Easy Homemade Beef Tallow Lotion Recipe

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Making your own skincare products can be both rewarding and cost-effective. This Easy Homemade Beef Tallow Lotion Recipe is perfect for those who prefer natural ingredients and want to avoid toxic ingredients found in many store-bought lotions. Beef tallow, especially when sourced from grass-fed cows, is packed with beneficial nutrients for your skin. Let’s dive into this simple and effective recipe!

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Ingredients Breakdown for Easy Homemade Beef Tallow Lotion Recipe

Beef Tallow (12 oz)

Source

Preferably from grass-fed cows or a local farmer.

Benefits

Beef tallow is a highly nourishing fat, rich in vitamins A, D, E, and K, which are essential for skin health. These fat-soluble vitamins help to keep your skin moisturized, soft, and glowing. Tallow also contains stearic acid and oleic acid, which are similar to the natural oils found in human skin, making it easily absorbed and beneficial for restoring and maintaining the skin’s natural barrier. The anti-inflammatory properties of beef tallow make it excellent for soothing skin irritations and conditions such as eczema and diaper rash. Beef tallow is also an excellent ingredient to use in homemade diaper rash salve.

Avocado Oil (4 oz)

Benefits

Avocado oil is packed with vitamins A, D, and E, and is known for its ability to deeply moisturize and nourish the skin. It contains linoleic acid, which helps to maintain the skin’s moisture barrier, and oleic acid, which promotes collagen production and accelerates the healing process. The combination of these fatty acids makes avocado oil a great choice for improving skin texture and reducing inflammation. It’s especially beneficial for dry or mature skin.

Arrowroot Powder (1 tbsp)

Benefits

Arrowroot powder is used in the recipe to reduce the greasy feel of the lotion. It absorbs excess oil, leaving a smoother and less oily finish on the skin. Arrowroot is also known for its ability to soothe irritated skin and provide a silky texture to lotions and creams.

Essential Oils (20 drops, optional)

Benefits

Adding essential oils to your lotion can provide additional skin benefits and a pleasant fragrance. Essential oils like lavender, chamomile, and tea tree oil have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and soothing properties, making them great choices for skincare. Always start with a small amount and gradually increase to your desired fragrance strength, ensuring the essential oils are safe for your skin type.

Optional Ingredients for Enhanced Benefits

Olive Oil

If you want to add extra moisturizing properties, olive oil is a great addition. It’s rich in antioxidants and vitamins, and it helps to soothe and hydrate the skin.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has antimicrobial properties and adds a lovely scent and additional moisturizing benefits to the lotion. Careful to not add too much as it can be drying.

Shea Butter

Shea butter is excellent for dry skin and adds a creamy texture to the lotion. It’s packed with vitamins and fatty acids that nourish and protect the skin.

Choosing Quality Ingredients

Grass-Fed Tallow

Always opt for grass-fed beef tallow (if possible) to ensure you’re getting the highest quality fat with the most nutrients.

High-Quality Oils

Use cold-pressed, organic oils whenever possible to maximize the health benefits and ensure no harmful chemicals are present.

Pure Essential Oils

Make sure your essential oils are 100% pure and free from additives or synthetic ingredients.

Using high-quality ingredients ensures that your homemade beef tallow lotion is as effective and beneficial for your skin as possible. These ingredients work together to create a deeply moisturizing, nourishing, and soothing lotion perfect for everyday use.

Supplies Needed for Easy Homemade Beef Tallow Lotion

Double Boiler

A double boiler is essential for gently melting the beef tallow without exposing it to direct heat, which could degrade its beneficial properties. The indirect heat from the double boiler ensures the tallow melts evenly and maintains its nutrient content. If you don’t have a double boiler, you can easily make one using a heatproof bowl and a pot. Fill the pot with 1-2 inches of water and bring it to a simmer over medium heat, then place the heatproof bowl on top, making sure it doesn’t touch the water.

Mixing Bowl

You’ll need a mixing bowl to combine the melted tallow and avocado oil, and later to whip the mixture with arrowroot powder. Stainless steel or glass bowls are preferable as they are easy to clean and don’t react with the ingredients. Personally I just use the mixing bowl from my stand mixer to cut down on how many dishes I have to do later.

Stand Mixer

A stand mixer with a whisk attachment is ideal for whipping the tallow mixture into a creamy, almost whipped consistency. If you don’t have a stand mixer, a hand mixer can also work, but it might take a bit longer to achieve the desired texture.

Whisk Attachment

The whisk attachment on your stand mixer is crucial for incorporating air into the tallow mixture, resulting in a light and fluffy lotion. It ensures that the arrowroot powder is evenly distributed and helps to achieve a smooth texture.

