Oh, winter. The season of cozy sweaters, hot drinks, and… dry, flaky skin. When it comes to natural skincare, tallow stands out as a hero ingredient. Packed with vitamins A, D, E, and K, tallow helps improve skin elasticity and promote the healing process. It’s also rich in amino acids, which are vital for repairing and maintaining the skin’s protective layer.
Unlike many facial products you’ll find at health food stores, tallow doesn’t rely on synthetic fillers. Instead, it pairs beautifully with herbal oil infusions and natural oils to deliver a lightweight formula that deeply hydrates without feeling greasy—a little goes a long way.
If you’ve never used tallow on your skin, let me introduce you to the best moisturizer you will ever use. Tallow (rendered beef or sheep fat) is rich in skin-nourishing vitamins A, D, E, and K. It’s also packed with fatty acids that mimic the natural oils in our skin, making it ultra-moisturizing and easy for your skin to absorb. Bonus? It’s incredibly protective, perfect for harsh winter winds and dry indoor air.
But what makes this cream extra special is the infusion of skin-loving herbs—calendula, lavender, rosemary, and a few other favorites we’re about to talk about.
Why Go Herbal?
Winter can be a tough season for the health of your skin. Dry air and cold winds strip our largest organ of a lot of needed moisture and we often end up feeling tight, dehydrated, and flaky. Before I started using tallow cream, I had multiple creams that had all done different things and had a ton of ingredients.
But, winter skincare doesn’t have to be complicated—or packed with unpronounceable ingredients. Herbal, tallow-based creams, give your skin exactly what it needs to thrive during the colder months: deep hydration, natural protection, and all the herbal properties your skin can soak in.
I’ve got a great recipe for a DIY tallow-based cream that works for all skin types and uses the power of natural ingredients and herbs to support skin health all season long.
Infusing Herbal Oils
What makes this recipe even better, is adding a unique blend of botanicals for extra hydration, antioxidant properties, and antimicrobial benefits. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Calendula: Known for its wound-healing properties and ability to soothe skin irritation.
- Lavender: Offers natural antibacterial properties, calming effects, and a beautiful glow.
- Rosemary: A favorite for its antioxidant activity and support against free radicals (cancer causing yuckiness).
- Chamomile: Gentle and soothing for skin infections, sensitive skin, or chronic skin conditions.
- Plantain: This herb’s astringent property is perfect for healing cracks and preventing dryness.
- Comfrey: Rich in allantoin, it promotes skin repair and adds an extra layer of nourishment.
- Green Tea: Packed with powerful antioxidants to protect against environmental stressors.
How to Make Tallow-Based Herbal Cream
Here’s how you can create your own herbal tallow magic in a jar. It’s surprisingly easy, and once you try it, you’ll probably never go back to store-bought creams.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup tallow (grass-fed is ideal. If you don’t want to render your own, you can buy it on Amazon)
- 1/4 cup herbal oil infused with any combination of the herbs above
- 1 tablespoon beeswax (optional, for a firmer texture)
- 10 drops of essential oil (optional. lavender or rosemary for extra benefits are great options)
- A glass bottle or jar for storage
Step-by-Step Instructions
Infuse Your Herbal Oil
Use natural oils like jojoba, olive, or sweet almond. Combine dried herbs like calendula, lavender, and rosemary in a jar, then cover them with your chosen oil. Infuse:- Quick method: Warm the jar in a double boiler for 2–3 hours.
- Slow method: Let it sit at room temperature for 3-4 weeks. (This is my preferred method, and you will definitely get a superior product his way)
- Strain the oil into a clean container.
Melt and Mix
Using a double boiler, melt your tallow and beeswax (if using). Once melted, stir in your infused oil and mix well. Add a few drops of essential oil for scent and extra antioxidant properties.Pour and Set
Pour the mixture into your glass bottle or jar. Let it cool at room temperature until it solidifies.
This cream works wonders on dry hands, chapped cheeks, cracked heels, or anywhere your skin needs a little extra love. A little goes a long way, so start with a small amount and massage it in….and no, it doesn’t clog pores and make acne prone skin worse. In fact, most acne prone skin types are dehydrated because of acne products over stripping moisture. Stripping the skin with harsh products causes the skin to overproduce oil, causing more breakouts.
Use it daily, especially before bed, for the best results.
The Benefits
The best part about creating your skincare products is having an affordable personalized skincare regimen that meets your unique needs. This cream is perfect for hydrating dehydrated skin, repairing free radical damage, and maintaining a glowing complexion. This tallow cream makes an excellent base for a cream cleanser, mask, makeup remover, and more. Anything you purchase that has a cream base, this recipe can take the place of. Any other need you have on top of that, add the appropriate herbs that can support you with it.
Plus, there’s the obvious benefit…by making your own, you’re likely saving ridiculous amounts of money.
Natural skin care is all about finding what works for your skin type and giving it the love it deserves. Let me know how it works for you—or share your favorite winter skin care tips. I’d love to hear from you!
