I used to think making lotion at home was way too complicated, like some advanced chemistry class I never signed up for. Creams, emulsifiers, water phases, oil phases… it all felt so intimidating. So for years, I stuck to simple things like body butters and salves that were basically just oils and waxes melted together.

Then I started hearing more and more about a DIY tallow lotion, a real, pumpable lotion made with rendered beef tallow, and I was genuinely curious. So I got to work learning and playing around until I finally figured out how to make my own homemade tallow lotion!

It took A LOT of trial and error, but I finally found one I am happy with, so I wanted to share it with you too 🙂

Benefits

This homemade tallow lotion recipe is a short, purposeful ingredient list, and every single thing in it is pulling its weight:

Beef tallow is the star of the show here, and honestly, beef tallow lotion benefits are kind of incredible. Tallow is rendered animal fat and it’s remarkably similar in composition to human skin lipids. That means it absorbs deeply without sitting on top of your skin like a greasy film!
Jojoba oil (or a herbal-infused oil if you swap it out) is deeply moisturizing and known for its skin-balancing properties. It’s technically a liquid wax, so it mimics the skin’s natural sebum, making it a FANTASTIC addition to any lotion. I used a chamomile-infused oil in mine, which adds a gentle, soothing quality that I especially love for my kids’ sensitive skin 🙂
Emulsifying wax is what makes this a true lotion rather than a salve, it binds the water and oil phases together so you get that smooth, pumpable texture. Cetyl alcohol (a fatty alcohol, NOT the drying kind) thickens and stabilizes the lotion while adding a silky skin feel.
Distilled water gives the lotion its light texture and helps with absorption. Using distilled, not tap water, is important because it keeps bacteria and contaminants out of your formula.
Geogard ECT or another broad-spectrum preservative is non-negotiable any time you’re mixing water and oils together. Trust me, I figured that out the hard way when I made my first water-based product without one.

Any lotion with water in it needs a proper preservative to be safe and shelf-stable! You can use a variety of them, I just have Geogard ECT on hand.

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DIY Tallow Lotion Recipe

Makes: About 8 ounces

Ingredients

All measurements are by weight. For best results, use a kitchen scale. Volume amounts in parentheses are approximate.

Water Phase:

177 g (¾ cup) distilled water

Oil Phase:

20 g (1½ tablespoons) rendered tallow
19 g (1½ tablespoons) jojoba oil
9 g (1 tablespoon) emulsifying wax
3 g (1 teaspoon) cetyl alcohol

Cool-Down Phase:

1 g (about 30 drops) essential oils (optional, I used Happy Joy, it smells SO good!)
2.5 g (½ teaspoon) Geogard ECT (or other preservative)

Instructions

In a heat-safe container, add the distilled water and heat to about 160°F (71°C).

In a separate heat-safe container, combine tallow, jojoba oil, emulsifying wax, and cetyl alcohol.

Heat until completely melted and also around 160°F (71°C).

Slowly pour the oil phase into the water phase.

Blend with an immersion blender for 2-3 minutes, until the mixture is fully emulsified.

Allow the lotion to cool to below 120°F (49°C).

Measuring tallow and ingredients for DIY lotion recipe.

Add in the preservative and essential oils. Blend or stir thoroughly to incorporate.

Pour into sanitized pump bottles or jars.

Notes

This recipe produces a light, pumpable lotion rather than a thick body butter.
Jojoba oil may be replaced with sweet almond oil or an herbal-infused oil. I did chamomile-infused oil.
For a thicker lotion, increase the cetyl alcohol to 4.5 g (1½ teaspoons).
If the lotion thickens too much after cooling, gently reheat and add 15–30 g (1–2 tablespoons) of distilled water, then blend again.
Always sanitize equipment and containers thoroughly before making lotions containing water.
With the preservative, it should last between 6-12 months.

opened White lotion bottle placed upright on a marble surface with chamomile flowers.

How to Use It

Apply this DIY tallow lotion the same way you’d use any everyday moisturizer, after a shower, before bed, or any time your skin needs a little love.

A small pump goes a long way, especially on damp skin right after washing. I use it on my hands constantly, my hands get SO dry, and my daughter loves it on her legs after bath time.

I loved having it in this pump to keep in my purse when we are out and about.

For storage, keep it in a pump bottle or a jar with a tight lid, away from direct sunlight. With a proper preservative, it should stay good for 6-12 months at room temperature, though honestly, mine never lasts that long because everyone in the house uses it!!

A few things to keep in mind: if you’re pregnant or using this on very young babies, double-check the essential oils you’re adding, as not all are safe for those groups.

And as always, do a quick patch test if you or your littles have very sensitive skin.

DIY Tallow Lotion Recipe

Yield: About 8 ounces

A light, pumpable homemade lotion made with beef tallow, jojoba oil, emulsifying wax, and distilled water. It absorbs deeply into the skin and is great for everyday moisturizing use.

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