Fat Isn’t the Enemy—It’s the Secret to Great Skin

For decades, the word “fat” has been unfairly demonized—both in our diets and our skincare. But here’s the truth: your skin is made of fat, and it absolutely thrives when nourished with the right kinds. In fact, the outermost layer of your skin—the lipid bilayer—depends on healthy fats to stay hydrated, elastic, and resilient.

At Brooklyn Skin Food, we’re reclaiming fat for what it really is: the skin’s original superfood.

The Lipid Barrier: Your Skin’s Fat-Loving Shield

Your skin’s stratum corneum (outer layer) is often described as a “brick-and-mortar” structure. The skin cells (bricks) are held together by a “mortar” made up of lipids (fats). This lipid matrix is crucial—it keeps moisture in and irritants out.

Studies have shown that this lipid barrier is composed of ceramides, cholesterol, and free fatty acids, most of which are saturated or monounsaturated—not polyunsaturated.¹

🧪 Source:

1. The role of lipids in the epidermal barrier – PubMed

Saturated Fats = Skin Barrier Magic

Saturated fats, like those found in grass-fed beef tallow and virgin coconut oil, are structurally similar to the fats naturally present in your skin’s barrier. This means your skin recognizes, absorbs, and utilizes them efficiently.

Benefits of Saturated Fats for Skin:

• Rebuild the lipid bilayer

• Prevent transepidermal water loss (TEWL)

• Calm inflammation and support skin immunity

• Support collagen structure and elasticity

One key fatty acid in tallow is stearic acid, which helps restore skin integrity and repair the barrier.² Tallow also contains palmitic acid, oleic acid, and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), all of which offer anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.³

🧪 Sources:2. Fatty acids and skin barrier repair – PubMed3. Conjugated linoleic acid for skin inflammation – PubMed

Coconut Oil: A Natural Saturated Fat Powerhouse

Our USDA organic virgin coconut oil is rich in lauric acid, a saturated fat that’s been shown to have antimicrobial and moisturizing effects, particularly on dry or inflamed skin.⁴

Unlike polyunsaturated fats that oxidize easily, saturated fats like coconut oil are naturally stable, meaning they resist rancidity, require no preservatives, and protect the skin barrier.

🧪 Lauric acid and antimicrobial properties – PubMed

Why Sourcing Matters: Not All Fats Are Created Equal

We’re obsessive about our sourcing—because the quality of fat matters.

At Brooklyn Skin Food:

• ✅ We use only 100% grass-fed, grass-finished tallow—never grain-fed or industrial byproducts

• ✅ We store our tallow in glass jars, not plastic, to prevent contamination from endocrine-disrupting compounds

• ✅ We source USDA organic virgin coconut oil, cold-pressed and unrefined

• ✅ Every ingredient is food-grade—safe enough to eat, even safer for your skin

Compare this to many “natural” skincare brands, which often:

• ❌ Use industrial seed oils like sunflower, safflower, or soybean oil—high in PUFAs, unstable, and prone to oxidation

• ❌ Add preservatives, emulsifiers, or synthetic fragrance

• ❌ Store oils in plastic, risking leaching of harmful chemicals

🧪 Oxidation of PUFAs and skin aging – PubMed

Your Skin Loves Fat—The Right Kind

Fat isn’t the problem—it’s the solution. Especially when it’s sourced intentionally, formulated simply, and biochemically aligned with the structure of your skin.

At Brooklyn Skin Food, we don’t just use fat—we honor it. Our formulations feed your skin the way nature intended: with stable, nutrient-dense fats that rebuild, restore, and protect. No seed oils. No fluff. Just real nourishment.