Glass Jars

Store your finished lotion in glass jars to keep it fresh and free from contaminants. Glass jars are non-reactive and help preserve the integrity of the lotion. They also make it easy to scoop out the lotion when needed. Two 8 oz jars are ideal for this recipe, but you can use different sizes depending on your preference.  Wide mouth mason jars are a great option as well.  If you would like to gift these, I use these 4oz jars and I am able to get 4 total using this recipe.

Freezer

The freezer is used to cool the tallow mixture quickly, allowing the edges to solidify. This step makes it easier to whip the mixture into a creamy consistency.

Spatula or Spoon

A spatula or spoon is useful for stirring the tallow and avocado oil together and for transferring the finished lotion into jars. Silicone spatulas are particularly useful because they can scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl efficiently.

Measuring Cups and Spoons

Accurate measurements are important to ensure the right consistency and texture of your lotion. Use measuring cups and spoons to measure out the beef tallow, avocado oil, arrowroot powder, and essential oils.

Aluminum Foil

You may need aluminum foil to cover the bowl when placing it in the freezer. This helps to prevent any contamination and keeps the mixture clean.

Essential Oils (Optional)

If you want to scent your lotion, essential oils are necessary. These should be added during the whipping stage. Make sure to use high-quality, pure essential oils to avoid any skin irritation.

Additional Supplies for Convenience (optional)

• Silicone Spatula: A silicone spatula is excellent for scraping down the sides of the bowl and ensuring all ingredients are well mixed.
• Label and Marker: For labeling your jars with the date and contents, helping you keep track of the shelf life of your lotion.
• Pipette: If you are adding essential oils, a pipette can help you measure and add the precise number of drops needed.

Instructions for Easy Homemade Beef Tallow Lotion

Melt the Beef Tallow

Place 12 oz of beef tallow in the top part of a double boiler. Heat over very low heat until completely melted. This process ensures that the tallow melts gently without burning, preserving its beneficial properties.

Add the Avocado Oil

Remove the melted tallow from the heat and add 4 oz of avocado oil. Stir well to combine. Avocado oil is rich in vitamins and fatty acids, which are great for skin health.

Chill the Mixture

Place the bowl with the oil mixture in the freezer for about 30 minutes, or until the edges begin to solidify. This step helps the oils to cool down and start to set, making it easier to whip later.

Whip the Mixture

Whip It Good

Remove the bowl from the freezer. Add 1 tbsp of arrowroot powder to the mixture to help reduce any greasy residue. Use a stand mixer with a whisk attachment or the handheld mixer to whip the mixture until it reaches a creamy, almost whipped consistency. This usually takes about 5-10 minutes.

Optional Fragrance

If you want to add a scent, now is the time to do it. Add 20 drops of your favorite essential oil and gradually mix until the fragrance is evenly distributed.

Store in Glass Jars

Glass Jars

Transfer the whipped tallow lotion into a glass container. This recipe makes approximately two 8oz jars. Glass jars are ideal for storage as they do not react with the oils and help preserve the lotion’s shelf life.

Label and Store

Label your jars with the date and contents. Store the lotion at room temperature, away from direct sunlight, to maintain its texture and effectiveness. This lotion takes approximately 24 hours to “set.” It is ok to use immediately, but allowing it to sit for 24 hours will yield a less running consistency.

Tips for Best Results

Room Temperature

Store your lotion at room temperature. If it becomes too hard, simply warm it between your hands before application.

Sensitive Skin

If you have sensitive skin, do a patch test before using the lotion all over your body. Adjust the essential oils or use none if needed.

Shelf Life

The lotion has a good shelf life but for best results, use it within six months. Always use clean hands or a spatula to avoid contamination.

Benefits of Beef Tallow Lotion

Skin Health

Beef tallow is rich in vitamins A, D, E, and K, which are essential for skin health. These fat-soluble vitamins nourish the skin, helping to keep it healthy and glowing.

Fatty Acids

It contains fatty acids similar to those found in human skin, which makes it easily absorbed. This helps to restore and maintain the skin’s natural barrier, keeping it moisturized.

Anti-inflammatory Properties

Grass-fed beef tallow has natural anti-inflammatory properties, making it beneficial for soothing skin irritations and conditions like eczema and diaper rash.

Natural Ingredients

Using natural ingredients like avocado oil and essential oils ensures that your skin is treated with care, free from synthetic chemicals.

Conclusion

This Easy Homemade Tallow Balm Recipe is a fantastic way to care for your skin naturally. With simple ingredients, whole foods and straightforward steps, you can create a moisturizing and nourishing lotion that is perfect for everyday use. Whether you’re dealing with dry skin, looking to avoid toxic ingredients, or simply enjoy DIY skin care products, this recipe is a great choice. Enjoy the benefits of beef tallow and keep your skin healthy and radiant!

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