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  • RecipesWe love to create delicious recipes with gut health in mind. By using our recipes, you can easily create any dish knowing that it’s good for gut health! Our recipe blog also includes Vegan Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes, Gluten Free Recipes, and Paleo Recipes.
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DIY Tallow Balm Recipe
Miscellaneous Articles

Tallow Balm Recipe for Eczema Relief

Tallow balm is whipped beef fat used as moisturizer. It is biodynamic and wonderful for skin health. Tallow is organically compatible with with our skin, because the fat composition of tallow is similar to human sebum. It locks in moisture and nutrients without clogging your pores. I used tallow balm to help heal my eczema for good, and I’ve continued to use it for six years.

Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Jump to Recipe Rate Recipe
Recipe Index | Miscellaneous Articles

Tallow Balm Recipe for Eczema Relief

Tallow balm is whipped beef fat used as moisturizer. It is biodynamic and wonderful for skin health. Tallow is organically compatible with with our skin, because the fat composition of tallow is similar to human sebum. It locks in moisture and nutrients without clogging your pores. I used tallow balm to help heal my eczema…

DIY Tallow Balm Recipe

What is Tallow Balm?

Tallow balm is whipped beef fat used as moisturizer. Simply put, it’s a silky smooth moisturizer that helps keep your skin nourished and hydrated! It’s the only moisturizer I currently use, and it was vital to keeping my skin healthy while I healed my eczema naturally. The ingredients are minimal and it’s preservative free… so it’s WONDERFUL for skin and microbiome health.

What are the benefits of tallow balm?

Tallow balm made from the rendered fat of grass fed cows, contains minerals and vitamins A, D, E, K, and B12, which are all beneficial for skin health and appearance. Beef fat is organically compatible with with our skin, because the fat composition of tallow is similar to human sebum. It locks in moisture and nutrients without clogging your pores.

a jar of whipped beef fat moisturizer

Beef Tallow Balm

Tallow is balm is made from rendered beef fat. I get my beef fat from our local farm/butcher shop, Iverstiens. Local shops are a more sustainable option because they focus on providing high quality and natural meat products to the local community. They take the best care of their animals and they are VERY transparent about their agriculture practices.

I’ve also used Epic brand tallow to make my tallow balm before and it worked great!

Kaitlynn applying tallow balm in the mirror
Kaitlynn sitting down and apply tallow balm to her face
Kaitlynn sitting down and apply tallow balm to her face

Beef Tallow Face Cream Recipe for Eczema

My skin care routine is pretty simple. You can read the full details about my skin care routine in this blog, where I discuss how I cared for my skin during and after steroid cream withdrawal.

Simplifying my skin care routine had the best impact on my skin health. So now I have a basic rule: If I’d have to call poison control if I ingested a skincare product, I absolutely will not put it on my skin. Plain and simple. I usually use Toups and Co. Organics tallow balm, but it’s way more affordable for me to make my own. We’ve been trying to cut down on our spending a lot this year, and since I use so much of this balm this is a great way for us to save lots of money. It cost me an estimated $1.70 to make my own four ounce jar.

Other Skincare Blogs to Read

  • Natural Ways to Cure Eczema
  • My Natural Eczema Skincare Routine That Healed My Skin
  • My Eczema Diet Plan and The Best Probiotics for Eczema
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DIY Tallow Balm Recipe
Miscellaneous Articles

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 2 reviews

Tallow Balm Recipe for Eczema Relief

Tallow balm is whipped beef fat used as moisturizer. It is biodynamic and wonderful for skin health. Tallow is organically compatible with with our skin, because the fat composition of tallow is similar to human sebum. It locks in moisture and nutrients without clogging your pores. I used tallow balm to help heal my eczema for good, and I’ve continued to use it for six years.

  • Prep: 20 minutes
  • Cook: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

    • 1/2 Cup Grass Fed Tallow
    • 1/4 Cup Organic Cold Pressed Olive Oil
    • Frankincense, Ylang Ylang, Rosehip, and Chamomile Essential Oils (OR any essential oils you prefer, this is just the combo I came up with.)
    • Stand mixer or Electric hand mixer for whipping.

Instructions

  1. In a glass bowl, melt the tallow over a small pot of boiling water.
  2. Once the tallow is melted, let it cool for approximately 10 minutes.
  3. Add in the 1/4 cup of olive oil.
  4. Begin whipping the oil mixture using a stand mixer or electric hand mixer. As the mixture gets back to a cool room temperature it will being to turn white and solidify. The mixing adds air into it so that it’s a spreadable, lotion consistency. I generally have to whip it for about 20 minutes.
  5. Continue to whip the mixture as it solidifies and add in the essential oils. I used 2 drops of each oil listed in the ingredients.
  6. The consistency should look and feel similar to whipped body butter (or like whipped buttercream frosting).
  7. Using a rubber spatula, transfer the whipped tallow balm to a small jar and store it in a cool dark place. I keep mine in my nightstand drawer.
  1.  

