Weekend: Welcome to the Granny Panties Era 👵🏼

If you thought Kim Kardashian’s “infamous vampire facial” was intense, buckle up: Beef tallow — aka, rendered fat from cows — is apparently the latest TikTok skin care craze. Yep, people are slathering their faces with what was once McDonald’s secret French fry ingredient. Now, to be fair, the creamy substance has reportedly been used for centuries as a moisturizer. But TikTokers are crediting the “miracle” worker with clearing up acne, evening tone, and smoothing wrinkles. One person even went so far as calling it “nature’s Botox.” The obvious questions here: Where does one acquire beef tallow? (On the off chance you’re not brave enough to DIY, some indie brands sell it online.) Will you smell like a burger? (Some influencers swear it’s odorless, but others have warned of a…meaty scent.) And, perhaps most pressing, does it actually work? While beef tallow contains some beneficial nutrients, dermatologists warn it isn’t FDA-approved or regulated for skin care. Meaning, you’re better off sticking to prescription or over-the-counter products.

Of course, beef tallow isn’t the only eyebrow-raising skin care trend in recent years. Let us remind you of: the Jennifer Aniston-approved salmon sperm facial (though, Aniston admits she’s still “unclear” about the whole extraction process); “cult-favorite” caviar masks, which take “a bit of getting used to” (wonder why); snail mucin serum (it’s apparently “not as gross as you might think”); and “menstrual masking,” which is exactly what it sounds like (read: incredibly messy). Plus, there was the Japanese-inspired “bird poop facial” (respectfully, no) and the time Kate Beckinsale praised the “penis facial” (we don’t even know where to begin). Naturally, we can’t help but wonder what will come next. Face mists made from Moo Deng’s water? Who knows, but we’ll stick to sunscreen.