How To Make Whipped Tallow Balm At Home
Are you ready to ditch store-bought skincare products laden with harsh chemicals? I was too, which led me to embrace homemade whipped tallow balm. This guide will show you how to create a luxurious, nourishing whipped tallow balm that deeply hydrates and nourishes your skin. We’ll explore the remarkable benefits of tallow balm and how you can personalize it with your choice of essential oils. Embrace a healthier, more glowing complexion with your very own custom-made whipped tallow balm. Say goodbye to synthetic ingredients and hello to natural, effective skincare.
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If you haven’t tried tallow on your face, I think you’ll be quite impressed with how well it matches your skin’s natural needs. Whether you have dry, oily, or combination skin, tallow will remedy what ails you.
My understanding is that oily skin is your skin telling you that it needs more oil. Conventional treatment would to tell you to dry out your skin using various products which seems like it would work but actually, your skin will come back with full force to produce more oil.
Natural oils nourish the skin and promote elasticity and reduce aging. Supplying your skin with natural fats will allow it to self-regulate and reduce the need for your skin to produce its own oil in excess to compensate, if that makes sense.
What is Tallow?
Tallow is cooked down beef fat. Also defined as rendered beef fat.
What is the Difference Between Tallow and Lard?
Tallow is rendered beef fat and lard is rendered pork fat.
The Benefits of Tallow
In addition to the delightful process of creating whipped tallow butter, it’s important to understand the various benefits that this skincare solution offers.
Tallow butter is rich in vitamins A, D, E, and K, which are essential for maintaining healthy and nourished skin. These vitamins help to promote skin regeneration, reduce inflammation, and improve overall skin health. Additionally, tallow butter is deeply moisturizing and can help soothe dry, irritated skin.
Where To Source Tallow
There are two options for sourcing tallow. You can buy beef fat from a local butcher for cheap and render it yourself, or you can usually buy a jar of tallow locally or online which is easier but can be more expensive.
How To Make Beef Tallow
Making tallow is not as intimidating as it seems. First thing to do is source beef fat, you can buy the fat itself or by saving the fatty pieces off steak. Once you have a couple pounds of beef fat, throw it in a pot on the stove at low-medium heat and let it cook down for a couple hours.
There are some different ways to do it and some nuances you’ll learn along the way but it is simple. Learn how to make tallow at home here.
How To Store Tallow
On the Counter: Store tallow in a cool, dark place in an airtight container to prevent oxidation and rancidity. It can last for many months this way.
In The Fridge: For longer storage, tallow can be refrigerated. This will extend its shelf life to a year or more.
In The Freezer: Tallow freezes well and can be kept in the freezer for several years without losing quality, however the texture may change.
Ways To Use Tallow
- Skin Care
- Cooking
- Baking
- Frying
- Candle-making
- Leather Care
Essential Oils For Tallow Face Cream
In this batch, I used sage essential oil but you can use whichever kind you prefer. Here are some others that are good for the skin:
Lavender Oil: Known for its calming and anti-inflammatory properties, lavender oil is excellent for soothing skin irritations, reducing redness, and aiding in skin repair. It’s suitable for all skin types and is helpful in treating acne, eczema, and psoriasis.
Tea Tree Oil: Known for its antimicrobial and antiseptic qualities, tea tree oil is effective in treating acne by reducing inflammation and preventing further outbreaks.
Frankincense Oil: Known for its anti-aging properties. Frankincense promotes cell regeneration, helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and skin imperfections, and evens out the skin tone.
Rose Oil: Ideal for dry or aging skin, rose oil is fantastic for moisturizing, firming, and toning the skin. It also offers antiseptic properties, which help tackle acne, redness, and inflammation.
Chamomile Oil: With its powerful anti-inflammatory properties, chamomile oil is excellent for sensitive and acne-prone skin. It helps soothe skin irritations, reduce redness, and promote a healthy glow.
Geranium Oil: This oil is great for balancing oil production and improving skin elasticity. It also helps in reducing acne breakouts, skin irritation, and skin infections due to its antibacterial properties.
Ylang-Ylang Oil: Known for balancing and regulating oil production in both dry and oily skin, ylang-ylang can improve skin texture and reduce acne.
Helichrysum Oil: Highly prized for its rejuvenating and restorative properties, helichrysum oil is excellent for promoting skin cell growth, reducing scarring, and enhancing skin barrier function.
Carrot Seed Oil: Rich in antioxidants, carrot seed oil is great for anti-aging skincare. It provides some protection against UV rays and helps to rejuvenate sun-exposed mature skin.
Peppermint Oil: Known for its cooling properties, peppermint oil can soothe irritation, reduce redness, and improve oily skin.
Other Oils
Vitamin C Oil: Vitamin C oil is a worthy addition to skin care for a bounty of reasons. It is essential for collagen production, rich in anti-oxidants, repairs and hydrates skin, reduces inflammation, and supports healthy sun exposure.
Calendula Oil: Calendula oil is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, making it excellent for soothing irritated skin conditions like eczema and dermatitis. It promotes wound healing by enhancing blood flow to the affected area, accelerating skin repair. Rich in antioxidants, calendula oil protects the skin from oxidative damage and premature aging. It also hydrates and nourishes the skin, enhancing its overall resilience and appearance.