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a 5-star review below if you loved it! Tag @cultured.guru on Instagram

 

Nutrition information is auto-calculated and estimated as close as possible. We are not responsible for any errors. We have tested the recipe for accuracy, but your results may vary.

Kaitlynn holding finished tallow balm in the mirror
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Kaitlynn Fenley Author, Educator, Food Microbiologist
Kaitlynn is a food microbiologist and fermentation expert teaching people how to ferment foods and drinks at home.
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hey i’m kaitlynn, i’m a microbiologist and together with my husband jon we are cultured guru.

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  1. Leeritta Christian
    08|29|2020

    Hello I just stumbled across you blog and I’m do thankful that I did! I’ve been up all night researching cause abs cures for eczema. My son has terrible eczema and nothing has helped so far. I will start with changing his diet and healing his gut. But what can I use to soothe his skin? I do not feel that The Eucerin is healing or helping. What type of moisturizer did you use on your body while healing your eczema? Is the tallow only for face?

    Your blog has been extremely informative and helpful during this process. Also, I’m looking forward to trying your kimchee! I hope my 2 year old wil eat it to heal his eczema! ?

    Thank you so much for the info!

    Reply
    1. Kaitlynn Fenley
      08|29|2020

      Hey there, I used Toups and Co.Organics tallow balm for my face and body while healing my own eczema! Glad to hear that the blog posts have been helpful for you!

      Reply
      1. Rachel
        07|19|2022

        Thankyou for recipe. I am going to try on my daughter who has had eczema since she was born and nothing has worked. Healing her gut health is the first priority then this to follow.
        Just wondering how long will this keep for at room temperature ? Will it solidly in cold weather…currently wintertime here in Australia.

        Reply
        1. Kaitlynn Fenley
          07|19|2022

          It keeps for at least 6 months… I usually use the whole amount this recipe makes in about that time. Since it is whipped, it will become more firm at cold temperatures, but it will keep it’s light spreadable texture.

          Reply
  2. Melissa
    12|06|2020

    Hi, thanks for all of the info on your website, it’s very helpful. My daughter has moderate to severe eczema and we’ve of course been through the whole range of eczema lotions. We’ve been using the take you recommend, but since she’s 4 and this goes on her entire body, we have been going through it at an unsustainable rate. I’m going to make a batch myself using your recipe (without essential oils because they can be irritating for her) and I’m wondering if you have experimented using other oils to prepare this. The reason I ask, is that when she was a baby, adding safflower oil to her bath was soothing for her skin. At the time I recall reading that it has particular attributes that may be helpful to eczema. Any thoughts would be helpful. Thanks!

    Reply
    1. Kaitlynn Fenley
      12|07|2020

      Hey there! I have not experimented with any other oils. This is the only recipe I’ve made. You’re welcome to experiment with safflower oil, but that’s up to you, and I don’t know how it will turn out. I assume if the oil consistency is similar to olive oil the balm texture should come out fine.

      I only write about my own, personal eczema healing journey, and my own experience with products here. I do not provide personalized instruction or recommendations on how to treat other’s eczema.

      Reply
      1. Melissa
        12|08|2020

        Thanks for your reply! I know how problematic it can be sharing eczema treatments. Everyone reacts differently and I thank you for sharing what worked for you, even if it doesn’t wind up working for us. Thanks again!

        Reply
  3. Penny
    02|14|2021

    This is an excellent article. Thank you for sharing your journal Kaitlynn. I am a licensed Manicurist/Pedicurist having several clients with psoriasis &/or eczema. Finding treatments for them has been an amazing journey. Just recently stumbling across Tallow is an exciting adventure in itself. There are many carrier oils that help with inflammation and pain, one of them being Hemp Seed oil. Just want to share food for thought…Edens Garden Essential Oil company has a phenomenal bank of information on their carrier oils.

    Reply
    1. Kaitlynn Fenley
      02|15|2021

      Thank you and you are welcome! I’ve heard a lot of good things about hemp seed oil. Thanks for the tips!

      Reply
  4. Stacey
    08|29|2021

    Helpful recipe! Thank for sharing. I’ve started making my tallow but wondering if the microwaving of the tallow to heat it up will destroy the structure of any of beneficial ingredients?

    Reply
    1. Kaitlynn Fenley
      09|09|2021

      I’m unsure how microwaving influences the structures of the beneficial fats in the tallow. If you have any aversion to microwaving, just heat it up using the double boiler method.

      Reply
  5. Brittany
    11|26|2022

    I rendered my own tallow especially for this recipe. It turned out so great! I tripled the recipe easily. Will save so much money. Thank you!

    Reply
  6. Samantha
    01|22|2024

    Hi! Does the olive oil have to be cold pressed? Thanks.

    Reply
    1. Kaitlynn Fenley
      01|22|2024

      other olive oil will work fine, cold pressed is best.

      Reply
  7. Donna Z
    09|21|2025

    Can you use pig tallow instead of beef tallow?

