DIY Tallow Lip Balm Recipe - The Natural Lip Balm Your Skin Will Love
When it comes to skincare, lip care is often overlooked. Yet our lips are some of the most delicate skin we have - thinner, more prone to dryness, and constantly exposed to the elements.
That’s where a DIY tallow lip balm comes in. Unlike many conventional lip balms that rely on synthetic waxes or petroleum jelly, a tallow-based lip balm delivers deep, skin-compatible nourishment that truly hydrates and protects.
At BOTALLOW, we specialise in cosmetic-grade tallow: a pure, low-odour fat rendered gently from New Zealand grass-fed beef suet. Rich in vitamins and fatty acids that mimic your skin’s natural oils, it’s a game-changer for anyone looking for a natural lip balm recipe that really works.
Why Choose Tallow for a Lip Balm?
Skin-identical nutrition
Tallow is uniquely close in composition to human sebum. It’s rich in vitamins A, D, E, and K, as well as fatty acids like palmitic, stearic, and oleic acids. This makes it one of the most biocompatible natural skincare ingredients available.
Deep hydration
Plant-based balms often sit on the surface, creating a waxy layer without addressing the root cause of dryness. Tallow lip balm penetrates deeper, restoring the skin barrier while still sealing in moisture.
Healing & soothing
Tallow contains natural cholesterol which helps with repair and regeneration — ideal for cracked or winter-dry lips.
Sustainable skincare
By using suet - a part of the cow often discarded - tallow lip balm embraces a nose-to-tail philosophy. It’s a more regenerative choice than imported shea or cocoa butter, with a significantly lower carbon footprint.
DIY Tallow Lip Balm Recipe (200g Batch)
This recipe makes a generous supply — enough to share with friends, stock your handbag, or gift to others.
Ingredients:
- 90g BOTALLOW Cosmetic-Grade Tallow
- 34g Beeswax
- 20g Shea Butter
- 34g Olive Oil
- 10g Castor Oil
- ~½ tsp Vitamin E (optional — about 2–3 capsules or 40–50 drops; adds antioxidants & extends shelf life)
- ~20 drops Essential Oil (we used peppermint, but you can experiment with lavender, vanilla, sweet orange, or even food-safe flavour oils)
- ~⅛ tsp Natural Colour/Mica (optional — try pink, bronze, or shimmer for a tinted lip balm)
Method:
- Gently melt tallow, beeswax, shea butter, olive oil, and castor oil in a double boiler until fully liquid.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Stir in Vitamin E (if using), essential oil, and mica.
- Pour into lip balm tubes or tins, allow to set, and enjoy!
Tips for Customising Your Natural Lip Balm
- For extra shine: increase castor oil slightly.
- For a firmer balm: add more beeswax.
- For a softer balm: reduce beeswax and increase shea butter.
- For tinted lip balm: experiment with natural mica powders in different shades.
The BOTALLOW Difference
Not all tallow is created equal. Culinary or industrial tallows are typically rendered at high heat, which can lead to strong odours and degraded nutrients.
BOTALLOW’s cosmetic-grade tallow is different:
- Gently wet-rendered and dry-finished to preserve fatty acid integrity.
- Derived exclusively from New Zealand grass-fed suet.
- Low odour, smooth texture, and perfect for cosmetic formulations.
When you use BOTALLOW in your DIY skincare recipes, you’re not just making something natural — you’re creating products that are ancestral, nutrient-rich, and sustainable.
Make Your Own Natural Lip Balm Today
Crafting your own lip balm is fun, affordable, and incredibly rewarding. Once you try a tallow-based lip balm, you’ll notice the difference immediately: lips that stay soft, hydrated, and resilient.
Ready to give it a go? Try this recipe and tag @botallowlimited in your creations. We’d love to see your DIY lip balm results!
