Recipe: homemade tallow lip balm

Recipe: homemade tallow lip balm

Did you know that tallow is naturally rich in vitamins A, D, E and K? These vitamins support skin repair and keep lips soft and healthy and, unlike petroleum-based balms that simply sit on the surface, tallow deeply nourishes and restores the skin.

Because it contains skin-compatible fatty acids that closely resemble those found in our own skin, it's able to be absorbed more effectively and deliver moisture where it's truly needed.

This means it doesn't just sit on the surface—it penetrates deeply, providing lasting hydration and helping to restore the skin’s natural barrier over time.

DIY Tallow Lip Balm Recipe

Tallow lip balm recipe

Tallow lip balm is super easy to make on your own, with just a few simple, natural ingredients.

Ingredients:

  • 15g grass-fed beef tallow (properly rendered/suet preferred)

  • 5g beeswax pellets (for firmness)

  • 5ml jojoba oil or sweet almond oil (optional, for smooth texture)

  • 1–2 drops essential oil (peppermint, lavender, or vanilla – optional)

Method:

Place the tallow and beeswax in a heatproof glass bowl over a saucepan of gently simmering water (a bain-marie). Stir until fully melted.

Remove from heat and stir in the jojoba or almond oil and a drop or two of essential oil if using.

Carefully pour the mixture into clean lip balm tubes or a small tin while still warm.

Allow to cool and set for 20–30 minutes and, once solidified, pop the lids on. Store somewhere cool and dry.

Keeps well for 6 months or more due to tallow’s natural stability.

Tallow Lip Balm No Beeswax

Tallow lip balm recipe without beeswax

Ingredients:

  • 20g grass-fed beef tallow (rendered and purified) 

  • 10g coconut oil (for added softness and glide)

  • 3–5g jojoba oil or sweet almond oil (optional)

  • 3–5 drops essential oil (optional)

Instructions:

Melt the tallow and coconut oil together in a double boiler (or heat-safe bowl over simmering water).

Stir in jojoba or almond oil once melted.

Cool slightly, then add essential oils if using.

Pour into lip balm containers and let it set at room temperature or refrigerate until firm.

How to Make Lip Balm Without Beeswax

Tallow lip balm with honey

Adding honey to tallow lip balm offers both therapeutic and cosmetic benefits, especially for dry, chapped, or sensitive lips. 

Ingredients:

  • 20g grass-fed beef tallow (nourishing, base fat)

  • 10g coconut oil (adds softness and glide)

  • 3g jojoba oil or sweet almond oil (optional – smoother texture)

  • 1–2 g raw honey (natural humectant, adds moisture)

  • 3–5 drops essential oil (optional – e.g., vanilla, lavender, or peppermint)

Instructions:

Gently melt the tallow and coconut oil in a double boiler or small heat-safe bowl over simmering water.

Once melted, remove from heat. Stir in the jojoba/sweet almond oil if using.

Let the mixture cool slightly (not hot to the touch), then add the honey. Whisk or stir well. Note: Honey doesn't fully dissolve in oil, so stir continuously as it cools to help it distribute evenly.

Add essential oil drops if using. Transfer into tins or lip balm tubes and let set at room temperature or place in the fridge to speed up firming.

Because honey is water-based and doesn’t fully emulsify with fats, it may settle slightly. Stirring during cooling helps reduce this.

Use within 3–6 months; avoid contaminating with fingers to extend shelf life.

 

Use a small amount of your tallow balm morning and night, and reapply before heading outdoors to maintain a resilient barrier against the elements.

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