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by Kaitlynn Fenley
written by Kaitlynn Fenley
Jump to Recipe· 4.5 from 2 reviews
Tallow balm is whipped beef fat used as moisturizer. It is biodynamic and wonderful for skin health. Tallow is organically compatible with with our skin, because the fat composition of tallow is similar to human sebum. It locks in moisture and nutrients without clogging your pores. I used tallow balm to help heal my eczema for good, and I’ve continued to use it for six years.
What is Tallow Balm?
Tallow balm is whipped beef fat used as moisturizer. Simply put, it’s a silky smooth moisturizer that helps keep your skin nourished and hydrated! It’s the only moisturizer I currently use, and it was vital to keeping my skin healthy while I healed my eczema naturally. The ingredients are minimal and it’s preservative free… so it’s WONDERFUL for skin and microbiome health.
What are the benefits of tallow balm?
Tallow balm made from the rendered fat of grass fed cows, contains minerals and vitamins A, D, E, K, and B12, which are all beneficial for skin health and appearance. Beef fat is organically compatible with with our skin, because the fat composition of tallow is similar to human sebum. It locks in moisture and nutrients without clogging your pores.
Beef Tallow Balm
Tallow is balm is made from rendered beef fat. I get my beef fat from our local farm/butcher shop, Iverstiens. Local shops are a more sustainable option because they focus on providing high quality and natural meat products to the local community. They take the best care of their animals and they are VERY transparent about their agriculture practices.
I’ve also used Epic brand tallow to make my tallow balm before and it worked great!
Beef Tallow Face Cream Recipe for Eczema
My skin care routine is pretty simple. You can read the full details about my skin care routine in this blog, where I discuss how I cared for my skin during and after steroid cream withdrawal.
Simplifying my skin care routine had the best impact on my skin health. So now I have a basic rule: If I’d have to call poison control if I ingested a skincare product, I absolutely will not put it on my skin. Plain and simple. I usually use Toups and Co. Organics tallow balm, but it’s way more affordable for me to make my own. We’ve been trying to cut down on our spending a lot this year, and since I use so much of this balm this is a great way for us to save lots of money. It cost me an estimated $1.70 to make my own four ounce jar.
Other Skincare Blogs to Read
- Natural Ways to Cure Eczema
- My Natural Eczema Skincare Routine That Healed My Skin
- My Eczema Diet Plan and The Best Probiotics for Eczema
Tallow Balm Recipe for Eczema Relief
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4.5 from 2 reviews
Tallow balm is whipped beef fat used as moisturizer. It is biodynamic and wonderful for skin health. Tallow is organically compatible with with our skin, because the fat composition of tallow is similar to human sebum. It locks in moisture and nutrients without clogging your pores. I used tallow balm to help heal my eczema for good, and I’ve continued to use it for six years.
- Author: Kaitlynn Fenley
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 10 ounces
- Category: skincare
- Method: mixing
Ingredients
- 1/2 Cup Grass Fed Tallow
- 1/4 Cup Organic Cold Pressed Olive Oil
- Frankincense, Ylang Ylang, Rosehip, and Chamomile Essential Oils (OR any essential oils you prefer, this is just the combo I came up with.)
- Stand mixer or Electric hand mixer for whipping.
Instructions
- In a glass bowl, melt the tallow over a small pot of boiling water.
- Once the tallow is melted, let it cool for approximately 10 minutes.
- Add in the 1/4 cup of olive oil.
- Begin whipping the oil mixture using a stand mixer or electric hand mixer. As the mixture gets back to a cool room temperature it will being to turn white and solidify. The mixing adds air into it so that it’s a spreadable, lotion consistency. I generally have to whip it for about 20 minutes.
- Continue to whip the mixture as it solidifies and add in the essential oils. I used 2 drops of each oil listed in the ingredients.
- The consistency should look and feel similar to whipped body butter (or like whipped buttercream frosting).
- Using a rubber spatula, transfer the whipped tallow balm to a small jar and store it in a cool dark place. I keep mine in my nightstand drawer.
Kaitlynn Fenley Author, Educator, Food Microbiologist
Kaitlynn is a food microbiologist and fermentation expert teaching people how to ferment foods and drinks at home.
