Lavender Tallow Oatmeal Face Scrub Recipe

This homemade lavender tallow oatmeal face scrub recipe blends moisturizing tallow with finely ground oatmeal to exfoliate, rice flour for glass skin, dried lavender flowers to kill bacteria, and essential oils.
Together the face mask ingredients work to gently exfoliate while leaving skin soft, calm, and refreshed. This face scrub actually works with your skin’s natural chemistry instead of against it restoring vital nutrients, fats, and eliminating acne causing bacteria.
This tutorial has step by step directions so you can learn how to make your own lavender tallow face scrub.
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Lavender tallow oatmeal face scrub is quick and easy to make and can help with dry skin, redness, and exfoliates to give your skin a healthy glow.
Why you’ll love this scrub
Why these work together to create an amazing Face Scrub
Combining these three ingredients creates a synergistic powerhouse that transforms a basic exfoliation routine into a restorative skin treatment.
While the oatmeal gently lifts away dead skin cells and calms surface redness, the grass-fed tallow immediately steps in to “refat” the skin, delivering bio-identical nutrients and fat-soluble vitamins deep into the newly exposed pores.
To top it off, lavender provides a medicinal finish—disinfecting the skin against acne-causing bacteria and soothing the sensory system to lower skin-stressing cortisol.
Together, they don’t just “scrub” the surface; they work in a three-step cycle of cleansing, nourishing, and protecting that leaves the skin barrier stronger than it was before you started.
Benefits of Tallow For Skin
Tallow has made a massive comeback in recent years and for good reason. Because its lipid profile is strikingly similar to our own skin’s sebum, it’s one of the few ingredients your face actually “recognizes” and absorbs without a fight.
Here’s why adding tallow to your face scrub is a total game-changer:
- Bio-Identical Composition: Tallow is uniquely compatible with human skin cells. Unlike many plant oils that sit on top, tallow mimics your natural oils, allowing it to penetrate deep into the dermis to deliver nutrients.
- The “Vitamin Bomb”: It is naturally rich in fat-soluble Vitamins A, D, E, and K. These are powerhouses for skin regeneration, fighting oxidative stress, and boosting collagen production.
- Rich in Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA): This fatty acid has potent anti-inflammatory properties, making it excellent for calming redness or “angry” skin flare-ups.
- Deep Hydration: High levels of stearic and oleic acids help repair the skin barrier, locking in moisture long after you’ve rinsed the scrub off.
Why Tallow Shines in a Face Scrub
Using tallow as the base for a physical exfoliant (like one made with sugar or fine sea salt) offers some specific perks:
- The “Buffer” Effect: Exfoliating can sometimes be harsh. Tallow provides a rich, velvety glide that protects the skin from micro-tears while the abrasive particles do their work.
- Post-Scrub Protection: Often, scrubs leave the skin feeling “stripped.” Because tallow is so occlusive, it leaves a breathable protective layer behind, so your face feels supple rather than tight.
- Softens “Grit”: It helps soften the dead skin cells and hardened sebum (blackheads) before the exfoliant sweeps them away, making the whole process much more effective.
A Quick Tip: make sure you’re using grass-fed tallow. The nutrient profile (especially the Vitamin E and CLA levels) is significantly higher than grain-fed alternatives.
Benefits of Oatmeal for Your Skin
Adding oatmeal to a tallow-based face scrub is a brilliant move. While tallow handles the deep lipid nourishment, oatmeal acts as the “gentle giant” of exfoliation—soothing the skin while physically sweeping away debris.
1. Gentle Physical Exfoliation
Unlike crushed shells or large salt crystals, oatmeal has a soft, grainy texture when ground. It provides micro-exfoliation that removes dead skin cells without causing micro-tears, making it safe for sensitive or acne-prone skin.
2. Saponin Power (Natural Cleansing)
Oatmeal contains natural plant compounds called saponins. These act as mild, soap-like cleansers that help break down excess oil and dirt within the pores without stripping the skin’s moisture barrier.
3. Anti-Inflammatory “Avenanthramides”
