Tallow, a form of rendered cattle or mutton fat, has been used in skincare by ancient cultures for centuries. The Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, Chinese, and other ancient cultures have all used tallow in skincare for its nourishing, healing, and moisturizing properties.
The ancient Greeks used tallow in skincare to maintain the health and appearance of their skin. According to the Greek physician Galen, tallow was commonly used to make ointments and salves for the treatment of various skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
The ancient Romans also used tallow in skincare. They believed that tallow had healing properties that could soothe the skin. Roman women also used tallow to make creams and balms which were applied to the skin as part of their daily beauty routine. In addition, tallow was also used in the form of soap for cleaning the skin.
The ancient Egyptians used tallow in skincare to maintain the youthful appearance of the skin. According to the book "Ancient Egyptian Medicine" by J. F. Nunn, tallow was commonly used in the form of ointments and creams to moisturize the skin.
As for the Chinese, they were using tallow in skincare as early as the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). According to the book "Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies" by Dan Bensky and Andrew Gamble, tallow was commonly used to make soaps, creams, and balms, which were used to treat a variety of skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and dry skin.
In 2017-2018, experts from the Chinese Academy of Sciences excavated a nobleman's tomb filled with assorted grave goods at the Liujiawa site in northern China. They also found a 2700-year-old Chinese face cream in an ornate bronze jar. The cream was made from a combination of animal fat and moonmilk. The cream was found in a well-preserved wooden container and is believed to have been used for skincare purposes. This discovery provides insight into the skincare practices of ancient China and the use of natural ingredients such as animal fat and moonmilk in beauty products.
Other ancient cultures such as the Celts also used tallow in skincare. They believed that tallow had healing properties that could help to soothe and protect the skin from the elements. They used it to make salves, balms, and ointments, which were applied to the skin to treat a variety of skin conditions such as cuts, burns, and bruises.
Today, tallow is still used in skincare, but it is mostly used in the form of tallow-based soaps and lotions. While it may not be as popular as it once was, tallow is still considered to be a natural and effective ingredient for maintaining healthy and youthful-looking skin. It is important to note that all the information provided above are based on historical sources and not on scientific studies.