DIY Healing Tallow Salve Recipe

Learn how to make my DIY healing tallow salve with this easy recipe! I love homemade tallow products, especially when they are infused with herbs.

I love tallow and herbs, so I knew I HAD to make a super healing tallow salve. And it did not disappoint at all.

Made from grass-fed rendered tallow, infused with some of my favorite healing herbs like lavender, this salve works wonders for dry, irritated skin.

Tallow, an ancient skincare ingredient, is packed with vitamins and fatty acids that your skin loves.

Whether you have eczema, chapped hands, or just want a natural moisturizer, this lavender-infused tallow salve might just become your new skincare staple.

Learn how I made this incredibly healing homemade tallow salve along with some of my favorite benefits of this cream!

What is a Tallow Salve?

Tallow, derived from the fat of cattle, is packed with essential fatty acids and vitamins A, D, E, and K, all of which contribute to skin health.

When combined with the calming, anti-inflammatory properties of lavender and other herbs, this salve becomes an incredibly effective skin-healing powerhouse.

If you love herbal-infused salves like this one, you might also enjoy making a yarrow salve, another wonderfully healing option that’s been used for centuries to support skin recovery.

The beauty of this homemade healing tallow salve is in how simple it is to make and how useful it is.

Using natural ingredients like beeswax and carrier oils makes it a clean, chemical-free skincare solution, offering deep hydration and nourishment for dry or damaged skin.

My kids absolutely love using this for any of their owies and boo boos they get, and I feel so confident in it that it will help them heal. It’s a win win to me!

Pin This Post For Later:

Some of these links are affiliate links meaning if you purchase from these links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Everything I share is my own opinions and things I personally use and love. You can learn more by reviewing my disclosure. As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Ingredients Needed for Homemade Healing Tallow Salve

• ½ cup grass fed rendered tallow  (learn how to render your own here)
• 3 teaspoon carrier oil 
• Lavender flowers
• Calendula flowers
• 1 teaspoon beeswax 
• 7 drops lavender essential oil
• 7 drops helichrysum essential oil

How to Make This Healing Tallow Salve

Start by placing your lavender and calendula flowers into a glass jar. Pour the carrier oil over the flowers, making sure they’re fully submerged.

Seal the jar and leave it in a cool, dark place for about six weeks. During this time, the flowers will slowly release their beneficial properties into the oil, creating a powerful infusion.

A common mistake people make at this stage is rushing the infusion process. Patience is key! The longer you let the flowers infuse, the more potent your lavender oil will be.

After six weeks, strain the flowers from the infused oil. This is a simple step that will leave you with a beautiful, fragrant infused oil. You can use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove any leftover plant material, ensuring your salve has a smooth texture.

In a glass jar, combine the rendered tallow, beeswax, and infused oil. Place the jar over a double boiler (a pot of simmering water with the jar sitting inside) and gently heat the mixture until the tallow and beeswax melt completely. Stir occasionally to help them combine.

A common mistake at this stage is overheating the mixture. You want to melt the ingredients slowly over low heat to preserve the nutrients in the tallow and avoid damaging the beeswax’s beneficial properties.

Never use high heat, as this can alter the consistency and effectiveness of your salve.

Once everything is fully melted and blended together, remove the jar from the double boiler. Now, it’s time to add in your lavender essential oil and helichrysum essential oil (around 7 drops each).

This will boost the soothing properties and fragrance of the salve. Stir well to ensure the essential oils are evenly incorporated.

Carefully pour the melted mixture into a glass jar or tin, and allow it to cool and solidify. Depending on the room temperature, this could take a few hours.

Once it solidifies, you have your all-natural tallow salve!

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making Tallow Salve

• Overheating the ingredients: As mentioned earlier, tallow and beeswax should be melted slowly to retain their skin-healing properties. High heat can break down the beneficial vitamins in the tallow.
  
• Rushing the infusion process: Lavender takes time to fully infuse into carrier oils. Don’t rush this process! Allow the lavender flowers to sit in the oil for at least six weeks to get the full benefit.
  
• Using poor-quality lavender oil: Always use high-quality, pure lavender essential oil and helichrysum essential oil to ensure you’re getting the full therapeutic benefits. Low-quality oils might not have the same potency. I prefer Simply Earth, Mountain Rose Herbs, or Plant Therapy.
  
