Whipped Tallow Lotion
Tallow and Honey Balm Recipe: The Golden Elixir
Here's a recipe for a nourishing balm, which is a thick lotion or cream consistency. You can adjust the oils to achieve your preferred texture.
Ingredients
1 cup grass-fed beef tallow
1/4 cup Manuka honey
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon jojoba oil (or a combination)
Optional:
10 drops essential oil(s) (optional, such as cedarwood, or frankincense)
Instructions
Gently melt the tallow in a double boiler or over simmering water.
Let the melted tallow cool slightly.
Once the tallow is around 116°F (47°C), add the Manuka honey and other oils and stir to combine. Avoid adding honey to hot tallow to preserve its properties.
Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes, or until the edges start to solidify.
Whip the mixture with a hand or stand mixer for 5-10 minutes until light and fluffy.
Store the whipped balm in a clean, airtight container.
Notes
If you really want to take your tallow balm to the next level, infuse the warmed tallow with a medicinal herb for 1-2 hours in a double-boiler. Once infused, strain out the herb and continue the recipe with your infused tallow.
Want to make more at one time? No problem! I double it all the time to fill a full mason jar 🙂
Watch the recipe video!
Tips
Use high-quality, grass-fed beef tallow for optimal nutrients.
If using essential oils, ensure they are suitable for skin application and perform a patch test if you have sensitive skin.
The balm should last about a year in a cool, dark place.
Manuka honey offers antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and hydrating benefits for the skin.
Tallow is rich in vitamins and fatty acids, making it very moisturizing.
Olive and jojoba oils are lightweight and hydrating without clogging pores.
This recipe combines the nourishing qualities of tallow and oils with the benefits of Manuka honey for a hydrating and soothing balm
Ever wondered why our grandmothers' generation had such beautiful skin? As it turns out, old traditions might hold the secret everyone's been searching for. In an age where skincare products often contain ingredients nobody can pronounce, tallow and honey balm stands out with its remarkable effectiveness and beautiful simplicity. This centuries-old combination has become a cherished skincare solution for those in the know.
Understanding the Foundation: Essential Uses for Tallow
When most people first hear that tallow comes from rendered beef fat, they're often skeptical. But here's the fascinating part - its molecular structure mirrors human skin's natural oils almost perfectly. It's like nature's perfect match, providing exactly what skin needs. Unlike many modern moisturisers that sit on top of the skin, tallow integrates seamlessly with the natural barrier, delivering deep nourishment that skin instantly recognizes and absorbs.
The Sweet Science: Honey's Role
Adding honey to this equation creates something magical. Manuka honey, in particular, transforms the simple tallow base into something extraordinary. The honey acts like a moisture magnet, drawing and locking hydration into the skin while contributing its own set of beneficial properties. It's nature's way of giving skin a drink of the purest water while wrapping it in a protective, nurturing embrace.
The Magic Behind the Blend
Research shows this isn't just another moisturiser. The blend supports the skin's natural barrier function while providing anti-inflammatory benefits. It's packed with essential vitamins (A, D, E, and K) and possesses natural antimicrobial properties. The real beauty lies in its simplicity and how readily the skin absorbs these nutrients.
A Thousand Uses, One Amazing Product
The versatility of whipped tallow balm continues to amaze users. It works beautifully as everything from a light facial moisturiser to an intensive hand treatment. The tallow beard balm recipe has become a favourite among men, and the lip care version works wonders on chapped lips. For those dealing with specific skin concerns, it helps with everything from dry skin relief to minor wound care and skin barrier support.
Tips for Creating the Best Tallow Balm
The secrets to success lie in the details. Always apply the balm to slightly damp skin - it's like giving the skin a drink of water and then sealing it in. Starting with a small amount is key; more can always be added later. Warming the balm between the palms before applying allows it to melt beautifully into the skin. For an extra-special treat, the lavender-infused whipped tallow balm makes for a perfect night-time ritual, with its soothing scent and nourishing properties.
Quality Matters
Experience shows that the quality of ingredients makes all the difference. Grass-fed beef tallow is essential - it's richer in nutrients and works more effectively. Raw, unprocessed honey, and organic carrier oils (when used) provide the best results. Just as in cooking, better ingredients yield more impressive results.
Storage Secrets
Think of this balm as a precious jar of honey. When kept in a cool, dark place, it maintains its effectiveness for up to six months. Using clean, dry hands when applying goes a long way in preserving the balm's purity.
The Beauty of Tradition
Tallow and honey balm connects users to generations of wisdom while meeting modern skincare needs. Whether crafting it at home or exploring the complete range of tallow-based skincare products, everyone who uses this traditional remedy participates in a beautiful tradition that spans centuries.
Skincare remains a deeply personal journey. What works perfectly for one person might need adjusting for another. Taking time to listen to one's skin and adjust accordingly reveals the true beauty of natural skincare - it's a journey of discovery where every step teaches something new about personal care and wellness. Those who've tried tallow and honey balm often find themselves wondering how they ever lived without it.
On Amazon: Handmade Whipped Organic Beef Tallow
Grass Fed Beef Tallow Moisturizer and Honey Balm for Silky, Sensitive-Skin, Eczema, Rosacea - Free of Harsh Chemicals
Ingredients:
Grass-fed tallow
Manuka Honey
Organic Olive Oil
Jojoba Oil
All-in-1 Skin Care that does it all, naturally.
