Tallow Chapstick - DIY Natural Homemade Lip Balm

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If you’re tired of store-bought lip balms that promise moisture but leave your lips feeling even drier, you’re not alone—and you’re in the right place. Today, we’re diving into a beautifully simple, all-natural solution that your lips will love: Tallow Chapstick – DIY Natural Homemade Lip Balm.

Featured image for tallow chapstick and lip balm

Crafted with nourishing tallow and other skin-loving, natural ingredients, this homemade lip balm is rich, restorative, and incredibly easy to make. Whether you’re a homesteader, a natural beauty enthusiast, or just someone who appreciates a good chapstick for dry lips, this tutorial is for you. Plus, it’s free from synthetic fillers, harsh chemicals, and plastic waste—just pure goodness in a tiny tube.

Ready to say goodbye to chapped lips? Let’s get started making this natural tallow lip balm!

Looking for a super simple “how-to” render beef suet into tallow? Check it out here. Or, if you’re interested in other tallow products with simple ingredients, check out my simple candle instructions here, or learn to make whipped or solid tallow balm guide here.

What is Beef Suet

Beef suet is the hard, white, crumbly fat from a cow. Essentially, it is a large chunk of beef fat found around the kidneys or the loins. The animal fat from the kidneys produces a milder taste (without the beefy smell) and is the best moisturizing fat. So in summary, the fat from the kidneys (also referred to as leaf fat) is preferred for tallow, cooking and skincare or beauty products. In addition, beef suet is ideal for frying and deep frying due to its high smoke point.

Where to Find Beef Suet

The best place to find high quality beef suet is a local farm. I am super fortunate that my father in law raises grass fed beef cattle right on our property. Another option would be most local butchers, butcher shop / local meat markets or locker plants. These places will sell animals fats at a super reasonable price, as they aren’t in as high of demand as they once were. Pasture raised, grass fed suet is always the best option.

Completed tallow chapstick lip balm on display with flowers and chapstick tins

Natural Benefits of Tallow

First of all, it is anti-inflammatory so may help with conditions such as asthma or arthritis. Tallow supports gut health and a healthy microbiome because it contains butyric acid.

In addition, tallow contains choline which has been proven to help regulate mood, muscle control, and memory. It contains fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) which all support the immune system and bone health. When it comes to skin health, tallow’s vitamins can help produce collagen as well as smooth and heal a variety of skin issues (eczema, dryness, and acne). What a magical product!

How-to Make the Best Lip Balm

Tallow Chapstick – DIY Natural Homemade Lip Balm recipe makes small batches of chapstick (six .15 oz chapstick tubes and four .35 oz lip balm tins). In addition, this recipe is great for all skin types, even sensitive skin, and provides long-lasting hydration.

Ingredients

Only 3 simple ingredients are necessary to make chapstick! However, an optional fourth ingredient of essential oils is recommended.

Beef tallow
Beeswax
Coconut Oil
Essential Oil (optional)

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

First, add the grass-fed tallow, beeswax, and coconut oil to the double boiler. Slowly warm on medium heat. Once the ingredients are completely melted and in a liquid form, remove from the heat.

DIY homemade tallow chapstick lip balm step one melt the ingredients

Let the mixture cool slightly, and then add in the essential oils. Stir well.

Pour the liquid mixture into the chapstick tubes and/or little lip balm tins. Let the liquid solidify at room temperature.

Pouring the tallow, beeswax, coconut oil and essential oils into the lip balm tubes and tins

Once the balm has solidified, enjoy your own lip balm!

Completed tallow chapstick lip balm on display with flowers and chapstick tins, single lip balm tube

Essential Oils

Essential oils provide many benefits. Some of our favorite essential oils to use in the homemade chapstick are:

Lemon – can kill bacteria, clarify and exfoliate skin
Tea Tree – has antiseptic, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties
Peppermint – has cooling effects and can provide relief and soothing

Materials

Double Boiler
Chapstick Tubes or Small Tins
Grass-fed Tallow
Beeswax
Coconut Oil
Essential Oils

Storage

Store the chapstick in a cool dry place. Apply as needed to dry or chapped lips, or use as a protective barrier for lips.

FAQ

Why add beeswax?

Beeswax works as a natural preservative. It also creates the perfect consistency and texture.

Is tallow good for lips?

Tallow is an excellent natural ingredient. It is moisturizing, gentle, and has the ability to heal and repair cracked lips.

Do I need essential oils?

No, essential oils are optional. However, there are many benefits of adding essential oils to the homemade chapstick.

Pinterest image got diy tallow lip balm chapstick

Tallow Chapstick – DIY Natural Homemade Lip Balm

This recipe makes small batches of chapstick (6 .15 oz chapstick tubes and 4 .35 oz lip balm tins). In addition, this recipe is great for all skin types, even sensitive skin, and provides long-lasting hydration.

Prep Time5

Active Time3

Resting Time1

Total Time1 8

Yield: chapsticks

Author: Porchontheprairie

Cost: $20 Batch

Equipment

Double Boiler
Chapstick Tubes or Small Tins

Materials

3 TBS Grass-fed Tallow
2 TBS Beeswax
1 TBS Coconut Oil
15 Drops Essential Oils

Instructions

First, add the grass-fed tallow, beeswax, and coconut oil to the double boiler on medium heat. Once the ingredients are completely melted and in a liquid form, remove from the heat.
Let cool slightly, and add in the essential oils. Stir well.
Pour the liquid mixture into the chapstick tubes and/or little lip balm tins. Let the liquid solidify at room temperature.
Once the balm has solidified, enjoy your own lip balm!