Lotion bars are a really great tool to moisturize the skin. If you’re not familiar with lotion bars, they look like soap but are used on dry skin—similar to lotion. Lotion bars are safe for sensitive skin, and our recipe is even hypoallergenic. Let’s get started!
What is Tallow?
Our lotion bar recipe contains tallow, and you may be wondering why. Tallow is fat that is rendered from beef. Now, you really may be wondering why we are using it! Tallow has been proven to have significant skin benefits and has been used for centuries.
Beef tallow is 50 percent saturated fat, 42 percent monounsaturated fat, and four percent polyunsaturated fat. Similarly, the structure of human cell membranes is made up of 50 percent saturated fats. Fatty acids are the building blocks of healthy skin cells, making them a key nutrient for skin repair and regeneration. Tallow also contains fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E, and K, for even more skin benefits.
How to Make Tallow Lotion Bars
Our hypoallergenic tallow lotion bar recipe takes less than 2o minutes to make. You will need:
- 1/3 cup beef tallow
- 1/3 cup shea butter or cocoa butter
- 2 TBSP beeswax
- 20+ drops of the essential oils of your choice (make sure you use skin-safe oils in proper ratios of dilution)
To make the lotion bars:
- Combine all of the ingredients in the top part of a double boiler over a little bit of water.
- Turn your stove burner on and bring the water to a low simmer. Be sure to stir the ingredients constantly until they melt or become smooth.
- Remove pot from heat and mix in the essential oils.
- Transfer to molds to allow the bars to harden.
- Let lotion bars cool completely before you pop them out of their molds.
Store your lotion bars in a cool, dry place for up to six months.
To use:
- Hold the lotion bar in your hand and gently rub on dry skin. The heat from your skin will transfer some of the lotion bar onto your skin.
Skin Benefits of Tallow
We briefly mentioned why tallow is good for the skin, but let’s take a closer look now.
Healthy Fats Create Healthy Skin
Tallow contains the same fats or lipids that are found in healthy, supple human skin. Lipids are found abundantly in every cell membrane in the human body and are responsible for the free-flowing of liquids (moisture) inside and outside of our cells. Lipids are advantageous because they create a protective but permeable barrier that helps prevent infection while maintaining the skin’s moisture and flexibility. Tallow is also believed to prevent dryness at the cellular level without suffocating the barrier of the skin like petroleum-based lotion does.
Promotes Youthful-Looking Skin
As we mentioned, beef tallow is loaded with vitamins A, D, K and antioxidants. One of those antioxidants is vitamin E, which is known to promote skin rejuvenation by fighting the free radicals that cause wrinkles. Vitamin D has the ability to restore the skin’s vibrancy.
Intense Moisturizer
Tallow has been used for centuries upon centuries because it works. It is an intense moisturizer that helps the skin retain its natural moisture. It replenishes the skin’s building blocks that lower with age. Tallow is non-greasy, won’t clog the pores, is 100% natural, and long-lasting. It works to prevent dryness all day but only needs to be applied one time.
If you are ready to start reaping the benefits of tallow and seeing your most beautiful, youthful skin yet, follow our recipe above. Don’t forget to let us know how it turned out and share photos of your lotion bars with us!