Deep Hydration: Long lasting moisture and softness, powered by olive oil
Balanced Skin: Natural oil regulation for perfect balance with jojoba oil
Skin Soothing: Redness relief and repair driven by Manuka honey
Skin Vitality: Replenishes and deeply conditions for a healthy glow with beef tallow
Note: When it’s real, it melts! No need to worry if your balm is a bit melted- it’s a good thing! Due to its purity, it softens up above 85F, and firms up when cooler. No sneaky chemicals here, just pure, honest skincare. If the product melts a little, let it sit in the fridge for 10 minutes, and it will be ready to nourish your skin!
NO: parabens, phthalates, petrochemicals, fragrances, or synthetic additives (things found in other skin care products). Too many products flood the market with harmful chemicals. Since the last world wars, we have been drunk on petroleum, and just finding out how harmful they are on mass scale. This was nothing new, there were dissenters all along, which is why we still have recipes like these that are uncountable hundreds if not thousands of year old recipes.
Crafted with family in mind. We rebel against toxic norms.
This lotion is designed to treat acne, dry skin, and more. You could even eat it! You should only put things on your skin you are comfortable eating, since your skin is literally absorbing it into your body. Your body is so efficient at absorbing lotions, that some vitamins, like V-C, is better absorbed through skin than ingested. Homemade products give you a healthier, more honest option.
How to render your own Beef Tallow
To render beef tallow, you'll need beef fat (suet), a pot or slow cooker, a strainer, and cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer. Start by trimming any meat from the fat and cutting it into 1-2 inch pieces. Melt the fat slowly over low heat, either in a pot on the stove or in a slow cooker, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and burning. Once the fat is fully melted and the remaining pieces are crispy and browned, strain the liquid fat through a cheesecloth-lined strainer into a heatproof bowl or jar. Allow the tallow to cool slightly before storing it in the refrigerator or freezer.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
1. Prepare the Fat:
Trim: Remove any meat or other non-fat tissue from the beef fat.
Chop: Cut the fat into 1-2 inch pieces. Smaller pieces will render faster. For easier handling, you can freeze the fat slightly before cutting, says The Daring Gourmet.
Optional: You can also use a food processor to break down the fat into smaller pieces.
2. Render the Fat:
Low and Slow: Place the chopped fat in a heavy-bottomed pot or slow cooker.
Heat: Use low heat to slowly melt the fat. Avoid high heat, which can burn the fat and affect the flavor.
Stir: Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even rendering.
Time: The rendering process can take several hours, depending on the amount of fat and your heat source. (3 hours at 230 degrees F, 110C)
Wet Rendering (Optional): Some recipes suggest adding a small amount of water to the pot to help prevent scorching and create a cleaner tallow, according to a Reddit thread.
3. Strain the Tallow:
Cool Slightly: Allow the melted tallow to cool slightly before straining to avoid damaging your strainer.
Strain: Use a fine-mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth or a coffee filter to remove any remaining solids.
Second Strain: For a very smooth tallow, you can strain it a second time.
4. Cool and Store:
Jars: Pour the strained tallow into clean jars or containers.
Cool: Allow the tallow to cool completely before sealing the jars.
Refrigerate: Should last a month (if eating it)
Freezer: Tallow can be stored at room temperature for a few months, but it will last longer in the refrigerator or freezer.
Alternative (Easier) Steps to Make Your Own Tallow
Step One: Melt Tallow
Step Two: Remove from heat, allow to cool, then place in fridge for about an hour.
Step Three: Remove from fridge and whisk with kitchen aid or hand mixer.
Step Four: add essential oils if you’d like, then whisk until fully incorporated.
Step Five: Place whipped tallow in individual jars for resale or gifts. Or make a small batch for your family and place in one bigger jar.
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5 from 1 vote
Whipped Beef Tallow
Whipped Tallow makes a fantastic body moisturizer! All natural.
Keyword: Natural Lotion, Tallow, Whipped Tallow
Servings: 20 2oz Jars
Equipment
1 Kitchen Aid Mixer or hand mixer
1 Pot to Melt Tallow
20 2 oz Amber Jars
any Essential Oils Optional, for aromatherapy
Ingredients
3 cups Beef Tallow Rendered
300 drops essential oil optional
Instructions
Melt down 3 cups of tallow on a medium/low heat
Remove from heat, once cooled place in fridge for about an hour
Once tallow has thickened, but not completely solidified, remove from fridge
Using the whisk attachment on your hand mixer or kitchen aid, mix until tallow reaches a whipped lotion texture
If using essential oils, add and whisk until fully incorporated
If you want to make different scents using different essential oils first place whipped tallow in to individual jars then add about 25 drops to each jar and mix until oils are incorporated
Notes
If using essential oils be sure to purchase amber jars like these for proper storage.
I found the easiest way to put the whipped tallow in to jars was to use a small spatula like this one.
Whipped tallow may melt, if it does you can set it in the fridge and whip it up again if necessary.
Store in a cool dry place, out of direct sunlight.
If you don’t want to make this but would like to purchase some, email me at jenn@thebehhome.com Only $25 for 2oz shipped in the United States.