    Reply
    1. Kaitlynn Fenley
      09|24|2025

      not sure! I haven’t tested it! I have bought some lard soap recently from Etsy, so I feel like in theory lard can be good for skin too.

      Reply

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A lot of people think vinegar kills all microbes b A lot of people think vinegar kills all microbes because shelf stable pickles do not contain microbes. But with shelf stable pickles, it’s the pasteurization/sterilization via hot water bath or pressure canning that makes shelf stable pickles free of microbes.

Hot hot hot acid in a pressurized environment does kill, well…most microbes. 

Think about “refrigerator pickle” recipes, though. They need to be stored in the refrigerator because vinegar alone doesn’t stop fermentation.

Fridge pickles are made without pasteurization/sterilization (canning) so they will wild ferment without refrigeration, and not necessarily in a good way because there’s not enough salt. 

All vinegar is made via fermentation too, and vinegar fermentation involves acetic acid bacteria, but also a ton of LAB, mainly Lactobacillus, Pediococcus, and Leuconostoc (the same genera you’d find in fermented veg.)  I linked a reference paper in my fermented mushroom recipe blog, so you all can read about the LAB involved in vinegar fermentation. 

Try 🍄‍🟫googlin’🍄‍🟫“fermented mushrooms” and you’ll see my recipe, it’s the first result (usually) 🤗

#mushrooms #fermentation
I will not ever wild lacto ferment just beets agai I will not ever wild lacto ferment just beets again lol. Mixing with cabbage for beet sauerkraut is the best though! 

“Lacto fermented beets” was the first ferment I tried to make after learning sauerkraut in college. My best friend Sidney came over and we used these gorgeous beets from the farmers market, with 2.5% salt, and some spices. Well, it ended up tasting like beet moonshine and it was just… not good.

But it was a conduit for learning. Those beets were my first lesson in how different sugars and growth in the rhizosphere vs the phyllosphere influences fermentation. 

Cabbage and the cabbage microbiome offer a lot to balance out beets in fermentation, and I think mixing into a sauerkraut is the only way to go for lacto fermenting beets! 

Try googlin’ “beet and red cabbage sauerkraut” and you’ll see my recipe, I’m Cultured Guru.
Squash is the secret ingredient! My Roasted Butte Squash is the secret ingredient!

My Roasted Butternut Squash Hot Sauce recipe is free on my website! I didn’t cook this one, so yes it’s still probiotic.

When lactic acid bacteria ferment the starches in winter squash, they naturally convert them into emulsifying compounds called exopolysaccharides. So when we blend our hot sauce after fermentation, there’s no watery separation in the bottle. Roasting the squash with the garlic for the recipes also adds such good flavor! 

Definitely make sure it’s fully fermented and not bubbling anymore before you blend and bottle. Otherwise, it’ll carbonate in the cute little hot sauce bottles.

#hotsauce
Myth Busting: Yes, the SCOBY IS the pellicle! Plee Myth Busting: Yes, the SCOBY IS the pellicle! Pleeeease stop saying it’s not. 😌



Watch till the end, I show you how to grow one!



This is a little tidbit from what I teach in the Kombucha lesson in our Fermented Drinks Semester online course!

I also share this recipe FOR FREE just ✨GOOGLE✨ “cultured guru SCOBY” and you’ll see my full recipe with the perfect sugar to tea ratios for growing, feeding and maintaining a kombucha SCOBY.

#kombucha
And the knife stays in the box. GOOGLE “sourdoug And the knife stays in the box. 

GOOGLE “sourdough king cake” my recipe is the first one! 👑☂️💚✨

If you’re like me and prefer from scratch, homemade everything, you’ll definitely want to try this king cake for Mardi Gras! I used organic naturally dyed sprinkles and all that jazz too. 

If you just search “sourdough king cake” on google you’ll see my recipe, it’s usually the first one. 

My main tips for making this:
✨use a very active starter or throw in some instant yeast with your starter
✨make sure the dough is actually proofed before shaping it. If it’s cold in your house it will take longer. 
✨please follow directions! You can cold ferment the dough in the fridge after it doubles in size and BEFORE filling and shaping.

🎵Song is Casanova by Rebirth Brass Band
Fermentation is a gift from the microbes of this e Fermentation is a gift from the microbes of this earth.

When we had a food business, I could never shake the feeling that fermentation is not meant to be sold to you from a fluorescently lit grocery shelf in an endless cycle of waste. Fermentation is meant to be cultivated in your home, with your hands, with intention and love in a sustainable, grateful practice of reciprocity and nourishment. 

This is the story of how we got here. 

After so many lessons learned, our small fermentation business is now value aligned, peaceful, fulfilling, and happy.  It often seems like the gut feelings (the microbes within us) guided us in the right direction. To teach. 

You can learn for free on our blog, or you can enroll in our online courses (we extended our new year sale!) Either way, with me as your teacher, you’ll learn to adopt a holistic perspective on the microbial ecosystems that influence our food, lives, and the planet.
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