During my pregnancy, I was looking for natural belly oils and belly butters to try to prevent stretch marks.
But then I realized I could easily make my own all-natural belly balm with just a few simple and clean ingredients!
This 2-ingredient homemade whipped tallow balm recipe works wonders for itchy pregnant bellies. But it also works great as a general everyday moisturizer!
Anyone can make and use this DIY skincare must-have in their daily non-toxic skincare routine for their body and even their face.
So what does it take to make tallow balm? And why would you want to use it?
This post covers everything you want to know about making and using homemade tallow balm. So keep reading!
Medical Disclaimer: This post is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. I’m not a healthcare professional, and nothing here is a substitute for guidance from your provider. Always consult a qualified professional before making changes to your health, supplements, or lifestyle. Please see the full disclaimer for more details.
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Homemade Whipped Tallow Balm Benefits & Ingredients
With just a few ingredients, it doesn’t get much easier than this 2-ingredient whipped tallow balm recipe!
Beef Tallow
What is beef tallow? And why would you want to slather it on your face and body?
Beef tallow is rendered fat from a cow, meaning the beef fat has been cooked down with the impurities removed. When heated, beef tallow liquefies. And when cooled, the texture resembles solid butter.
So wait… we’re really supposed to apply beef fat to our skin? Yep! It may sound crazy, but stay with me, and I’ll explain why.
Beef tallow is highly moisturizing and nourishing while also being anti-inflammatory. It’s rich in vitamins A, D, E, and K along with Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids plus antioxidants.
These nutrients can help “stimulate collagen production and skin cell renewal” while the antioxidants protect the skin from free radical damage and signs of aging (source). Win-win-win-win!
On top of all that, beef tallow matches our skin’s natural oils and is non-comedogenic. So it won’t clog pores or cause break-outs (yay!). And it feels ahhh-mazing!
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It goes on a little greasy at first, but it absorbs quickly and leaves your skin feeling baby soft! Seriously, I can’t stop touching my face after I’ve applied it.
Wondering what beef tallow you should use? The best form of beef tallow is pure organic grass-fed beef tallow with no additives like artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
Why organic? Factory-farmed cattle are typically given antibiotics and/or steroids and fed grains sprayed with nasty pesticides.
And why does grass-fed matter? Grass-fed tallow has a higher nutrient content than the traditional grain-fed tallow. I don’t know about you, but I’m all about more nutrients!
So have I convinced you that beef tallow is worth trying as a moisturizer? Great! On to the next ingredient in this tallow balm recipe…
Avocado Oil
Another nourishing, moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging ingredient in this homemade whipped tallow balm is avocado oil.
Avocado oil has some similarities to beef tallow in that it’s loaded with vitamins A, D, and E as well as Omega-3 fatty acids plus other nutrients that nourish the skin.
The emollient and absorbent oil is also an excellent source of antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties to combat oxidative damage and increase collagen (source).
Avocado oil has even been used in the treatment of stretch marks (source), making it a fabulous ingredient for using this homemade whipped tallow butter as a belly butter during pregnancy!
As for what avocado oil to use, we don’t have to be as strict because avocados are on the EWG Clean 15 List for the lowest amounts of pesticide residues.
So organic isn’t necessary. But you want to use a high quality 100% pure avocado oil that’s not blended with inflammatory oils.
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Optional Essential Oils
Wanna give your homemade whipped tallow balm a lovely scent? Feel free to try some essential oils with it!
Just make sure they’re 100% pure with no artificial fragrance or other additives. Here are a few good organic brands you can find on Amazon:
*If you’re pregnant, talk to your medical provider before using essential oils, especially during the first trimester. And if you get the green light from your medical provider, be sure to use pregnancy-safe essential oils.
Here’s a blend that’s considered safe to use during pregnancy when diluted with a carrier oil. But always double-check with your medical provider first.
- Orange Essential Oil: 20 drops
- Lavender Essential Oil: 30 drops
- Geranium Essential Oil: 30 drops
How to Make Homemade Whipped Tallow Balm
Not only does this DIY skincare recipe have just a few simple ingredients, it also has just a few easy steps!
Step 1
Add the beef tallow and avocado oil to a small saucepan.
Step 2
Melt the tallow and avocado oil over medium heat until they’re combined in liquid form.
Step 3
Once melted, transfer the oil mixture to a large glass bowl and place in the refrigerator. Use a larger bowl than you think you need so the tallow balm doesn’t fly all over the place as you whip it (trust me!).
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Step 4 (optional)
Once the mixture has cooled enough that you can stick a finger in it, add essential oils if using and stir to combine. Place back in the refrigerator.
Step 5
When the mixture has solidified and turned opaque (roughly 30 minutes to 1 hour), remove from the refrigerator.
