What’s my secret weapon for all things skin-related? Tallow, of course! Because it is so similar to our own skin cells, tallow is the perfect moisturizer and healer for skin. This is an updated tutorial of my favorite tallow balm recipe for dry skin, eczema, acne, anti-aging, and more!
Tallow balm recipe
It might sound totally crazy. Rub beef fat into your skin? But once you try tallow balm, there’s no going back!
As soon as you take a little bit and start to rub it into your skin, you’ll experience it: deep, soothing moisture that our skin seems to instantly recognize and love.
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Why does grass-fed tallow work so well?
Tallow is especially compatible with our skin cells. Because of this, it works so much better at moisturizing than any plant-based oil or butter. Tallow made from 100% grass fed, grass-finished beef is especially high in all sorts of skin-friendly nutrients. Here’s a list of what 100% grass-fed tallow does:
- Is deeply nourishing and moisturizing
- Contains Vitamins A, D, K, & E, & B12, all of which are extremely beneficial for skin
- Also helps to prevent the skin’s loss of moisture
- Contains conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) with natural anti-inflammatory properties
- All of these nutrients are found together only in animal products
- Contains oleic acid (omega 9) aids other components in penetrating deeply into the skin
- Is antibacterial & antimicrobial
- Contains palmitic acid which helps improve the protective barrier function of the skin
- Is rich in minerals
- Contains stearic acid which helps to repair damaged skin, and improves skin’s flexibility and suppleness
- Aids in skin regeneration for skin that appears healthier and more youthful
- Contains palmitoleic acid (omega 7) which is one of our skin’s basic building blocks
Because of all these nutrients, and the way that tallow is so compatible with our skin, tallow balm is the absolute best skin moisturizer ever.
All of these nutrients and antioxidants make tallow balm the ultimate anti-aging skin cream as well.
If you want to read more, I have another blog post on beef tallow benefits, another one on why skin loves grass-fed tallow, and another one on the complete guide to tallow skin care.
The ultimate skin remedy
Tallow balm works incredibly for routine moisturizing. But it is even more amazing when used to soothe a variety of skin issues. Eczema, acne, rashes, itchy skin, and burns are no match for tallow balm’s wonderful soothing and healing properties.
The natural antibacterial and antimicrobial properties make tallow balm wonderful for soothing and healing acne as well.
Scars and stretch marks are other things that happen from time to time. Tallow balm helps immensely to fade them, and to soothe and repair skin.
Check out my entire homemade anti-aging skincare routine here, and how to make tallow sunscreen here. If you’re looking for something lighter, I also have a tallow lotion recipe here.
Make this tallow balm recipe even better
Tallow balm on its own is phenomenal. A plain, unscented tallow balm is my top choice whenever I want to use it as a baby skin cream, to heal diaper rash, or to use it to avoid soreness when nursing. In all those cases, it’s important to not use any additional ingredients, to avoid irritating or upsetting a baby’s skin or tummy.
Lots of times though, I love to add essential oils to my tallow balm recipe. Essential oils have their own amazing properties for the skin, and they can definitely enhance the healing power of grass-fed tallow.
There are essential oils that help to heal, soothe, and calm skin. Some essential oils are wonderful for anti-aging.
Sometimes, I choose essential oils for my tallow balm based purely on how good they smell. It’s really fun to experiment and come up with new scent combinations!
Whenever I add essential oils to my tallow balm recipe, I like to use a 1% dilution. That would be 48 drops for an 8 fl. oz. jar of tallow balm.
The magic potion
Making a tallow balm recipe is really pretty simple. It is just rendered tallow, a very small bit of olive oil, and some optional essential oils. The olive oil is added to make the balm soft enough to easily spread and work into the skin. I usually use olive oil, but any liquid, skin-friendly oil will work nicely. Another option I really like is jojoba oil.
The tallow you use really does make a difference. You can use tallow from any beef fat, but in order to get the most beneficial nutrients, I recommend using tallow from 100% grass-fed, grass-finished beef. I have lots of tips on where to buy tallow in another blog post, which you can read here.
If you buy already rendered tallow, you’re good to go. All you have to do is melt it and then combine the other ingredients.
You can also render tallow yourself. I have a tutorial on how to render and purify tallow so that it is odorless and white in another blog post, which you can read here.
To whip or not to whip
You can make tallow balm in two ways: whipped or solid.
Solid tallow balm is the consistency of butter at room temperature. It’s great when you want to keep some tallow balm around long term.
Whipped tallow balm is my favorite. It is light and fluffy, like whipped cream! It is luxurious to apply.
Alright, now that you’ve fallen in love with tallow balm like I have, let’s get to it and make some!
Tallow balm recipe directions
Ingredients:
- 1 cup melted tallow (preferably from organically raised, 100% grass-fed beef)
- 1/4 cup olive oil (or another skin-friendly, liquid oil)
- 48 drops essential oils (if desired)
Instructions:
- Gently melt tallow so that it is liquid.
- Stir olive oil into melted tallow.
- Add essential oils, if using, and stir again.
- For the solid version, pour liquid tallow balm into a glass jar. Allow it to solidify at room temperature.
- For the whipped version, pour liquid tallow balm into a large mixing bowl. Allow it to solidify at room temperature. Whip tallow balm with a hand mixer for at least two minutes until it is light and fluffy, sapping periodically to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
- Store in a cool, dark place.
Have you tried tallow balm before?
What did you think of it? How has it helped you? Tell me about it in the comments!
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More organic skincare recipes
Tinted lip balm recipe with honey and tallow
Reasons why skin loves grass-fed tallow
How to render and purify tallow
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Tallow Balm
What looks like birthday cake frosting, and is packed with nutrients that skin loves? Let's learn how to make tallow balm!
Ingredients
- 1 cup Grass fed tallow
- 1/4 cup Olive oil
- 48 drops Essential oils
Instructions
- Melt tallow over gentle heat until it is liquid.
- Remove tallow from heat. Add olive oil and stir to combine.
- Add essential oils and stir again.
- For solid tallow balm, pour balm into glass jar. Allow to harden in the refrigerator. When solid, let balm come to room temperature before using.
- For whipped tallow balm, pour liquid balm mixture into a large mixing bowl. Allow to solidify at room temperature. When solid, whip with a hand or stand mixer until light and fluffy. Store in glass jar.
- Store both forms of tallow balm at room temperature.
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