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I have been using tallow in skincare for years now, and I am so excited to share with you my simple tallow balm recipe! Affordable, all-natural, and customizable to your skin needs. Enjoy!

Homemade tallow balm in am amber jar on a wooden backdrop.
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Making your own tallow balm is super easy, plus much lower in terms of cost compared to buying a tallow balm in-store, and you get to control how you fragrance it. 

Why pay a premium if you don’t have to, I say!

I think it’s comforting and somewhat empowering when you know exactly what you’re putting on your skin too, which is why I love all kinds of DIY beauty products.

In this article, you’ll learn how to make your own tallow balm. From scenting the balm, tips for making it the right texture, and how to store and use it. 

I am finally making this post after many requests following my popular Tallow Body Butter recipe. I think it turned out amazingly!

Let’s get started.

Homemade tallow balm in an amber jar on a wooden board.

Why You’ll Love Tallow Balm

  • Moisturize naturally: This recipe uses simple, natural ingredients to moisturize the skin. You can enjoy healthy, glowing skin without anything fancy or harsh.
  • Save money: Tallow is increasingly popular in skincare and it can carry a hefty price tag. You’ll save loads of money by making your own tallow balm!
  • Easy to make: Can you believe this hydrating balm is made with only 3 ingredients?! That’s all it takes to make homemade tallow balm that nourishes and moisturizes your skin.
  • Eco-friendly: Homemade tallow balm is as eco-friendly as it gets! Not only can you reuse your tallow balm jar and reduce plastic waste, but tallow is a byproduct of meat production, so you are turning common “waste” into skincare gold.

Ingredients

Tallow balm ingredients assembled on a white table.

How to Make Tallow Balm

Melting tallow balm ingredients in a double boiler.

Step 1: Begin by melting the beeswax, tallow, and jojoba oil in a double boiler.

Stirring melted tallow balm ingredients.

Step 2: Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly.

Dropping essential oils into a bowl of tallow balm.

Step 3: Stir it every couple of minutes to ensure the ingredients are well incorporated. Add the essential oils, if using.

Whipping tallow balm with a hand mixer.

Step 4. Once the mixture starts to set up, but isn’t yet firm, whip it with an immersion blender or hand mixer. Transfer to an airtight container.

Tips

  • Wipe out the double boiler with a paper towel while it’s still warm but not hot before washing it out. You don’t want any beeswax going down your drain, as it’ll set and potentially block your pipes. 
  • Rather than a doubler boiler, you can use a glass bowl set atop a pot of water and bring it to a boil. You can also use a saucepan set over low heat, but it will take longer and you’ll need to be careful not to let it burn.
  • For an unbeatable anti-aging tool, apply the balm upwardly over your cheeks, chin, forehead, and between your brows. Give yourself a mini face massage, in essence, which promotes blood flow to the area and helps iron out fine lines

Essential Oils for Tallow Balm

If you like scented lotions and balms, you can add a few drops of your favorite essential oil for fragrance. 

I like to start with 15 drops and then add more if needed. Don’t add too much; you don’t want the scent to be overpowering. 

Here are a few of my favorite blends for this tallow balm recipe:

Sweet floral

  • Roman chamomile
  • Ylang ylang

Flower petal

  • Lavender
  • Geranium

Citrus bloom

  • Tangerine
  • Grapefruit

Check with your healthcare provider before adding essential oils to any skincare products.

Applying tallow balm using two fingers.

How to Use Tallow Balm

To use this tallow balm, scoop a small amount onto your fingertips and massage it into your skin. 

The balm will melt on contact and absorb quickly, so you can apply more if your skin needs it. 

Storage

First, ensure you put the lid on correctly once you’ve made your tallow balm and it’s cooled down. 

Store your tallow balm somewhere cool, away from sunlight and heat sources. 

It should last in the container for up to six months – though I expect it’ll have been well used before then, and you’ll be onto your second batch!

Holding up a jar or homemade tallow balm.

Recipe FAQs

Is tallow balm good for the skin?

If you don’t mind using animal products on your skin and are after a moisturizing, nurturing, 100% natural ingredient that shouldn’t clog pores or cause breakout, then yes! Tallow balm is a great option for the skin.
Of course, there are alternative vegan options available, such as this whipped mango body butter recipe.

What’s the difference between tallow and lard?

Both tallow and lard are rendered animal fats. However, tallow typically comes from beef and lard comes from pork. Both fats are used for cooking, soap, and skincare. I’ve made homemade lard soap and many tallow products, including this balm and homemade tallow soap!

How can I make this more creamy?

You can follow the instructions as written, but skip the beeswax to achieve a creamier texture. This will give it a consistency more like a face cream, rather than a balm. I have personally made it that way several times and love it!

Related Recipes

If you tried this Easy Tallow Balm Recipe or any other tutorial on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!

4.59 from 17 votes

Easy Tallow Balm Recipe

Prep: 5 minutes
Active: 20 minutes
Additional Time: 30 minutes
Total: 55 minutes
Yield: 6 ounces
Discover the secret to radiant skin with this DIY Tallow Balm Recipe!

Equipment

  • Double Boiler
  • 8 ounce storage container
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Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • Begin by melting the beeswax, tallow, and jojoba oil in a double boiler.
  • Once melted, remove from the heat and let it cool down until it starts to set up. Stir it every couple of minutes to ensure the ingredients are well incorporated.
  • If using essential oils, add them in right before the ingredients start to solidify.
  • Once the mixture is set up but not firm, whip it with an immersion blender or hand mixer. Transfer to an airtight container and allow to cool completely before using.

Video

Notes

  • If you use essential oils, be sure to add them before the ingredients are set up.
  • Store this tallow balm in a cool place out of direct sunlight. 
  • Wipe out the double boiler with a paper towel while it’s still warm but not hot before washing it out. You don’t want any beeswax going down your drain, as it’ll set and potentially block your pipes.
  • Rather than a doubler boiler, you can use a glass bowl set atop a pot of water and bring it to a boil. You can also use a saucepan set over low heat, but it will take longer and you’ll need to be careful not to let it burn.
  • For an unbeatable anti-aging tool, apply the balm upwardly over your cheeks, chin, forehead, and between your brows. Give yourself a mini face massage, in essence!
  •  
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Tried this recipe?Mention @our_oily_house or tag #ouroilyhouse!
This recipe is for your own viewing pleasure and is not meant for healing purposes. Readers must perform their own research and tests before making any recipe.

About Laura

Welcome to Our Oily House, I’m so glad you’re here! Explore DIY cleaners, homemade soaps, skincare and hair care recipes, fragrance-free solutions, and sustainable laundry tips for a naturally inspired home.

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4.59 from 17 votes (15 ratings without comment)

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15 Comments

  1. Tracy says:

    5 stars
    I have tried several and I do mean several recipes for my Tallow, ratios were never quite right or did not appeal to me. I did make mine into a whip formula and it is silky, stiff and glides on without a heavy grease feeling.
    This is my all go to for now and not to mention you have the tab to select for multiple batch sizes. It not that I can’t figure it out but the convenience is great.
    Thank you again

    1. Laura says:

      That’s so wonderful to hear!