• Not stirring the salve enough: When mixing in the essential oils, make sure to stir the mixture well. Otherwise, the oils could separate, affecting the consistency and effectiveness of your salve.

Healing Tallow Salve Benefits for Skin

Here are some of my favorite benefits to this incredible healing tallow salve recipe:

• Deep hydration: The fatty acids in tallow are easily absorbed by the skin, providing long-lasting moisture that helps repair dry and cracked skin.
  
• Soothing properties: Lavender essential oil is known for its calming effects, not just on the mind, but on irritated skin as well. This makes lavender tallow salve perfect for soothing conditions like eczema, sunburn, or razor burn.
  
• Anti-inflammatory effects: Both tallow and lavender are natural anti-inflammatory agents, helping to reduce redness, swelling, and irritation in the skin.
  
• Rich in vitamins: Tallow is a vitamin-rich fat that helps with skin cell regeneration, making it excellent for overall skin health and healing.
  
• Safe for sensitive skin: Lavender tallow salve is free from synthetic chemicals, making it an ideal solution for those with sensitive skin or allergies to store-bought creams.

Tips for Customizing Your Lavender Tallow Salve

• Add other essential oils: While lavender is calming, you can experiment with other essential oils like tea tree oil for acne, chamomile for sensitive skin, or frankincense for anti-aging benefits.
  
• Adjust the texture: If you prefer a firmer salve, add a little more beeswax. For a softer salve, reduce the beeswax and increase the amount of carrier oil.
  
• Add colorants: If you want a pop of color, consider adding natural colorants like beetroot powder or spirulina. This is purely for aesthetic purposes, but it can make your homemade salve look extra pretty!
  
• Preserving your salve: If you want to increase the shelf life, consider adding a few drops of Vitamin E oil, which acts similar to a natural preservative and adds even more nourishment for your skin.

Want to live a natural life but also like to use medicine from time to time? Check out my FREE community for moms just like you!

How to Use DIY Tallow Salve in Your Skincare Routine

Here are some of my favorite ways to use this DIY healing tallow salve:

• As a daily moisturizer: Apply the lavender tallow salve to dry areas like elbows, knees, and hands to keep them soft and hydrated.
  
• For dry skin or eczema: If you have cracked or irritated skin, this salve can help reduce inflammation and promote healing.
  
• As a lip balm: The thick consistency makes this salve perfect for chapped lips—apply a thin layer throughout the day for extra hydration.
  
• As a night repair balm: Use it on your hands, feet, or anywhere you need extra moisture before bed for skin that feels soft and rejuvenated in the morning. This is usually how I use it!
  
• As an “owie” cream for little ones: My kids always love to put on creams to help their cuts and boo boos feel better. This one is their new favorite!

From dry skin to sore muscles, 22 Herbal Salves Recipes teaches you how to make natural remedies at home!

FAQs About Healing Tallow Salve

• Can I use other essential oils with tallow? Yes! Feel free to experiment with other oils like frankincense, chamomile, or peppermint, depending on your skin needs.
  
• How long does tallow salve last? If stored properly in a cool, dry place, your lavender tallow salve should last for several months, up to a year.
  
• Is tallow suitable for acne-prone skin? Yes, tallow can be beneficial for acne-prone skin because it helps balance the skin’s natural oils without clogging pores. However, always test it on a small patch first.
  
• What’s the best way to store my salve? Store your salve in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. A glass jar or tin is perfect for easy application.

Learn how to easily switch out your products with more natural solutions with this Natural Living Made Easy Freebie!

Final Thoughts

This healing tallow salve is a wonderful, natural way to hydrate and heal your skin. I will always will keep a jar in my house! So, why not give it a try? Your skin will thank you!

Popular Tallow Recipes:

• Melt and Pour Tallow Soap
• Whipped Tallow Balm
• Rose Tallow Face Cream
• Tallow Body Butter
• Tallow Candle
• Tallow Sugar Scrub
• Tallow Moisturizer Stick
• Castor Oil and Tallow Face Cream
• Tallow Magnesium Lotion
• DIY Makeup Remover
• Tallow Lip Balm
• Tallow Lotion Bars

Make your own clean, skin-loving tallow products with 20 step-by-step recipes anyone can follow.

You will love these other great DIY natural recipes: