My whipped tallow balm recipe is a family favorite, and I’m confident you’ll enjoy it as well. It’s inexpensive, simple to produce, free of toxins (unlike most store-bought lotions), and may be made with locally sourced materials.
Tallow balm has long been praised for its skin compatibility and anti-aging properties. Unfortunately, we have forgotten about it and are locked in an era that glorifies plant oils.
The truth is that you are human, not a plant. Plant oils are not as suitable for human skin, and they are frequently imported from halfway around the world. I know it looks strange to spread beef fat on your face but believe me! Once you try it, you’ll never be able to go back.
Let’s start making your own three-ingredient DIY whipped tallow balm to replace that store-bought lotion with 30+ harmful components! Let us accomplish this!
Ingredients needed.
- 1/2 cup organic, grass-finished tallow.
- 2 tablespoons oil of your choice – I use extra virgin olive oil.
- 10 drops of essential oil(s) – I recommend lavender, cedarwood, frankincense, and patchouli.
- Optionally, you can infuse therapeutic herbs like calendula in the fat.
Step 1: Melt tallow.
Use a double boiler to gently melt the tallow. This helps to maintain the delicate antioxidants; do not burn them! Tallow is a hard fat, thus it might be difficult to measure precisely. I like to eyeball the amount, melt it briefly, and then pour it into a glass measuring cup to double-check the amount.
Once melted, you can proceed to the next step, but if you’ve opted to infuse the tallow with a medicinal herb, do so now. Calendula, plantain, chamomile, and comfrey are some excellent possibilities.
I adore growing and using my own dried calendula blossoms! They possess remarkable healing and calming effects. Calendula is easy to grow and self-seeds, allowing you to enjoy it year after year.
Allow the warmed tallow to slowly infuse with the medicinal herb for 1-2 hours in a double-boiler over low heat. You’ll probably need to top off the pot with water every 20 minutes or so. Once infused, drain the spent herb and move on to the next stage!
Step 2: Combine the ingredients.
Turn off the heat and transfer the melted tallow to a glass basin. Allow to cool somewhat before adding 2 tablespoons oil and 10 drops of essential oil(s). Allow to cool on the counter until slightly stiffened (typically around 45 minutes).
Step 3: Whip it up!
When you can form a finger impression, you know it’s ready, but it’s also no longer soupy. In the past, I tried to speed up the process by putting the bowl in the refrigerator. I’ve learned my lesson. If the mixture cools too much, it becomes quite hard and does not whip up nicely.
When it’s ready, whisk it with a hand mixer until soft and fluffy. Stick with it! It may take several minutes to include enough air to generate a fluffy texture.
Step 4: Storage.
Once whipped to your taste, transfer to an 8oz glass bottle and store in a cool, dark spot, such as your bathroom cabinet or vanity. This whipped tallow balm should last for a year if it does! I like to slather it on, especially in the cold, so I go through it rather quickly.
Here, I created a double batch to fill a normal mason jar. Let’s go for it while you’re already making a mess, right? Enjoy!
Whipped Tallow Balm Recipe Variations
Types of tallow
Tallow balm is generally produced with cow tallow, but it may also be created with deer tallow! I prepared my last batch with deer tallow from a deer we shot on our property this fall, and it turned out fantastic! A true nose-to-tail method that I enjoy. Nothing goes to waste here!
Types of oils
The reason you need to add oil to your tallow balm is that tallow is quite hard at room temperature. Adding a little oil softens it up, making it easier to spread. However, avoid using coconut oil because it is solid at room temperature. Choose liquid oil.
Extra virgin olive oil is my favorite, and you probably already have it on hand! I buy it in bulk from Azure Standard.
- Almond oil
- Avocado Oil
- Rosehip Seed Oil
- Jojoba oil.
- Argan oil
Types of essential oils
Adding essential oils is entirely optional. If you want a simple, unscented tallow balm, go for it! Otherwise, a few drops of essential oils are an excellent method to mask some of that “beefy” odor while providing additional benefits.
I prefer essential oil blends since they eliminate the need to mix and match different oils. Plus, I enjoy that they are made for a specific purpose, such as these blends that are dedicated to skin health:
- Plant Therapy’s Soft Skin Essential Oil Blend
- Plant Therapy’s Anti-Age Essential Oil Blend
- Edens Garden’s Age-Defying Essential Oil Synergy Blend
You can also utilize individual oils. These are a few of my favorite essential oils for skincare.
- Frankincense
- Yarrow/Pom
- Lavender
- Tea Tree
- Helichrysum
- Bergamot
- Jasmine
- Sandalwood
- Rose
- Roman Chamomile
Where can I buy tallow balm?
Not ready to make it on your own? Not a problem! You can easily get tallow balm on Amazon. It provides a wide range of tallow balms from various brands to meet a variety of skincare needs. Hearth and Homestead Handmade Whipped Tallow Balm is an excellent choice. This balm is manufactured from 100% grass-fed tallow and contains no additives, making it a fantastic choice for natural skincare enthusiasts. Browse the alternatives to discover the best tallow balm for your needs.
Handmade Whipped Tallow Balm
This product is a handmade whipped tallow balm from Hearth and Homestead, featuring organic ingredients like grass-fed tallow and infused olive oil. It’s designed for various skin types and comes in an unscented version. Perfect for moisturizing and addressing skin concerns like eczema and rosacea.
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