DIY Tallow Skincare: Affordable, Low-Tox Lotions, Balms, and Creams for the Whole Family

Creating your own skincare products is a simple way to provide your family with natural, low-tox alternatives while saving money. Tallow is a nourishing, natural fat that has been used for centuries and works perfectly in lotions, balms, lip care, and even hair products. In this guide, I’ll show you:

• why tallow works

• the benefits of each ingredient

• how to purify it

• how you can stretch the cost, or even make a little extra selling to friends and family.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I will only recommend things I have personally used unless otherwise stated.

What is Tallow Skincare?

Tallow is rendered animal fat, usually from beef or lamb. When purified, it becomes a creamy, clean fat that blends beautifully into skincare products. It has been used for generations in soaps, ointments, and balms because it closely matches the natural oils in human skin.

Unlike modern lotions filled with synthetic fillers, tallow is the original lotion. It naturally nourishes, protects, and hydrates. Even the smooth, silky consistency that store-bought products try to replicate is already built into pure tallow.

Tallow is rich in vitamins A, D, E, and K, which help repair the skin and provide long-lasting hydration. It is gentle enough for babies, children, and adults. Using tallow in your family’s skincare routine supports healthier skin without exposing kids or yourself to unnecessary chemicals.

The Benefits of Tallow and Key Ingredients

Here are the ingredients used in my favorite DIY recipes and why they work so well for family skincare:

Tallow

• Provides essential vitamins for skin repair and hydration

• Absorbs easily and restores the skin’s natural barrier

• Safe for all ages, from babies to adults

Coconut Oil (body lotion)

• Deeply moisturizing and silky

• Naturally antibacterial, helping soothe minor irritations

Jojoba Oil (body lotion)

• Lightweight and non-greasy

• Helps balance hydration and supports soft, smooth skin

Beeswax (body lotion)

• Locks in moisture and gives structure to balms and lotions

• Naturally antibacterial and protective

Vanilla Oil (optional, body lotion)

• Adds a gentle, natural scent

• Contains mild antioxidant properties

Olive Oil (face cream)

• Rich in antioxidants and fatty acids

• Nourishes delicate facial skin and supports barrier repair

Castor Oil (face cream)

• Provides deep hydration

• Soothes dryness and irritation while adding creaminess

Essential Oils (optional, face cream)

• Add natural fragrance and extra skin benefits

Using these ingredients in tallow-based recipes means you can provide low-tox, nourishing skincare for the whole family, keeping kids’ skin safe while maintaining a luxurious feel.

Links to Ingredients

These are the ingredient’s I’ve bough and used in my recipes. The Tallow here is by far my favorite of all the kinds I’ve tried (local farms and grocery store). Most of these things will last you for multiple batches of the recipe cards I made. Click the pictures to follow the links:

These are things I haven’t personally bought but are the rest of the ingredients. These are things I will probably purchase next time I run out of an ingredient.

Why Purifying Tallow Matters

Purifying tallow ensures your skincare is smooth, clean, and free of impurities. Raw tallow can have odors and remnants of connective tissue that affect texture and performance. Purified tallow blends easily with oils and beeswax to create lotions, creams, and balms that absorb beautifully and feel professional.

For convenience, you can use high-quality pre-purified tallow. My recipe card includes instructions for purifying tallow at home, along with suggested ingredient blends for body lotion and face cream.

DIY Tallow Skincare Recipes for Your Family

Body Lotion
Made with tallow, coconut oil, jojoba oil, and beeswax, this lotion provides deep hydration for dry hands, elbows, and legs. Vanilla oil can be added for a subtle, natural scent.

Face Cream
This cream combines tallow, olive oil, and castor oil for rich hydration that absorbs easily. Optional essential oils provide fragrance and extra benefits.

Why Tallow Works
Tallow-based products are naturally compatible with human skin. They provide long-lasting moisture while enhancing the benefits of other oils. Using purified tallow ensures your DIY family skincare is smooth, luxurious, and safe for kids.

Access my full FREE recipe card, including suggested blends and ratios, here:

How to Stretch the Cost or Make Extra

While the initial ingredient cost may seem high, tallow goes a long way. A single batch can produce dozens of products, meaning your per-item cost is far lower than commercial natural lotions.

I have recovered costs and sometimes made a small profit simply by selling extra products to friends and family by word of mouth. Simple packaging, like small jars or tins, is enough to make your products look polished and professional.

Even if selling is not your goal, making your own tallow skincare gives your family access to luxurious, low-tox lotions while keeping your home budget-friendly. Start with one recipe, and scale up if you want to create extras for gifts or sharing.

Tips for Success

• A little goes a long way: Tallow-based products are rich. Dab off excess with a towel if skin feels greasy

• Use clean, sterile containers: Keeps lotions, balms, and creams safe for family use

• Store properly: Cool, dry storage extends shelf life

• Adjust scents carefully: Essential oils enhance fragrance but use sparingly

• Experiment with textures: Slight changes in ratios of tallow, oils, and beeswax give creams or balms a firmer or creamier feel

Why I Recommend Tallow for Moms and Families

When my youngest was a baby, he had a severe lip and tongue tie that meant he could only drink from bottles for months. Hand-washing bottles constantly left my hands cracked and bleeding. Tallow was the only thing that truly worked. It restored my hands overnight and felt almost magical.

Over time, I have refined these recipes to create body lotion and face cream that are safe, effective, and low-tox for the whole family. If you are a mom looking to create healthier home routines while keeping skincare affordable and natural, tallow is an easy, practical solution.