Step 6
Whip the tallow mixture with an electric mixer for a few minutes until the consistency becomes light and airy.
Step 7
Transfer the whipped tallow balm to a wide-mouth glass container with a lid, and store at room temperature.
Equipment to Make Homemade Whipped Tallow Balm
Saucepan
I use Caraway pots and pans because they’re about as non-toxic as you can get for non-stick pots and pans. Plus, they’re super easy to clean!
Glass Bowl
I like Anchor Hocking glass mixing bowls because they’re lead-free and good quality.
Electric Mixer
I just use a good ol’ fashioned electric hand mixer with a whisk attachment like this one. But I would think a stand mixer would work too.
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Glass Jar with Lid
You’ll need a wide-mouth glass jar with a lid to store your homemade whipped tallow balm in. Using a jar with a wide mouth will make it easier to not only transfer the tallow balm into the jar but also to get it out when you want to use it.
This recipe yields roughly 16 oz worth of tallow balm. So a wide-mouth 16 oz Mason jar works well. You just have to really cram the tallow balm into the jar to get it to all fit with the lid.
It helps to start by adding the tallow balm to the sides of the jar from the bottom and spreading it up to the rim. Then build it out from there to the center of the jar until it’s filled.
As for the lid, I prefer not to use the ones that come with the Mason jars as they’re coated in BPA. Instead, I like to use a reusable wide-mouth silicone lid like this one. 👇
How To Use Homemade Whipped Tallow Balm
Tallow balm is perfect for dry skin as well as pregnant bellies and other areas prone to stretch marks like breasts, hips, thighs, booties, and lower backs.
It will keep your growing skin moisturized and reduce itching. Any time I start feeling itchy, I apply the tallow balm and get instant itch relief. It may even help prevent stretch marks!
They say that stretch marks are hereditary. But there are ways to help minimize them. One of them is to keep the skin that’s stretching well hydrated.
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So for pregnancy, I use this tallow balm along with the organic Honest Company Honest Mama Glow On Body + Belly Oil. I apply the belly oil first, then I top it with the balm to lock in the oil.
I typically use the oil after a shower or at least once a day before the tallow balm. My baby bump stays hydrated all day and night!
I also love using the tallow balm on my face as a daily moisturizer. And I use it on other areas of my body as well when they need an extra boost of moisture.
It’s especially great for super dry skin and absorbs quickly without leaving your skin greasy (or smelling like beef). Warm it up between your fingers before applying. A little goes a long way!
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FAQs About Homemade Whipped Tallow Balm
Where can I buy beef tallow?
Some grocery stores carry beef tallow. But finding both organic AND grass-fed beef tallow can be challenging. Luckily, I found a great organic grass-fed beef tallow on Amazon!
Does the beef tallow smell “beefy”?
To be honest, yes, it can smell a little “beefy” at first if you don’t use essential oils with it. But eventually the “beefiness” fades and becomes unnoticeable.
Does the whipped tallow balm need to be refrigerated?
Nope. All ingredients are shelf stable, so you can leave it out at room temperature.
And honestly, it’s best to leave the tallow balm at room temperature. If you put it in the refrigerator, it will harden and become difficult to spread.
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Recipe for Homemade Whipped Tallow Balm
Homemade Whipped Tallow Balm
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup Beef Tallow (12 oz)
- 1/2 cup Avocado Oil (4 oz)
Optional Ingredients
- 80 drops Essential Oil (see notes)
Instructions
- Add the beef tallow and avocado oil to a small saucepan, and melt over medium heat.
- Once melted and combined, transfer the oil mixture to a large glass bowl and place in the refrigerator. Use a larger bowl than you think you need so the tallow balm doesn’t fly all over the place as you whip it (trust me!).
- OPTIONAL: Once the mixture has cooled enough that you can stick a finger in it, add essential oils if using and stir to combine. Place back in the refrigerator.
- When the mixture has solidified and turned opaque (roughly 30 minutes to 1 hour), remove from the refrigerator.
- Whip the tallow mixture with an electric mixer for a few minutes until the consistency becomes light and airy.
- Transfer the whipped tallow balm to a wide-mouth glass container with a lid, and store at room temperature.
Notes
- Orange Essential Oil: 20 drops
- Lavender Essential Oil: 30 drops
- Geranium Essential Oil: 30 drops
Wrapping Up the Homemade Whipped Tallow Balm Recipe
Did you make this homemade whipped tallow balm recipe? Share it on Instagram with the tag #nducleandiyrecipes.
Or do you think others would love to make it? Pin this recipe to save for later or to share with your friends and followers!
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This tallow balm felt so good on my dry, itchy pregnant belly! I’m sure it helped prevent stretch marks. And I continue to use it to this day on my face, body and baby!