Sept 1, 2017
Ahhh, Canadian winter! There is nothing like that quiet, surreal, peaceful vibe that settles all around as snow falls around you. The daylight hours are shorter, and the temperatures becomes colder.
Unfortunately, winter also often brings about changes to your skin. Dry skin is extremely common when the weather turns colder. Folks with chronic skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis often suffer the worst. They often enjoy a short reprieve in the summer months but then experience a worsening of their
skin conditions come winter.
The worst thing we could do for our skin is lather on a suppressive steroid cream or a chemical laden “natural” lotion which usually contains a petroleum product. Instead, reach for tallow balm! An incredibly soothing and nourishing cream. I personally use this balm for my face and body and my skin has never
been more clear and healthy looking. The following article offers a plethora of important information on the benefits of tallow and why it’s the best choice for our skin. Included in the article is a simple and inexpensive recipe so that you can make your own. Enjoy!
Years ago, when I misplaced my regular moisturizer in a move, I discovered by happy accident that tallow is uniquely compatible with our skin’s biology, leaving it supple and nourished after use. Rich in fat soluble vitamins A, D, and K along with a saturated fat ratio that closely resembles what our cells use to maintain integrity, it absorbs easily without leaving a greasy residue behind.
I’ve used this tallow balm for dry/chapped skin, diaper rash, and sunburns, and many of my friends swear by it for soothing eczema. But don’t think of it just as a “boo boo” balm – it makes an amazing daily moisturizer for the face and body. You can also slather it on your feet and throw some socks on for an intensive moisture treatment.
What To Buy If You Don’t Want To DIY
If you have tallow on hand – either homemade or purchased – it’s super easy to make. However, if you don’t have easy access to tallow or are short on time, my friend Emilie sells pre-made tallow balm blends that smell amazing.
Although I love to make my own so that I can customize my essential oil blend, there are times when I’ve got too much going on and order from her instead.
She’s carefully formulated the essential oils in each balm to be safe for use on the face and with children. If you want to try it out, click here and use MOMMYPOTAMUS at checkout for 10% off your first order.
Wondering what essential oils to use?
For skin balms I prefer oils that support skin repair and renewal, elasticity and firmness, and even skin tone, such as
neroli
Two pre-made blends that would also work beautifully are Anti-Age (which smells amazing) and Soft Skin.
Note: The essential oils marked with an asterisk (*) should be avoided if pregnant or nursing. For a longer list of essential oils to avoid during pregnancy/breastfeeding click here, and for a list of oils that are considered safe for pregnancy/nursing click here.
What type of tallow is best?
Tallow obtained by scooping the fat off the top of a chilled container of beef broth will likely have more moisture than traditionally rendered tallow. For that reason it tends to go bad quickly. Stick with the traditional process and your finished product should last about a year at room temperature.
How To Make Tallow Balm
Makes approximately 1/2 cup – I fill a 4 ounce jelly jar to the brim when I make a batch.
Ingredients
3.5 ounces tallow by weight – about 1/2 cup melted (Buy it here or render your own tallow using this method)
2 tablespoons olive oil
27 drops essential oil for face application, or up to 54 drops for body application – optional, see suggestions in the post above. If you’re making this balm as a natural diaper balm for babies under two, use up to 8 drops of a child-safe essential oil.
Instructions
Melt the tallow gently over low heat, then pour into a large bowl and mix in the olive oil and essential oils. Allow to cool for about an hour, then whip with a hand mixer until it looks like frosting. Whipping gives it a lighter consistency that makes application easier. Place in a clean jar and use as needed. Shelf life is about one year.
https://mommypotamus.com/how-to-make-tallow-balm/