Whipped Tallow Body Butter

Whipped Tallow body butter is a deeply moisturizing, all-natural skincare that leaves your skin feeling soft and nourished. Simple to make at home, it takes the richness of tallow and whips it into a light, fluffy body butter that absorbs quickly and hydrates for hours.

When you think of tallow, you might picture old-school homesteaders with a pot of rendered beef fat by their fire, making soap and balm to weather the harsh seasons. While that sounds like something straight out of a pioneer-era journal, it turns out that tallow—an age-old staple—is making a huge comeback in skincare. And for good reason.

Whipped tallow body butter is a rich, nourishing skin conditioner that’s highly absorbable, and it’s a completely natural way to hydrate, soften, and restore your skin. The best part? It’s incredibly easy to make at home.

Now, don’t go thinking that tallow body butter is a “new” beauty trend just because Instagram influencers have been raving about it. It’s a time-tested ingredient that’s been used for centuries (literally before anyone even thought to invent the wheel). The idea of using tallow for skincare might sound a little unconventional in today’s plant-based world, but trust me: if you’re looking for something that’s as nourishing as it is natural, animal fat is where it’s at.

Why Whipped Tallow Body Butter?

Tallow is rich in vitamins A, D, E, and K—key nutrients that nourish, moisturize, and protect the skin. It’s also packed with the same fatty acids that your skin craves to keep it soft and healthy. Plus, it absorbs beautifully without leaving that greasy, oily feel. If you’ve been using store-bought lotions that don’t seem to actually moisturize or that leave you feeling sticky all day, whipped tallow body butter could be the solution.

Tallow is also incredibly gentle. It’s often recommended for sensitive skin or skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or dry patches because it’s so soothing and non-irritating. It’s got a mild, natural scent (especially if you render your tallow properly), which means it won’t compete with your favorite essential oils or other fragrances.

The Benefits of Whipped Tallow Body Butter

• Moisturizes deeply: Tallow is rich in fatty acids that mimic those naturally found in your skin, making it a perfect moisturizer.
• Promotes healing: The vitamins and antioxidants in tallow support skin regeneration, making it great for dry, cracked, or irritated skin.
• Soothes sensitive skin: With its gentle properties, whipped tallow body butter is ideal for those with eczema, psoriasis, or other skin conditions.
• Long-lasting: Because tallow is so rich and nourishing, a little bit goes a long way. Your skin will stay hydrated for hours.

How to Make Whipped Tallow Body Butter at Home

Making whipped tallow body butter is almost as easy as making a batch of whipped cream, but the end result is way more nourishing and long-lasting for your skin. Plus, there’s no need to deal with complicated emulsions or fancy techniques—this is a straightforward DIY you can get into without feeling like you need a lab coat.

Ingredients for Whipped Tallow Butter

• 1 cup tallow – You’ll want to use the highest quality, cleanest tallow you can find. Properly rendered tallow doesn’t smell like anything, and it’s very white (the other oils will give your finished balm a slightly golden color).  If you can get grass-fed tallow, even better for your skin.  I tend to use either home rendered tallow, or tallow from Fatworks, which is really high quality.
• 1/4 cup coconut oil – Coconut oil adds a bit of extra moisture and helps the body butter whip up beautifully.  Adding coconut oil is optional.
• 1/4 cup jojoba oil – This oil is close to the natural oils produced by your skin, so it’s incredibly moisturizing and soothing.  Since it’s a liquid oil, it softens the tallow and makes it spreadable.
• 1/2 teaspoon vitamin E oil (Optional, but a great antioxidant that helps extend shelf life and boost skin health.)
• Essential oils of your choice (Optional for scent—lavender, frankincense, or rose are popular choices for their calming properties.)

The coconut oil, vitamin e oil and essential oils are optional.  If you want to take a minimalist approach, you can use 4 parts melted tallow and 1 part liquid oil.  You need an oil that works well with skin and that’s liquid at room temperature.

