What it is
Horse Fat is a lipid rendered from equine adipose tissue, long used in Korean and Japanese skincare and known as mayu or bayu. Its fatty acid profile, which includes a relatively high proportion of unsaturated fatty acids, gives it good spreadability and emollient feel. In balms and sticks it acts as an occlusive that helps soften skin and reduce moisture loss.
Safety & warnings
Generally well tolerated as an emollient. As a rich, fatty animal lipid it is occlusive and may feel heavy or contribute to congestion on acne-prone skin. It is of animal origin and therefore unsuitable for vegan or some religiously restricted formulations.
Origin & sourcing
Animal-derived; rendered from the subcutaneous fat of horses.
History
Horse oil has a long history of folk use in East Asia, particularly in Japan and Korea, where it was applied as a traditional remedy for dry and irritated skin before becoming a marketed cosmetic ingredient.
Questions everyone asks
What is horse fat used for in skincare?
It is an emollient and occlusive that softens skin and helps limit moisture loss, common in balms and sticks.
Is horse fat suitable for acne-prone skin?
Being a rich, occlusive animal lipid, it may feel heavy and could contribute to congestion for some users.