DIY Tallow Lotion Recipe

This is the same recipe just scaled down that I use for our Tallow Lotion, so if you aren’t up for the challenge you can always purchase a bottle of our lotion - just click here!

You will need high quality tallow render from suet or leaf fat for this recipe. If you need more details on how to render your own tallow please see my recipe (click here) and stop at step 9. 

This recipe makes about 16 oz of lotion, ideal for filling two 8 oz bottles or jars.

Ingredients:

• Distilled water: 11 oz
• Stearic acid: 0.75 oz
• Emulsifying Wax: 0.75 oz
• Tallow: 1.4 oz 
• Liquid Oil (such as almond oil or jojoba oil): 2.1 oz
• Geogard 221 (natural preservative): 0.9 teaspoons
• Essential Oils: 0.9 teaspoons

Instructions:

1. Prepare the ingredients: Begin by weighing the tallow, liquid oil, emulsifying wax, and stearic acid. Place them in the top of a double boiler over medium heat.
2. Melt and combine: Allow the ingredients to fully melt and combine, stirring occasionally. This will ensure that the oils, wax, and stearic acid are evenly mixed.
3. Mix in the water: Slowly add the distilled water to the mixture while still on the heat. Whisk continuously to ensure the water and oils start to combine smoothly.
4. Emulsify the mixture: Gradually pour the remaining water into the melted tallow mixture in a thin stream, whisking constantly to help emulsify the water and oils together for a smooth consistency.
5. Heat the mixture: Bring the temperature of the water and oil mixture to 160–170°F. Hold the mixture at that temperature for 20 minutes to sterilize and fully emulsify.
6. Cool the mixture: After 20 minutes, remove the mixture from the heat and let it cool, whisking occasionally. As it cools, the lotion will start to thicken.
7. Add preservative and essential oils: Once the mixture has cooled, stir in Geogard 221 and your choice of essential oils for a customized scent.
8. Pour into containers: Pour the lotion into the container of your choice, whether that’s jars, squeeze bottles, or lotion pumps. The lotion will continue to thicken as it cools completely.

Some Tips:

• Customize with your favorite oil: You can easily swap out the liquid oils for others, like olive or avocado oil, based on your preferences. For our lotion I like to use Almond Oil.
• Thicker or thinner lotion?: If you want a thicker consistency, increase the amount of stearic acid slightly. 
• Preservation: Geogard 221 is a natural paraben-free, formaldehyde-free, and isothiazolone-free based system preservative, but make sure to add it once the lotion has cooled so it remains effective.

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