K. M. C. et al. Fatty Acid Composition of Grain- and Grass-Fed Beef and Their Nutritional Value and Health Implication. Food Sci. Anim. Resour. 42, 18–33 (2022). ↩ back to text
  19. Den Hartigh, L. Conjugated Linoleic Acid Effects on Cancer, Obesity, and Atherosclerosis: A Review of Pre-Clinical and Human Trials with Current Perspectives. Nutrients 11, 370 (2019). ↩ back to text
  20. Lee, Y.-S. et al. NCM 1921, a Mixture of Several Ingredients, Including Fatty Acids and Choline, Attenuates Atopic Dermatitis in 1-Chloro-2,4-Dinitrobenzene-Treated NC/Nga Mice. Nutrients 12, 165 (2020). ↩ back to text
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some skin science

1) YOUR SKIN IS YOUR ARMOUR - skin structure
2) YOUR SKIN IS YOUR ARMOUR - microbes & dysbiosis
3) INGREDIENTS - preservatives, emulsifiers & emollients