Short answer: imagine a two-ingredient balm that melts into your skin like it belongs there — soft, calm, properly-fed skin from something you made with your own hands. That's tallow balm: rendered beef fat blended with a carrier oil like olive or jojoba, and it works because tallow is the closest fat to your skin's own sebum (~55%) of any common skincare oil. Making your own takes an afternoon of rendering and purifying — or, if you'd rather skip straight to the result, ours is handmade in Belgium from the same grass-fed tallow described below.
Prefer to skip the rendering?
Tallow + Jojoba Minimalist Butter
The same two-ingredient recipe below — grass-fed Belgian tallow and jojoba — already purified, blended and ready to use. No double boiler required.
Shop the ready-made version · €28,90 →Ships worldwide from Belgium · free shipping available, calculated at checkout
Just two ingredients
Rendered tallow + a carrier oil. That's the base.
~55% sebum match
Closer to skin's own oil than shea (~40%) or coconut (~23%).
Vitamins A, D, E, K
Fat-soluble vitamins that support the skin barrier.
Solid or whipped
Firm for dry patches, whipped for face and daily use.
Tallow balm brings an old piece of skincare wisdom back to the present — the kind your great-grandmother might have known without needing a word for it. It's simple: animal fat blended with an oil, and it feels surprisingly soft on the skin, absorbing quickly with no sticky residue. You only need two things: rendered tallow and a carrier oil such as olive or jojoba. This guide walks you through it step by step, whether you're a complete beginner or have made your own skincare before.
What is tallow and why choose tallow balm?
Tallow is simply rendered fat from beef or sheep. Its fatty-acid profile is the closest match to human sebum of any common skincare oil — research puts it at around 55%, compared with 40% for shea butter and just 23% for coconut oil — which is exactly why it absorbs so readily and matches what your skin already produces.
Origins and history of tallow in skincare
Tallow has been used in skincare for centuries. Before modern cosmetics existed, it was the standard — used to protect skin against wind and cold, heal minor wounds and keep skin soft. That knowledge was passed down in kitchens and farmhouses long before anyone called it a "routine." With the rise of synthetic products, tallow faded from view. Now people are rediscovering it — our full guide to what tallow is covers the history and science in depth.
Benefits of tallow for the skin
Tallow is rich in vitamins A, D, E and K and antioxidants that support your skin's natural repair processes. Its structure closely resembles the fat your skin makes itself, which is why it absorbs so readily. Key benefits: deep hydration and nourishment, a stronger skin barrier, documented anti-inflammatory properties, and suitability across skin types (patch-test first if reactive).
Source of tallow: suet and grass-fed animals
The best tallow comes from suet — the firm fat surrounding the kidneys of beef or sheep, which carries the highest concentration of nutrients. Grass-fed animals produce the best suet: their diet gives higher vitamin and fatty-acid content, including more CLA and omega-3, fatty acids with documented anti-inflammatory properties. Choosing grass-fed is also kinder to the environment — low-waste and fully biodegradable.
Making tallow balm: step-by-step
Equipment and ingredients
Equipment: glass jars for storage, a double boiler (or a bowl over a saucepan), a fine mesh strainer, a hand mixer (for a whipped version), and clean cloths or paper towels.
Basic recipe:
- 125g purified tallow
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or almond oil
- 1 teaspoon rosehip oil (optional)
- 25 drops essential oil of your choice (optional)
Rendering and purifying tallow
Purifying removes odours and creates a beautifully white fat. Place raw tallow in a slow cooker with 4–8 cups of water and 3 tablespoons of salt. Simmer gently for one hour, then strain through a fine sieve lined with kitchen paper into a large bowl. After chilling in the fridge, you'll see a firm white layer of tallow on top of the water. Turn the block out and scrape off any brown residue from the bottom. Repeat for extra purity, and let the tallow air-dry completely before using — moisture can cause mould.
When I first rendered tallow myself, honestly, it took me a while to get it beautifully clear and pure — and a few drops of essential oil give the finished balm a lovely scent. Today our tallow is cold-rendered by a Belgian family company that has done it the natural way for over 200 years. And to my Belgian customers: your grandparents almost certainly ate frites baked in that very same beef tallow. — Laura, founder
Solid vs. whipped tallow balm
| Solid balm | Whipped balm | |
|---|---|---|
| Texture | Firm at room temperature | Light and creamy, like buttercream |
| Absorption | Slower, melts on contact | Faster, spreads easily |
| Best for | Dry areas like elbows and heels | Face, larger areas, everyday use |
| Extra step | None — pour and set | Chill, then whip |
Solid balm: melt the tallow in a double boiler until liquid. Stir in the olive oil. Remove from heat, add rosehip oil and any essential oils. Pour into jars and leave to cool for 30 minutes.
Whipped version: place the warm mixture in a bowl in the fridge. Once firm but not rock-hard, whip with a hand mixer until light and fluffy. Too hard? Let it sit at room temperature briefly before whipping. Both versions keep for months stored away from light.
