I'm always amazed that in a world filled with countless skincare products, it's natural alternatives that offer the most benefits. One of my favorites is tallow lotion. Tallow is a nutrient-rich skin remedy that's been used for centuries. This natural wonder goes beyond just moisturizing, offering a range of surprising benefits that can improve your skin, reduce inflammation, and heal.
What Is Tallow & Why You Should Put It On Your Skin
Tallow is animal fat that has been rendered or cooked down to remove impurities. The fat that's left can be used for cooking, skin care, candles, and more. It's a beige / off-white color with a consistency like butter, lard, or coconut oil -- it's a liquid when it's heated and hardens when cool.
Benefits of Tallow:
- free of common allergens including dairy, soy, & nuts
- packed with vitamins A, D, E, and K, along with essential fatty acids (including omega 3 & 6, oleic, & stearic) making it moisturizing & healing
- the molecular structure is similar to that of sebum, our skin's natural oil, allowing it to be easily absorbed
- it's non-comedogenic, meaning tallow doesn't clog pores or cause acne
Uses for Tallow:
- cooking -- use as a substitute for oil and butter
- dry / chapped skin
- suburn
- diaper rash
- lotion, body butters, lotion bars
- candle making
- soap (learn how to make melt & pour soap without lye here)
- oil cleansing (learn how to master the oil cleansing method here)
- sugar & salt scrubs (learn how to make custom salt & sugar scrubs here)
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What Type of Tallow to Use, Where to Get It, & How to Make It
Tallow is made from beef or sheep fat. Lard is made from pork fat. For skin care & to maximize the nutrients, use grass fed beef tallow.
- I purchase grass fed beef tallow from my local dairy
- Find grass fed beef tallow on amazon here
- Easily render tallow from beef suet from your local butcher or farmer:
- ask your butcher to grind the beef suet for you or cut or grind in a food processor yourself until it is in small pieces
- put in a slow cooker on low
- allow to cook for several hours stirring occasionally (how long it takes to render will depend on the amount of fat you have)
- it will crackle and pop as it cooks down
- when the crackling stops, you should have a liquid with some crispy bits on the bottom
- strain the liquid through a cheesecloth
- pour the liquid into a jar and store in the fridge or freezer
- use to cook with and make lotion
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How to Make Tallow Lotion & Whipped Body Butter
Grass fed tallow by itself is a great nourishing & moisturizing lotion. However, by itself it can be a thick and it doesn't have the best scent. Mix it with oils with a thinner consistency and essential oils to make a lotion or body butter.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup of organic tallow from grass-fed cows (homemade, from your local farmer, or order here)
- 1/4 cup of solid oil like organic coconut oil, shea butter, or cocoa butter
- 1/4 cup of liquid oil like organic olive oil, grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, or apricot oil
- 30 drops of skin friendly essential oils
- Get the best deal and a discount code here
- My favorite skin friendly essential oils are:
Instructions:
- In a double boiler or a glass bowl placed over a pan of hot water, gently melt the tallow, solid oil of choice, and liquid oil of choice until fully combined.
- Remove from heat and let the mixture cool slightly before adding the essential oils. Stir well.
- Transfer the mixture to a clean, airtight container such as a glass jar.
- Allow the lotion to solidify at room temperature or accelerate the process by placing it in the refrigerator for a few hours.
- Once solidified, your homemade tallow lotion is ready to use! Apply a small amount to your skin and massage gently until absorbed. Remember, a little goes a long way.
For a Whipped Body Butter:
- After you add the essential oils and mix, put your mix in a bowl in the fridge until it is almost solid.
- Whip with a handheld mixer until it's fluffy.
- Put in an airtight container and use as you would any lotion.
Notes:
- Your lotion is shelf stable at room temperature for about 6 months.
- You can store your lotion in the fridge to make it last longer or to keep it at a more solid consistency.
- Use as you would any lotion and use as a healing balm.
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