How to Make All-Natural Tallow Face Moisturizer
A simple, nourishing recipe for glowing skin made with tallow, jojoba oil, vitamin E, and essential oils.
There’s something deeply satisfying about crafting your own skincare — knowing exactly what’s in it and choosing ingredients that truly nourish your skin. Over the years, I’ve slowly swapped out store-bought products for handmade ones, and this all-natural tallow face moisturizer has become one of my absolute favorites.
It’s rich, creamy, and full of goodness from the homestead — tallow, jojoba oil, and vitamin E, with a touch of essential oils for natural fragrance and skin support. It feels luxurious, yet simple, like something your great-grandmother might have kept on her vanity.
Why Tallow?
Tallow has been used for centuries as a natural skincare ingredient. It’s incredibly moisturizing, rich in nutrients, and its fatty acid profile is very similar to our skin’s own sebum — making it easily absorbed and deeply nourishing. When rendered from grass-fed beef fat, tallow is packed with vitamins A, D, E, and K — all essential for healthy, radiant skin.
Ingredients You’ll Need
1/2 c tallow
4 tbsp jojoba oil
6 tbsp aloe vera juice
2 tsp vitamin e oil
12 drops lavender essential oil
12 drops frankincense essential oil
12 drops rose essential oil
How to Make It
Melt the tallow gently in a double boiler until just liquid.
Add jojoba and vitamin E oil, stirring to combine.
Allow the mixture to cool slightly, then add your chosen essential oils.
Pour into a mixing bowl and place in the fridge for about 10–15 minutes, until it just begins to solidify.
Using a hand mixer, whip until the texture becomes light and fluffy — like whipped butter.
Spoon into a small glass jar and store in a cool, dry place.
A little goes a long way — just a pea-sized amount is enough for your whole face!
How to Use
Apply a small amount to clean skin, morning or night. It melts beautifully on contact and leaves your skin feeling soft and hydrated without being greasy.
This moisturizer also works wonderfully as a hand or body balm — especially during dry winter months.
Tips & Variations
For extra dry skin, try adding a teaspoon of shea butter when melting the tallow.
For oily or acne-prone skin, use a lighter hand with the tallow and opt for balancing essential oils like tea tree or lavender.
Store in a cool space or refrigerator during warm months to maintain texture.
A Return to Simple Beauty
Making your own skincare is about more than just the product — it’s about slowing down, choosing ingredients with care, and reconnecting with the simple, intentional way of living that homesteading inspires.
If you’d like to see this recipe in action, be sure to watch my latest video:
🎥 How to Make All-Natural Tallow Face Moisturizer | DIY Skincare with Jojoba & Vitamin E
