Tallow lip balm

Lips are some of the first skin to feel the dry months — and one of the easiest things to make for. This little balm melts on contact and stays put, with just three pantry-simple ingredients and twenty quiet minutes. Make a batch and tuck one in every coat pocket.

Fills about 6 small tins or tubes20 minBeginner-friendly

Small tins of homemade tallow lip balm on a pale linen surface. — Save this for later

Why this works

Tallow's lipids are remarkably close to your skin's own, so they cushion and soften rather than just coating. A little beeswax gives the balm its stay-put structure, while jojoba keeps it gliding on smooth.

What you'll need

1 oz grass-fed tallow (cosmetic-grade, by weight)
1 tsp beeswax pellets (cosmetic- or food-grade)
1 tsp jojoba oil
Optional: a drop of food-grade vanilla extract
Double boiler, a small spoon, 6 lip balm tins or tubes

Before you start

Patch test on your inner arm before first use.
Use cosmetic- or food-grade beeswax and keep all tools clean and fully dry.

How to make it

1
Gently melt the tallow and beeswax together in a double boiler over low heat until just liquid.
2
Stir in the jojoba oil and remove from the heat.
3
Stir in the vanilla if using, then pour into your tins or tubes.
4
Leave to set, undisturbed, for an hour or two until firm.

Maker's tips

Work quickly once it's melted — beeswax begins to firm up as soon as it cools.
Want it a touch softer? Add a few extra drops of jojoba. Firmer? A few more beeswax pellets.
Warm the tins slightly before pouring for a smooth, even top.

Keeping it fresh

Kept somewhere cool and dry, these stay lovely for about a year — there's no water in the recipe, so no preservative is needed. If a balm ever softens in a warm bag, a few minutes in the fridge brings it right back.

Common questions

Can I use this anywhere else?: Absolutely — it's lovely on dry cuticles, knuckles, or any spot that needs a little extra cushion.
Mine turned out too hard. What happened?: That's usually a touch too much beeswax. Gently re-melt and stir in a little more tallow and jojoba until it's the softness you like.
Do I need the beeswax?: For a lip balm, yes — it's what gives the balm its structure so it doesn't melt away too fast. Without it you'd have a softer salve, lovely for hands but not for a tube.

Keep reading

Love the ritual, not the cleanup?

Making your own is a joy — but on the busy weeks, ours is whipped, jarred, and ready. Same grass-fed tallow, none of the dishes.

Meet the Everywhere Balm See the Simple Start Duo

Tallow lip balm

Fills about 6 small tins or tubes20 minBeginner-friendly

Common questions

Can I use this anywhere else?

Absolutely — it's lovely on dry cuticles, knuckles, or any spot that needs a little extra cushion.

Mine turned out too hard. What happened?

That's usually a touch too much beeswax. Gently re-melt and stir in a little more tallow and jojoba until it's the softness you like.

Do I need the beeswax?

For a lip balm, yes — it's what gives the balm its structure so it doesn't melt away too fast. Without it you'd have a softer salve, lovely for hands but not for a tube.