My absolute favorite is Jojoba oil, and when I worked as a massage therapist, that’s all I’d use.  It’s incredibly nourishing for skin, and it’s more absorbable than just about any other oil you could choose.  Other choices that work well include almond oil, olive oil, and grapeseed oil.

Tallow is very hard on its own, and while it does get softer when whipped as it cools, its still not as spreadable and supple as most people prefer.  Without some type of oil that’s liquid at room temperature, it’s tricky to get the right consistency.

The coconut oil helps the batch maintain its loft after whipping, and it’s also lovely for the skin.  You can skip it if you want; it’s completely optional.  You’ll still have a great tallow balm.

Vitamin E oil is a natural nutrient that’s unbelievable for skin, but it also has preservative properties.  It helps the oils stay fresh at room temperature for longer.  Oils can go rancid, especially when they have extra air whipped into them, but vitamin E oil will nearly double the shelf life of this tallow body butter.

Making Whipped Tallow Butter

Start by gently melting your tallow and coconut oil together. You can do this by placing them in a double boiler or using a heatproof glass jar in a pot of hot water. Stir occasionally to ensure everything melts evenly.

Once the oils are fully melted, remove them from the heat and mix in the jojoba oil and vitamin E oil. If you’re adding essential oils for fragrance, this is the perfect time to do so. A few drops—about 10 to 15—will give you a nice, subtle scent without being overpowering.

After everything is well combined, let the mixture cool until it’s firm, but still a little soft. This usually takes about an hour at room temperature, but you can speed up the process by placing it in the fridge for 20 minutes or so. Just keep an eye on it to avoid it getting too solid.

Once the mixture has cooled to the right consistency, it’s time to whip it up. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the oils on medium speed until the texture becomes light and fluffy. This should take about 5 to 10 minutes, and the consistency should resemble soft whipped cream or frosting.

When the body butter has reached a fluffy, smooth texture, scoop it into a clean jar or container with a tight-fitting lid. If you’re not using it immediately, store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. The whipped tallow body butter should last for about 6 months, depending on the quality of the ingredients and how it’s stored.

Tips for Tallow Skincare Success

• Use High-Quality Tallow: The quality of your tallow will make a big difference in the final product. Aim for clean, odor-free tallow—grass-fed, if possible. Higher-quality tallow will ensure your balm is as nourishing and skin-friendly as possible. If you can render your own tallow, even better! It will be fresher and more controllable in terms of purity.
• Don’t Overheat the Oils: When melting your tallow and coconut oil, be careful not to overheat them. You want to gently melt the oils without getting them too hot. Overheating can cause the oils to lose their beneficial properties, and it can also make the mixture too liquid to whip properly.
• Cool to the Right Temperature: For the best whipping results, let your oil mixture cool until it’s just firm enough to hold shape but not completely solid. If the mixture is too liquid, it won’t whip up properly; if it’s too hard, it’ll be tough to whip into a smooth, airy texture. This sweet spot is usually around 1 hour at room temperature, or about 20 minutes in the fridge.
• Whip, Whip, Whip: The key to a light and fluffy balm is whipping it long enough. Use a hand or stand mixer and beat the oils on medium speed for at least 5–10 minutes. The more you whip, the lighter and airier it will become. You want it to resemble soft whipped cream or frosting in texture.
• Add Essential Oils Slowly: If you’re using essential oils for fragrance, start with just a few drops and mix them in gradually. Some oils are stronger than others, so you don’t want to overwhelm the balm with scent. 10–15 drops is usually enough for a pleasant fragrance without being overpowering.
• Store Properly: Whipped tallow balm should be stored in a clean, airtight container away from direct sunlight. Keep it in a cool, dry place to avoid melting or spoiling. If your balm does start to melt (for example, in hot weather), just place it back in the fridge for a few hours to return it to a whipped consistency.
• Experiment with Oils: If you love the benefits of other oils like rosehip, argan, or shea butter, feel free to experiment by adding a few teaspoons to your recipe. These oils add extra skin-loving properties and can enhance the texture, but make sure to keep the ratios balanced so you don’t lose that perfect whipped texture.
• Be Patient: When it comes to whipped tallow balm, patience is key. Take your time with the cooling and whipping process. Rushing it will affect the final texture, so let the oils cool properly before whipping them to perfection. The time you invest will reward you with the softest, fluffiest balm.

