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Old-fashioned tallow and honey balm in a blue jar styled with honey dipper and soft linens on a marble surface.
Stephanie

Tallow and Honey Balm (Old-Fashioned Honey Tallow Balm Recipe)

This old-fashioned tallow and honey balm is a simple, deeply nourishing skin balm made with grass fed beef tallow, honey, and a small amount of oil for a smooth, spreadable texture. Inspired by traditional skincare methods, this balm helps soften dry skin and lock in moisture using simple, time-tested ingredients. The natural richness of tallow combined with honey creates a gentle balm suitable for hands, face, and dry areas that need extra care. This recipe comes together quickly and sets into a creamy, long-lasting balm that stores well and can be used year-round.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
43 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup grass fed beef tallow 100 to 110 g
  • 1 tablespoon raw honey or manuka honey 21 g
  • 1 tablespoon beeswax (pellets or finely chopped) 14 g
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil 13.5 g (optional, for a softer balm, I personally omit this)
  • 10–15 drops essential oil (optional, I prefer to use to use frankincense or lavender for my face)
Essential oils are optional. This balm is effective without them. When I link to essential oils, I’m linking to the brand I personally use and trust. Young Living offers a 10% share discount on orders of 50 PV or more with code SHAREYL, if you’d like to take advantage of it

Equipment

  • Double boiler or heat-safe bowl set over a saucepan
  • Glass jar for storage
  • Spoon or spatula

Method
 

  1. Add the beef tallow and beeswax to a double boiler. Heat gently over low heat until fully melted, stirring occasionally.
  2. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly. It should still be liquid but not hot. Then, stir in the raw honey until fully incorporated. Mixing slowly helps the honey blend evenly.
  3. Add olive oil if using, followed by essential oils if desired.
  4. Pour into small jars or tins and let set at room temperature.

Notes

Tips for Best Results

  • If your home is very warm, add an extra teaspoon of beeswax for a firmer balm.
  • For very sensitive skin, skip essential oils entirely.
  • Manuka honey offers additional skin benefits, but raw local honey also works beautifully.
  • Always allow the mixture to cool slightly before adding honey to preserve its natural properties.