This DIY tallow lip balm is a nourishing, natural lip balm made with beef tallow, beeswax, and herbal oils.

When it comes to lip care, I always reach for something simple, effective, and deeply nourishing. This DIY tallow lip balm is just that.

Made with rich beef tallow, skin-loving oils, and a touch of essential oil, this recipe makes a silky, long-lasting balm that keeps your lips soft no matter the season.

Tallow has been used for generations to soothe and protect the skin—and lips are no exception. If you’ve already made a batch of tallow lotion or tallow and honey balm, this is a lovely next step in your herbal skincare routine.

I love my calendula lip balm, but when I made this tallow version, my lips were SO much nourished, I couldn’t go back!

So I knew I had to share my recipe, so you can enjoy it too.

Why Use Tallow in Lip Balm?

Tallow is one of my favorite ingredients for healing, protective skincare. Rendered properly, it’s rich in fat-soluble vitamins (like A, D, E, and K) and deeply compatible with our skin’s natural oils.

When used in a beef tallow chapstick, it forms a breathable barrier that locks in moisture and encourages healing.

If you’re new to working with it, you can learn more in my guide on how to make tallow; it’s simpler than you’d think!

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How to Make Tallow Lip Balm

Here is my simple recipe to make your own homemade tallow lip balm. This recipe makes about 15 lip balm tubes:

Ingredients

2 tbsp castor oil (adds shine and glide)
2 tbsp jojoba oil (moisturizing + stable shelf life)
1 tsp cocoa butter (or shea butter)
3 tbsp beeswax (firmness + protection)
2 tbsp tallow (deeply nourishing base)
10 drops essential oil (optional, try peppermint, orange, or lavender)
Empty lip balm containers

You can also use herb-infused jojoba oil or infused tallow if you’d like to add extra healing properties. I like using lavender infused oil or a calendula infused tallow.

Instructions

In a double boiler over medium-low heat, melt together the tallow, beeswax, cocoa butter, jojoba oil, and castor oil. Stir gently while everything liquefies.

Once fully melted, remove from heat and allow to cool slightly for 1-2 minutes.

Stir in the essential oils (if using).

Carefully pour the mixture into lip balm containers. Let them sit uncovered at room temperature for a few hours until completely set.

Once hardened, cap them and store in a cool, dry place.

Optional Add-Ins

For a tinted lip balm recipe, add a pinch of beetroot powder or mica powder.
For extra healing, infuse your oils with calendula, chamomile, lavender, or plantain beforehand.
To match your favorite store-bought Chapstick, play around with scent combinations like honey-vanilla or lavender-orange.

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

Tallow Lip Balm

Yield: 15 lip balm containers

Materials

2 tbsp castor oil (adds shine and glide)
2 tbsp jojoba oil (moisturizing + stable shelf life)
1 tsp cocoa butter (or shea butter)
3 tbsp beeswax (firmness + protection)
2 tbsp tallow (deeply nourishing base)
10 drops essential oil (optional, try peppermint, orange, or lavender)
Empty lip balm containers

Instructions

In a double boiler over medium-low heat, melt together the tallow, beeswax, cocoa butter, jojoba oil, and castor oil. Stir gently while everything liquefies.
Once fully melted, remove from heat and allow to cool slightly for 1-2 minutes.
Stir in the essential oils (if using).
Carefully pour the mixture into lip balm containers. Let them sit uncovered at room temperature for a few hours until completely set.
Once hardened, cap them and store in a cool, dry place.

Notes

For a tinted lip balm recipe, add a pinch of beetroot powder or mica powder.
For extra healing, infuse your oils with calendula, chamomile, lavender, or plantain beforehand.
To match your favorite store-bought Chapstick, play around with scent combinations like honey-vanilla or lavender-orange.