Before you go
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Carrier oils and their effects
- Jojoba oil: great for all skin types, balances sebum, doesn't clog pores, absorbs quickly — the one we pair with tallow in our Minimalist Butter.
- Avocado oil: rich in vitamin E and oleic acid, ideal for dry or damaged skin.
- Coconut oil: antibacterial, good for the body — use cautiously on acne-prone faces.
- Olive oil: polyphenols that protect against free radicals and support the barrier.
Essential oils and botanical additions
Always dilute essential oils — maximum 1% for adults, and under 0.25% for babies. Patch-test any new addition first.
- Lavender: a classic for calming skin and easing redness — 3–4 drops per 100g balm.
- Tea tree: well-known cleansing properties, a popular choice for blemish-prone skin.
- Frankincense: traditionally used to support skin renewal and the appearance of scarring.
- Chamomile: soothes sensitive skin — the botanical in our Family Daisy.
- Lemongrass: fresh scent, traditionally valued for purifying properties.
Storage and shelf life
Homemade tallow balm typically keeps for 12+ months stored correctly. Use small glass jars or tins and keep in a cool, dark place — a cupboard or cellar is ideal. Avoid bathrooms, where temperature and humidity fluctuate too much. Watch for signs of spoilage (rancid smell, discolouration, mould, unusual texture) and always scoop with clean hands or a spoon to keep bacteria out.
★★★★★
"Great help and tips on which tallow suits you best. Products work well, feel lovely — spread easily and absorb quickly. Top quality."
— Esmeralda, Belgium · verified review
What this means for your skin type
- Dry skin: use the solid version on very dry patches (elbows, heels) and the whipped version daily on the face — tallow's sebum match means it rarely feels heavy.
- Sensitive or reactive skin: skip essential oils for your first few weeks; the plain two-ingredient balm is calming enough on its own — or reach for the unscented Minimalist Butter.
- Acne-prone skin: choose jojoba as your carrier over olive oil, and keep the essential-oil list short — tea tree in very small amounts is a popular traditional choice.
- Mature skin: rosehip oil and a touch of frankincense are the traditional pairing for extra support around fine lines and tone.
- Babies and children: choose pure tallow balm with no essential oils at all. Our fragrance-free Minimalist Butter is approved for babies; Family Daisy is assessed for ages 3 and up. Patch-test first.
Prefer not to render your own? Try the ready-made version
If the rendering and purifying steps feel like more time than you have, you're not alone — it's one of the most common reasons people look for a finished balm. Nana Latta makes exactly that: small-batch, handmade tallow butters using the same grass-fed Belgian tallow described in this guide, already purified, blended and ready to use.
The ready-made balm, three ways
Same core recipe, already made. The Face Trio pairs three bestsellers — a lovely place to start.
Using tallow balm in your routine
Apply a thin layer to clean skin and massage gently until absorbed, morning and evening. It works as the last step, after serums and toners, to seal in and enhance the effects of other products. For families it's convenient — safe for different ages, and one jar is often enough for the whole household. Rough dosage guide: oily skin, every other day or only on dry patches; sensitive skin, daily in a thin layer; eczema-prone areas, 2–3 times per day on affected spots.
Frequently asked questions
Does homemade tallow balm smell like beef?
High-quality, properly rendered tallow is nearly odourless. Start with well-purified grass-fed tallow and render it correctly and the final balm will have little to no animal smell. A small amount of essential oil (lavender or lemongrass) adds a pleasant natural scent if you prefer.
How long does homemade tallow balm last?
Stored in a cool, dark place in a sealed glass jar, homemade tallow balm typically lasts 12 months or more. Always use clean utensils to scoop it out, which significantly extends shelf life by preventing bacterial contamination.
Can I use tallow balm on my face?
Yes — especially for dry, sensitive or mature skin. Use a pea-sized amount, warm it between your fingers, and apply after cleansing. Many people prefer whipped tallow balm for the face as it's lighter in texture.
Is tallow balm safe for babies and children?
Pure tallow balm without essential oils is generally considered safe for babies and children — one of the most natural, minimal-ingredient options available. Our fragrance-free Minimalist Butter is approved for babies; Family Daisy is assessed for ages 3 and up. Always patch-test first and avoid essential oils for children under 2.
What's the difference between tallow balm and tallow butter?
Tallow balm is typically firmer, with a higher tallow-to-oil ratio, for targeted areas. Tallow butter is often whipped and lighter, easier to spread over larger areas. Same core benefits — it comes down to preference and where you're applying it.
Is it easier to just buy ready-made?
For most people, yes. Rendering, purifying and getting the tallow-to-oil ratio right takes practice, and homemade batches vary. If you want a consistent, tested result without the equipment or wait, our Tallow + Jojoba Minimalist Butter uses the same core ingredients in a formula that's already balanced.
Written by
Laura, founder of Nana Latta
Formula Botanica-trained skincare formulator and founder of Belgium's first tallow skincare brand. I rendered my first batch of tallow by hand — and I still make every batch by hand today.
