DIY tallow balm for face and body. This simple homemade balm contains only 3 ingredients; all promote skin hydration and healing. You won’t have to worry about funky chemicals, dyes or perfumes in this all-natural formula.
Why would I want to but tallow on my skin?
I know it may seem odd at first but trust me, the use of tallow for skin care is nothing new; and has been used for generations before us. It is amazing that this simple knowledge has been lost to so many in the modern world.
What is tallow balm good for?
It is incredibly hydrating and healing. This DIY Tallow Balm can be used for:
- A face cream
- Body lotion
- Dry Elbows
- Cracked Heels
- Diaper Rash (leave out essential oils or choose only those approved for babies).
I hope you’ll find it as beneficial for your skin as I have for mine.
Ingredients needed for Homemade Tallow Balm
It is important to remember that the skin is the largest organ on our bodies. Everything we place on our skin is absorbed into our system. That is why I recommended high quality products.
Grass Fed Beef Tallow – Beef tallow is rendered from beef fat. When warm it is a golden liquid but is hard when cooled or at room temperature. It is important to choose tallow from a grass fed cow. This ensures the best quality and quantity of vitamins and minerals. I like to get my tallow locally when I can, if not I like the Epic Beef Tallow.
You can also render your own beef tallow for the full DIY experience. If you prefer could use tallow rendered from sheep as well.
Tallow is naturally healing and moisturizing. It contains minerals and the vitamins A, D, E, and K, which supports healthy skin. Tallow also has conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) in it which has anti-inflammatory properties. It has been said to have regenerative properties that can give skin a more youth appearance.
Organic Jojoba Oil – Jojoba oil is derived from the jojoba plant’s seeds. This shrub grows mainly in Arizona, California and northern Mexico. It is believed that The O’odham Native American Tribe may have been the first to extract the oil and used it in the treatment of wounds.
Jojoba oil is also both healing and moisturizing. It is also contains an antioxidant that may help you skin fight the stress of exposure to toxins in our environment (which may prevent wrinkles and fine lines).
Essential Oils – Add essential oils to make your balm even more effective. You want to choose quality oils!
Essential Oils you might want to consider add:
How to Make Tallow Balm at Home
Gather all your ingredients.
Melt the tallow. I did this using an oven safe glass measuring cup placed in a pan with several inches of water. Once tallow was softened, I gently stirred with a fork to encourage the rest to melt.
Add jojoba oil to melted tallow and mix well using a fork or whisk.
Add 15-20 drops of essential oil of your choice.
Mix well.
Pour into glass jar and put lid on top.
Refrigerate until face cream solidifies.
Remove from refrigerator and store at room temperature.
How to store DIY Tallow Balm
Store in a glass jar, with lid, at room temperature. Keep lid on between uses to keep balm fresh.
Variations to Homemade the Balm
You can make a lighter version by whipping your tallow balm after the recipe is completed. Once you’ve completed the recipe, allow it to solidify in the mixing bowl them whip with a hand mixer before placing it in your glass jar.
Other DIY Recipes You’ll Love
DIY Beard Balm
DIY Bug Repellent Bars
Creamy Calendula Salve
Rosemary Cedarwood Shampoo Bars
Gardeners Hand Balm
Honey Whipped DIY Hand Cream
DIY Tallow Balm
All natural hydrating and healing for your skin
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Grass Fed Beef Tallow
- 2 tbsp Organic Jojoba Oil
- 15 – 20 Drops Essential of Your Choice
Instructions
Melt the tallow. I did this using an oven safe glass measuring cup placed in a pan with several inches of water. Once tallow was softened, I gently stirred with a fork to encourage the rest to melt.
Add jojoba oil to melted tallow and mix well using a fork or whisk.
Add 15-20 drops of essential oil of your choice.
Mix well.
Pour into glass jar and put lid on top.
Refrigerate until face cream solidifies.
Remove from refrigerator and store at room temperature.
Keep lid on between use to keep balm fresh.
Can’t wait to try this!!
Yeah!!!! Which essential oils will you add?
OH my gosh, thank you for sharing this recipe! I love seeing pictures because I’m a visual person! I would add my lemon essential oil to this recipe!
Lemon is a wonderful oil to use!
I can’t wait to try this, I was literally thinking, “shouldn’t you be able to make lotion from animal fats?” You’re reading my thoughts! I didn’t even look it up, I’m already on your mailing list so the same morning I had this thought, I got this email. Thank you! Bless you. I’m gonna use some lavender and helichrisym.
Emily – I think helichrisym is a great choice and you can never go wrong with a little lavender. Let me know how you like it!!!
Just remember that citrus oils can make you super sensitive to the sun. If you use this stay away from direct sun for several hours.
I’d add helichrysum, carrot seed, frankincense, rose oil and geranium for older skin and MAYBE sub Rosehip seed oil for the jojoba for the same reason
Thanks for the wonderful recipe!
I love helichrysum and rose oil.
Hi please can you advise the shelf life of a cream containing grass fed tallow as if I buy a jar of tallow the shelf life is one month in a fridge , therefore is a preservative needed? Thank you
For tallow – unrefrigerated shelf life of 2-6 months, if refrigerated 9 – 12 months. I do not make a lot at one time so I do not use any preservative and in the summer I like to put it in the fridge, very refreshing.
I’ll probably use Frankincense in mine. Luckily, I have all the ingredients. Yay!
Frankincense is an amazing addition!
Thanks for this recipe. Is this safe to be applied on a 3 year old ?
There isn’t anything in the ingredients that would keep me from applying it to a child but that is up to you as a mother / caregiver.
I’m making this today and using Vanilla + Almond glycerin for the scent
Please come back and share how you like it. That sounds wonderful!
I love the balm recipe! I did whip it after it was semi-setup and I definitely prefer the whipped texture. It is more like a semi-hard lotion. So far its been great on my eczema prone hands.