Whipped Tallow Body Butter

Ashley Adamant

Whipped Tallow body butter is a deeply moisturizing, all-natural skincare that leaves your skin feeling soft and nourished. Simple to make at home, it takes the richness of tallow and whips it into a light, fluffy body butter that absorbs quickly and hydrates for hours.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Cooling Time 20 minutes mins

Course Salve

Cuisine American

Servings 2 cups

Equipment

• Double Boiler

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 cup tallow
• 1/4 cup coconut oil Optional
• 1/4 cup jojoba oil or other liquid oil, such as olive, grapeseed or almond
• 1/2 teaspoon vitamin E oil Optional, but a great antioxidant that helps extend shelf life and boost skin health.
• Essential oils of your choice Optional for scent—lavender, frankincense, or rose are popular choices for their calming properties.

Instructions

 

• Melt the Tallow and Coconut Oil: Start by gently melting your tallow and coconut oil together. You can do this by placing them in a double boiler or a heatproof glass jar in a pot of hot water. Stir occasionally to help everything melt evenly.
• Mix in Other Oils: Once melted, take the oils off the heat and add the jojoba oil and vitamin E oil. If you’re adding essential oils for fragrance, you can add them at this stage as well. A few drops will go a long way—about 10 to 15 drops of essential oil is plenty for a nice scent that’s not overpowering.
• Chill the Mixture: Once everything is well mixed, allow the oil mixture to cool until it’s firm, but not solid. This usually takes about an hour at room temperature. You can speed this up by placing it in the fridge for 20 minutes or so, but keep an eye on it! You don’t want it to get too hard.
• Whip It Up: Now, here’s where the magic happens. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, start whipping the mixture on medium speed. Keep going until it turns light and fluffy—this usually takes about 5 to 10 minutes. It should resemble soft whipped cream or frosting.
• Store Your Body Butter: Once it’s whipped to perfection, scoop the body butter into a clean jar or container with a tight-fitting lid. If you’re not going to use it right away, store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. The whipped tallow body butter should last for about 6 months, depending on the quality of the ingredients and how it's stored.

Notes

 The coconut oil, vitamin E oil, and essential oils are all optional. If you prefer a more minimalist approach, you can keep it simple by using just 4 parts melted tallow to 1 part liquid oil. It's important to choose an oil that's both nourishing for the skin and liquid at room temperature.

My personal favorite is jojoba oil, which I swear by from my days as a massage therapist. Jojoba oil is incredibly absorbable, making it perfect for skin, but you can also use other oils like almond oil, olive oil, or grapeseed oil, all of which work wonderfully.

On its own, tallow is quite hard, and although whipping it will soften the texture, it’s still not as spreadable as many people prefer. Without a liquid oil to balance it out, you might find the consistency a bit too stiff. That’s where coconut oil comes in. It not only helps the body butter maintain its fluffy, whipped texture, but it’s also great for your skin. If you want to skip it, though, that’s perfectly fine—you’ll still have a nourishing tallow balm that works wonders.

Vitamin E oil is another optional addition.  It’s a natural skin booster and helps extend the shelf life of the body butter by preventing the oils from going rancid. With the extra air whipped into the mix, oils can start to spoil more quickly, but the vitamin E oil acts as a natural preservative and will keep your body butter fresh at room temperature for much longer.

Keyword Beef Tallow, Tallow Skincare

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