Grass fed tallow is becoming more popular for skincare. Did you know that tallow also has amazing benefits for hair? Let’s look at all the ways you can use tallow for hair and get the ultimate nutrient dense beauty treatment for your tresses.
Tallow for hair
Grass fed beef tallow is one of my favorite things. I love how nutrient dense it is, and how many different things you can use it for! From kitchen to body to homestead, tallow has you covered with many beef tallow uses.
I think it is so much fun to come up with different body pampering recipes that use tallow. For one thing, you can’t get more pure and natural than grass fed beef tallow. It is the ultimate in edible skin care.
If you’re new to all of the beef tallow tallow benefits for body care, you’ll want to check out my ultimate guide to tallow skin care here. Now let’s take a look at tallow for hair and why it is so wonderful for hair care.
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Is tallow good for hair?
It sure is! In the same way that it is good for skin, beef tallow has some wonderful benefits for keep hair hydrated, soft, and healthy.
When tallow comes from organic, grass fed cows, it is one of the healthiest fats there is. Grass fed tallow is rich in fat soluble vitamins A, D, K, and E, as well as a whole lot of other beneficial nutrients (source).
Here are some of the things tallow can do for hair:
- Reduce itchy scalp
- Smooth frizz
- Boost shine
- Condition, hydrate, and soften
- Repair dry, split ends
How to use tallow for hair
There are a variety of ways I like to use tallow for hair benefits. Check out my entire hair care routine here.
Tallow shampoo bar
My tallow shampoo bars are one of my most favorite creations ever. I had been looking for the perfect, complete natural hair washing product that worked very well, and that I could make myself.
These tallow shampoo bars lather beautifully, and leave hair soft, clean, and perfectly moisturized. Grab a tallow shampoo bar to try for yourself here, and get my tallow shampoo bar recipe here.
DIY Heat Protectant
Another way I like to use tallow in my hair care routine is in this DIY heat protectant recipe. It combines avocado oil with grass fed tallow and a little essential oil to protect hair from heat damage.
I like to put a little bit of this on my hair when it is still wet. It works as a leave in conditioner, an anti frizz serum, a shine booster, and a heat protectant, all in one.
Deep conditioning treatment
I also like to use tallow to do a deep conditioning treatment on my hair every now and then. I will use either the DIY heat protectant, or some tallow balm for this. Grab some tallow balm here.
Here’s my method: I work a little bit of tallow balm or heat protectant into the ends of my hair, massaging it around to get them really hydrated. I’ll work a bit up the length of my hair, too, as my hair is pretty long right now.
Then I let it sit in my hair for about 20 minutes. After that I shampoo my hair as usual, and I’m done.
If you struggle with dry or itchy scalp, tallow is the perfect treatment for that, too. Just follow the same directions, but include your scalp as well as the rest of your hair. Tea tree and peppermint oil are really helpful for scalp conditions, too.
Tallow hair care recipes
What are some of your favorite natural hair care products?
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I am really interested in using tallow as part of my hair care. But I’m nervous about rinsing it out in the shower and having all the different oils go down the drain ????. Do you have any thoughts on this?
Do you apply to dry hair or wet hair??
The link does not work for the Tallow you recommend. I am trying to secure and make my own but until then anyone know of a good one that is not gritty
Here you go! https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=557754&u=2281503&m=51217&urllink=&afftrack=
I’d exercise caution when applying tallow to the scalp. Your scalp has a yeast called Malassezia that is part of its natural skin biome. In a healthy body it is kept in balance. But since Malassezia feeds on long chain fatty acids (like the saturated fats stearic acid and oleic acid that compose the majority of tallow’s fatty acid profile), overloading the scalp can cause overgrowth leading to dandruff.
A better option is MCT oil, specifically the C8 (caprylic acid) and C10 (capric acid) versions. Avoid C12 (lauric acid) even though it’s technically an MCT, as the yeast quite enjoys it. Most MCT oils sold will tell you which types are in it, often a combination.
Note that i am strictly speaking of topical application.
Wow, MCT oil? How do you use it for hair? I buy Nutiva’s MCT oil by the gallon 🙂
I’m so excited to try your recipe for the shampoo bar. Is a conditioner needed? How would I go about making a conditioner to compliment the shampoo bar? Thanks so much for your help and guidance.
Thank you! People with short hair don’t need anything usually, but medium to longer hair benefits from an acidic rinse. I usually dilute 1/4 cup raw ACV in water, pour that over my hair (after shampooing and rinsing) and rinse out the ACV. That resets the PH of hair and leaves it soft and smooth and shiny. I’ve been using this method for years and have quite long hair and it’s worked very well 🙂
I/4 cup ACV in how much water?
Hmmm, this has me wondering if tallow would be useful in my homemade beard oil. Do you know if it would remain liquid if melted together with something like argan, jojoba, or camellia oil?
Yes, I have heard of people really liking it in a beard balm. I am guessing it wouldn’t stay liquid, but you could adjust the consistency by adjusting the amounts of tallow to liquid oils. Hope that helps!