The Best Whipped Tallow Balm Recipe for Glowing Skin

I’ve tried every kind of lotion for my dry skin and nothing seemed to work until I learned about using beef fat on your skin!

Sounds weird right?!

When I first heard about using animal fat on your skin I was so intrigued…

It seems like everyone is talking about plant-based everything these days so seeing something that was animal-based seemed strange at first. But the more I thought about it the more it made sense.

Why would our skin want something plant-based when we aren’t plants?

We are animals after all so an animal-based skincare routine just makes sense!

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only. I am not a doctor, all opinions are my own. This information is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. I cannot promise you any certain results. Read full disclaimer here.

Tallow contains vitamin A which helps to heal skin issues such as aging, skin irritations, or acne by producing more collagen making cells healthy, and leaving the skin smooth.

Tallow is more compatible with our skin than plant-based products because our cell membranes need fats to be made. Tallow actually helps to repair cells and leave even the most sensitive skin feeling nourished and amazing!

I was already ready to call it quits on conventional lotions because of the added fragrance and toxic ingredients. I was looking for something clean, simple, easy to make and that actually works.

Tallow balm checked all of those boxes and more! This tallow balm recipe is made of only natural ingredients and you only need a little bit since it is so rich which makes it last a long time!

What Is Tallow?

Before I get into the actual recipe, let’s talk about what tallow actually is. Tallow is rendered fat from an animal. In most cases, it is from a cow.

Tallow is one of the healthiest fats. The fat (also known as leaf fat) is trimmed from the meat and heated until it separates and then strained until only the liquid is left.

Just like other fats like coconut oil, it is solid at room temperature and liquid when it is heated. It can also be whipped which makes it perfect for use in skin balm or other skin care products.

It is always best to pick grass-fed beef tallow which means it is made from fat from grass-fed cows. This will ensure it has the most nutrients and is the best for skin health.

What Can Tallow Balm Be Used For?

Tallow balm is great for the skin because it has anti-inflammatory properties and is high in vitamin E. You can use it for many skincare products such as:

• diaper rash cream
• lip balm
• body balm
• skin conditions such as cracked heels and dry elbows
• face cream
• tallow soap

Ingredients You Need For Natural Tallow Balm

Tallow: You can get tallow from your local farmer, grocery store, or amazon. Be sure to choose grass-fed tallow. It blends beautifully and leaves no smell once it is whipped.

Make sure you buy high-quality grass-fed beef tallow.

Olive Oil: Organic olive oil is great for the skin and is one of my favorite natural oils to use with tallow. You could also use jojoba oil in this recipe.

Essential Oils: You can also add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the balm to give it a pleasing scent. This is an optional step.

I don’t always add oils. I find that the natural scent is fairly neutral and I love it! You will also want to leave out essential oils if you are going to use the balm on a baby or small child.

Which Essential Oils Should You Use?

Essential oils are very potent and should be used with caution and in moderation. The best essential oils for skin that I have used are:

• Frankincense
• Helichrysum
• Manuka
• Lavender
• Tea tree
• Rosemary
• Lemongrass

Start with a few drops in your first batch so you can get an idea of how much scent you want to add.

Remember some oils are photosensitive which means they can cause a skin reaction when exposed to the sun. Do not use photosensitive oils if you will be wearing the lotion outside in direct sunlight.

Here is a list of photosensitive oils to avoid when using your lotion during the daytime:

• Angelica
• Bergamot
• Dill
• Grapefruit
• Lemon
• Lemon Verbena
• Lime
• Orange
• Tangerine
• Jade Lemon
• German Chamomile
• White Angelica

How To Make Your Own Tallow Balm

Step One:

Gather your ingredients (tallow, olive oil, & essential oils) and your supplies. You will need a heat-resistant measuring bowl, a small mason jar with a top, a pot with water, and a handheld mixer.

Step Two:

Add 1/2 cup of beef tallow with 2 tablespoons of organic olive oil to the glass measuring bowl. Then put the entire bowl into the water in the pot on the stove to make a DIY double broiler.

Be sure not to get any water into your tallow mixture. Heat the water on low heat and stir the mixture until it is combined.

Step Three:

Once the mixture is completely liquified and combined you can add essential oils. Add 10-20 drops depending on how strong you want the scent to be. This step is optional.

Step Four:

Take the mixture off the stove and place it on a potholder on the kitchen counter. Cover it and wait for it to harden for about an hour before whipping it.

Alternatively, if you want your blam to be solid and not whipped you can pour it straight into the glass jar once it is cooled a little but is still a liquid. If you do this you can skip the next step.

Step Five:

After an hour or so your mixture should harden up. Once it is hardened use your hand mixer to whip it until it is to the desired consistency. Then add it to your mason jar and put the top on.

If you enjoyed this recipe also try making your own bath bombs and baking soda-free deodorant!

How To Use Tallow Lotion

I use this homemade tallow balm for my entire body. I use a tiny bit as a day and night face cream and I use it as a body lotion after I shower.

You can also use it for really dry areas like your feet at night with socks and let it soak into the area.

A little goes a long way so if you feel greasy residue after applying you probably added too much. The best way to tell if you used enough is if it absorbs into your skin right away.

How To Store Your Tallow Balm

I keep my tallow balm on the counter in a glass jar in the bathroom and it always stays whipped. However, if your house is above 80 degrees it may start to melt.

Be sure to keep it out of direct sunlight and extreme heat. The shelf life is about 6 months but I always make a small batch and use it up way before that time.

Everyone in my family uses it and my husband even uses it as a mustache and beard balm!

Wrapping Up

Overall using tallow balm has many health benefits and it has given me clear, healthy skin. The skin on my face especially has been much more vibrant and clear since I gave up all my fancy skincare products and started using tallow instead.

It seems like there are a million different skin care products that claim to give you healthy skin but in my opinion, a great tallow balm is all you need! It will make your skin feel softer than ever before. For more skin moisturizing effects give licorice root a try!

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