How to Make Whipped Tallow Balm

You may have seen a big influx of people raving about the benefits of tallow balm on the internet recently, and they are raving for good reason! Tallow balm boasts many benefits and is one of the most moisturizing products you can put on your skin. There are a few reasons why tallow is a great option for those suffering with dry skin and general skin care, so let’s get into it.

What is Tallow?

Simply put, tallow is beef fat. The tallow that is used for skincare is beef fat that has been rendered multiple times to remove all the impurities and to make it smell more neutral. The more your render, the more neutral it gets. It is likely that when you buy tallow to make your own balm, you will want to render it once or twice more, as the tallow you get from the store or from a farm is usually rendered for the use of cooking, not skincare. 

The Benefits of Tallow 

Grass-fed beef tallow is chock full of vitamins like A, D, K, and B12 and minerals that help your skin stay deeply moisturized and looking its best and is great for those with dry skin. It also has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties which can make tallow an amazing option for those with sensitive skin. 

Why Make Tallow Balm at Home

You can absolutely buy tallow balm from a natural skincare brand, but it tends to be very expensive. A normal price for a 2-ounce jar of tallow balm is between $20-$30. If you make your own whipped tallow balm at home, there is some initial investment in ingredients, but the price per oz will be exponentially cheaper. In this recipe, the estimated price per ounce is under $2.50.

How Long Does Tallow Balm Last 

While there is no exact shelf life, a good rule of thumb is that you should use your balm within a year. Some say it’s shelf stable up to 5 months, but generally it can last up to a year or longer, especially with the addition of essential oils that keep the tallow balm fresh for longer. However, you will want to store your balm in a cool dark place away from heat to make it last.

How to Purify/Render Tallow

Purifying tallow is easy and can be done with any store or farm bought tallow you find. By purifying your tallow further, the aim is to get rid of more of the smell and impurities. To do this, use one cup of water per 6 oz tallow and simmer with 1 tablespoon of kosher salt. You will want to keep it simmering on low for about an hour, making sure to refill the water as needed. If the water gets too low it can be dangerous and start to pop, so keep an eye out. Once the hour is up, pour the tallow and water into a bowl and let it separate and harden. Once the tallow is hard, remove it from the bowl and dry it off. If there are any dark specs on impurities on the bottom of the tallow, scrape them off. If you want to purify it even further, do this process again. 

How to Make Whipped Tallow Balm 

Step 1 – Melt your tallow  

First, melt your tallow using the double boiler method. Simply put your tallow in a heat proof bowl over a pot of boiling water and let it melt. 

Step 2 – Add oil and whisk 

Take your tallow off the heat and let it rest for 5 minutes. Next, add 1 tablespoon of the oil of your choosing. You want it to be an oil that is liquid at room temperature, like olive, sweet almond, or jojoba. Now, with your electric whisk on low to medium speed, start whisking your tallow and oil. It will start to go cloudy if it is not already. Keep whisking for 5 minutes. 

Step 3 – Add essential oil

After 5 minutes, add 10- 20 drops of your essential oil of choice. Continue to whisk for another 5 minutes. 

Step 4 – Finishing up 

At this point, your balm will start to look nice and soft and have a lotion like texture. We want it to be a bit stiffer, so continue to whisk until there are noticeable peaks in your balm. If you’re a baker, it will look like soft peaks when beating egg whites. Decant your balm into a jar and it is ready to use. I found that once my balm sat overnight in a cool place, it thickened up and resembled buttercream. This is the ideal texture.