See Full Bio
fermentation food microbiology sourdough sauerkraut fermenting at home fermented foods fermented drinks
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14 comments
Leeritta Christian August 29, 2020 - 4:09 am
Hello I just stumbled across you blog and I’m do thankful that I did! I’ve been up all night researching cause abs cures for eczema. My son has terrible eczema and nothing has helped so far. I will start with changing his diet and healing his gut. But what can I use to soothe his skin? I do not feel that The Eucerin is healing or helping. What type of moisturizer did you use on your body while healing your eczema? Is the tallow only for face?
Your blog has been extremely informative and helpful during this process. Also, I’m looking forward to trying your kimchee! I hope my 2 year old wil eat it to heal his eczema! ?
Thank you so much for the info!
Reply
Kaitlynn Fenley August 29, 2020 - 3:01 pm
Hey there, I used Toups and Co.Organics tallow balm for my face and body while healing my own eczema! Glad to hear that the blog posts have been helpful for you!
Reply
Rachel July 19, 2022 - 8:51 am
Thankyou for recipe. I am going to try on my daughter who has had eczema since she was born and nothing has worked. Healing her gut health is the first priority then this to follow.
Just wondering how long will this keep for at room temperature ? Will it solidly in cold weather…currently wintertime here in Australia.
Reply
Kaitlynn Fenley July 19, 2022 - 9:11 am
It keeps for at least 6 months… I usually use the whole amount this recipe makes in about that time. Since it is whipped, it will become more firm at cold temperatures, but it will keep it’s light spreadable texture.
Reply
Melissa December 6, 2020 - 11:18 pm
Hi, thanks for all of the info on your website, it’s very helpful. My daughter has moderate to severe eczema and we’ve of course been through the whole range of eczema lotions. We’ve been using the take you recommend, but since she’s 4 and this goes on her entire body, we have been going through it at an unsustainable rate. I’m going to make a batch myself using your recipe (without essential oils because they can be irritating for her) and I’m wondering if you have experimented using other oils to prepare this. The reason I ask, is that when she was a baby, adding safflower oil to her bath was soothing for her skin. At the time I recall reading that it has particular attributes that may be helpful to eczema. Any thoughts would be helpful. Thanks!
Reply
Kaitlynn Fenley December 7, 2020 - 7:23 am
Hey there! I have not experimented with any other oils. This is the only recipe I’ve made. You’re welcome to experiment with safflower oil, but that’s up to you, and I don’t know how it will turn out. I assume if the oil consistency is similar to olive oil the balm texture should come out fine.
I only write about my own, personal eczema healing journey, and my own experience with products here. I do not provide personalized instruction or recommendations on how to treat other’s eczema.
Reply
Melissa December 8, 2020 - 11:15 am
Thanks for your reply! I know how problematic it can be sharing eczema treatments. Everyone reacts differently and I thank you for sharing what worked for you, even if it doesn’t wind up working for us. Thanks again!
Reply
Penny February 14, 2021 - 11:58 am
This is an excellent article. Thank you for sharing your journal Kaitlynn. I am a licensed Manicurist/Pedicurist having several clients with psoriasis &/or eczema. Finding treatments for them has been an amazing journey. Just recently stumbling across Tallow is an exciting adventure in itself. There are many carrier oils that help with inflammation and pain, one of them being Hemp Seed oil. Just want to share food for thought…Edens Garden Essential Oil company has a phenomenal bank of information on their carrier oils.
Reply
Kaitlynn Fenley February 15, 2021 - 10:45 am
Thank you and you are welcome! I’ve heard a lot of good things about hemp seed oil. Thanks for the tips!
Reply
Stacey August 29, 2021 - 8:46 am
Helpful recipe! Thank for sharing. I’ve started making my tallow but wondering if the microwaving of the tallow to heat it up will destroy the structure of any of beneficial ingredients?
Reply
Kaitlynn Fenley September 9, 2021 - 1:59 pm
I’m unsure how microwaving influences the structures of the beneficial fats in the tallow. If you have any aversion to microwaving, just heat it up using the double boiler method.
Reply
Brittany November 26, 2022 - 10:22 am
I rendered my own tallow especially for this recipe. It turned out so great! I tripled the recipe easily. Will save so much money. Thank you!
Reply
Samantha January 22, 2024 - 8:52 am
Hi! Does the olive oil have to be cold pressed? Thanks.
Reply
Kaitlynn Fenley January 22, 2024 - 10:21 am
other olive oil will work fine, cold pressed is best.
Reply