Neem Oil: Neem oil is celebrated for its potent antifungal and antibacterial properties, effectively treating skin infections and acne. Rich in antioxidants, it helps combat aging by promoting cell regeneration, while its moisturizing qualities deeply nourish the skin. Additionally, its anti-inflammatory effects soothe irritation and redness, aiding in the management of conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
Storing and Using Your Homemade Whipped Tallow Balm
When it comes to storing your homemade whipped tallow butter, it’s important to keep it in an airtight container in a cool, dry place to maintain its freshness and consistency. Avoid exposing it to direct sunlight or extreme temperatures to prevent it from melting or becoming rancid. Additionally, make sure to use clean hands or a utensil to scoop out the butter to prevent contamination.
As for using your whipped tallow butter, a little goes a long way. Massage a small amount onto clean, dry skin, focusing on areas that need extra moisture or nourishment.
Allow the butter to absorb into your skin before getting dressed to avoid any greasy residue.
I use this whipped tallow balm as an after-shower moisturizer for face, legs, feet, and all! Incorporate it into your skincare routine as you like, whether it’s for daily moisturizing, soothing dry patches, or providing relief to irritated skin.
Tips for Achieving the Perfect Consistency and Texture
To achieve the perfect consistency and texture when making whipped tallow butter at home isn’t hard. The main tip is to make sure that your tallow is at the right temperature before whipping. If it’s too cold, it will be difficult to achieve a smooth and creamy texture. On the other hand, if it’s too warm, the butter may become too runny.
Ingredients You’ll Need For Whipped Tallow Balm
Tallow: Either rendered yourself or purchased from somewhere else.
Carrier Oil: You can use any kind of neutral, natural oil. I would recommend jojoba, sweet almond, olive, or avocado oil.
Essential Oils: Whichever essential oil(s) you choose, recommendations above.
Materials You’ll Need
Small Saucepan: With water in it to make the bottom part of a double boiler.
Medium-size Stainless Steel Bowl: To place over your small saucepan for the top half of a double boiler.
Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer with Whisk Attachment: For whipping the butter.
8oz Glass Jar with a Lid: For storing the whipped butter.
How To Make Whipped Tallow Balm
Scale the Tallow:
Begin by measuring your tallow and oil into a metal bowl.
Set Up a Double Boiler:
Add about 1 cup of water to a saucepan and place it on medium-high heat. Then, place your bowl of tallow and oil on top of the saucepan, ensuring it sits comfortably above the simmering water, to act as a double boiler. This will allow the tallow to melt without direct heat.
Melt the Tallow:
Let the tallow melt completely until it is liquid. Stir occasionally to ensure it melts evenly.
Cool the Tallow and Add Carrier Oil:
Once the tallow has melted, remove it from the heat and add your carrier oil. Then let it cool on the counter for an hour or more. It should cool to a semi-hardened state.
Add Essential Oils:
Once the tallow has semi-hardened, add your desired essential oils (such as lavender, tea tree, or rosemary) for scent and skin benefits.
Whip the Tallow:
Using a hand mixer, begin whipping the cooled tallow.
Achieve Desired Consistency:
Continue to whip until it reaches a fluffy, whipped consistency that is light and smooth.
Store the Whipped Tallow Balm:
Once your balm is ready, scoop it into a clean jar or container for storage.
Apply as Needed:
Apply the whipped tallow balm to dry skin, hands, or feet for deep hydration and nourishment. Enjoy the natural benefits of this rich, soothing balm!
Homemade Whipped Tallow Balm
Equipment
- Small Saucepan
- Medium Mixing Bowl
- Hand Mixer with a whisk attachment
Ingredients
- 200 g Tallow
- 50 g Carrier Oil jojoba, sweet almond, olive, avocado, etc.
- 25 drops Essential Oil
- 10 drops Optional Oil rose hip, vitamin E, vitamin C, neem oil, etc.
Instructions
- Scale the Tallow: Begin by measuring your tallow and oil into a metal bowl.
- Set Up a Double Boiler: Add about 1 cup of water to a saucepan and place it on medium-high heat. Then, place your bowl of tallow and oil on top of the saucepan, ensuring it sits comfortably above the simmering water, to act as a double boiler. This will allow the tallow to melt without direct heat.
- Melt the Tallow: Let the tallow melt completely until it is liquid. Stir occasionally to ensure it melts evenly.
- Cool the Tallow and Add Carrier Oil: Once the tallow has melted, remove it from the heat and add your carrier oil. Then let it cool on the counter for an hour or more. It should cool to a semi-hardened state.
- Add Essential Oils: Once the tallow has semi-hardened, add your desired essential oils (such as lavender, tea tree, or rosemary) for scent and skin benefits.
- Whip the Tallow: Using a hand mixer, begin whipping the cooled tallow.
- Achieve Desired Consistency: Continue to whip until the tallow reaches a fluffy, whipped consistency that is light and smooth.
- Store the Whipped Tallow Balm: Once your balm is ready, scoop it into a clean jar or container for storage.
- Apply as Needed: Apply the whipped tallow balm to dry skin, hands, or feet for deep hydration and nourishment. Enjoy the natural benefits of this rich, soothing balm!
Recommended Reading
Curious why you use a hand mixer rather than a KitchenAid, or is it just your personal preference?
I have a large kitchen aid so it doesn’t work as well for the small amount. I also like the control I have with a hand mixer 🙂