How to Make Whipped Tallow Balm (Beginner Friendly Recipe)

There's a good reason tallow balm has become one of the most talked about skincare products in recent years. Rich in naturally occurring fatty acids and incredibly nourishing for dry skin, tallow has been used for centuries as a traditional skincare ingredient.

While tallow on its own makes a beautiful balm, combining it with luxurious oils and butters creates a lighter, softer and more elegant product that's easy to apply and a pleasure to use.

Our beginner-friendly whipped tallow balm recipe is perfect for anyone looking to create their own nourishing skincare at home.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Light and fluffy whipped texture.

• Beautiful for dry and mature skin.

• Easy to customise with your favourite oils.

• Beginner friendly.

• Makes approximately 200g of whipped balm.

Ingredients

• 100g Tallow (rendered and purified)

• 50g Shea Butter

• 30g Jojoba Oil

• 15g Rosehip Oil

• 5g Vitamin E Oil

Optional:

• 15-20 drops Lavender Essential Oil

• 10 drops Roman Chamomile Essential Oil

• 5 drops Frankincense Essential Oil

Equipment

• Digital scales

• Heatproof glass jug or bowl

• Saucepan for a double boiler

• Electric hand mixer or stand mixer

• Silicone spatula

• 2 x 100ml jars or tins

Method

Step One - Melt Your Ingredients

Add the tallow and shea butter to a heatproof bowl and gently melt using a double boiler over low heat. Avoid overheating your ingredients as excessive heat can affect some of their beneficial properties.

Once melted, remove from the heat and stir through the jojoba oil, rosehip oil and Vitamin E oil.

Allow the mixture to cool slightly before adding your essential oils if using.

Step Two - Chill the Mixture

Place the bowl into the fridge for approximately 30-45 minutes or until the mixture begins to turn opaque around the edges. You're looking for a soft, custard-like consistency rather than allowing it to become completely solid.

Step Three - Whip Until Light and Fluffy

Using an electric mixer, whip the mixture for 3-5 minutes until it becomes noticeably lighter in colour and develops a beautiful fluffy texture.

If the mixture becomes too soft during whipping simply return it to the fridge for another 10 minutes before continuing.

Step Four - Pot Your Balm

Spoon the whipped tallow balm into clean, dry jars or tins and allow it to fully set before placing the lids on.

Stored correctly, your balm will remain beautifully soft and creamy at room temperature.

Why We've Chosen These Ingredients

Tallow

Tallow is naturally rich in fatty acids that help soften and condition the skin. Many people love its rich, nourishing feel, particularly during the colder months.

Shea Butter

Shea butter helps create a softer, creamier balm while providing additional moisturising benefits.

Jojoba Oil

One of our favourite skincare oils, jojoba oil is lightweight, easily absorbed and suitable for most skin types.

Rosehip Oil

Rosehip oil is well loved in facial skincare formulations and pairs beautifully with richer ingredients like tallow and shea butter.

Vitamin E Oil

Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant while also helping to support the overall stability of your formulation.

Customise Your Balm

One of the best things about making your own skincare is being able to tailor it to your preferences.

For Relaxation

Try adding:

• Lavender Essential Oil

• Roman Chamomile Essential Oil

• Frankincense Essential Oil

For Dry Winter Skin

Consider including:

• Avocado Oil

• Sweet Almond Oil

• Sea Buckthorn Oil (at low percentages)

• Calendula Infused Oil

For Mature Skin

Beautiful additions include:

• Rosehip Oil

• Bakuchiol

• Coenzyme Q10

• Hyaluronic Acid (oil dispersible versions only where appropriate)

Storage

Store your whipped tallow balm in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Because this recipe contains no water, it doesn't require a broad-spectrum preservative. Always use clean, dry fingers or a cosmetic spatula when applying your balm.

A Few Tips Before You Start

• Don't overheat your oils and butters.

• Whipping creates volume, so don't skip this step.

• Allow your mixture to partially set before whipping for the best texture.

• Small batches are perfect when experimenting with different oils and essential oil combinations.

• Always patch test new skincare products before use.

Making your own skincare is one of the most rewarding DIY projects, and whipped tallow balm is a wonderful place to start. Whether you keep it beautifully simple or customise it with luxurious botanical oils and essential oils, you'll have a rich and nourishing balm that's uniquely yours.

Happy making!