Oats are the exclusive source of a group of potent antioxidants called avenanthramides.
They significantly reduce redness, itching, and irritation. This makes an oatmeal scrub ideal for calming “angry” skin or flare-ups from eczema and psoriasis.
4. Moisturization via Polysaccharides
Oatmeal is rich in polysaccharides, which turn into a fine, protective “mucilage” when mixed with water or oil.
- The Benefit: This creates a hydrating film on the skin that binds moisture to the surface, preventing the “tight” feeling often associated with scrubbing.
5. Skin Barrier Support (Beta-Glucan)
Oats contain beta-glucan, a sugar molecule that can penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin. It stimulates collagen production and strengthens the skin’s immune system, helping to heal small cuts or blemishes faster.
6. pH Balancing
Oatmeal acts as a natural buffering agent, helping to bring the skin’s pH back to its ideal slightly acidic level (around 5.5). This is crucial for keeping the “acid mantle” intact and warding off acne-causing bacteria.
Benefits of Lavender for Skin
Lavender is mainly known for it’s ability to relax us and for it’s scent. But did you know that Lavender is a powerhouse for skin?! Lavender is has significant antifungal, antibacterial, and sedative properties, and can be quite effective in treating skin irritations.
Here are some of the top benefits of Lavender:
Why Use Rice Flour in a Face Scrub?
Rice flour gently polishes and brightens and has been used for centuries. Want that glass skin look? Rice flour is the key.
Here are a few benefits of rice flour:
Natural Brightening: Rice flour contains phytic acid, a gentle alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps break down dead skin cells and fade dark spots over time.
Oil Control: Rice starch is world-renowned for its ability to absorb excess oil (sebum) without stripping the skin’s natural moisture, making it perfect for the T-zone.
Pore Refining: Because it is milled so finely, it acts as a “micro-exfoliant.” It gets into the smaller contours of the face to smooth out rough texture and minimize the appearance of pores.
UV Protection & Repair: It is naturally rich in ferulic acid and allantoin, antioxidants that help protect the skin from environmental stressors and soothe sun-damaged skin.
The “Glass Skin” Finish: Used for centuries in Asian beauty traditions, rice powder helps achieve that smooth, light-reflecting “glow” by polishing the skin’s surface to a fine finish.
Gather Your Ingredients and Supplies for your Lavender Tallow Oatmeal Face Scrub Recipe
Before you get started, gather all of your ingredients so they are ready to go.
Here’s what you’ll need to make this homemade lavender tallow oatmeal face scrub recipe:
Just a few ingredients
I really recommend using all organic ingredients if possible. This eliminates pesticide residue and other contaminants that do more damage to your skin. Oats, in particular, have one of the heaviest pesticide uses in the U.S.
This is the rendered beef tallow I like to use for all of my DIY Tallow Recipes. I like to buy this big tub of it because it’s more cost effective than buying small jars of it.
Supplies:
- You’ll need a spice / coffee grinder or food processor. Something to grind up the oats and lavender.
- A mixing bowl
- a small double boiler. I love this one and use it for everything:
Lastly, you’ll need a storage jar such as a small mason jar with an airtight lid.
Step-by-Step Instructions for DIY Lavender Tallow Oatmeal Face Scrub.
Grind the Oats and Lavender

First, you’ll need tog grind up the oats and lavender. I use a coffee grinder for this. You could also use a spice grinder or a food processor. Whatever you happen to have.
Another option is to use colloidal oatmeal which is already ground up.
Mix the Ingredients
In a clean bowl, combine the oatmeal powder, lavender powder, and rice flour. Mix thoroughly.


Melt the Tallow
Next, melt the tallow either in a microwave safe glass measuring cup or in a double boiler on the stovetop.
If using the microwave, heat in 30 second intervals, stirring in between until fully melted.

Add your essential oils to the melted tallow.
Mix well until fully incorporated.

You can skip the essential oils if you like, but you can get a lot of benefits from the essential oil.
I really like adding a combo of frankincense and lavender. You could use use tea tree if you have acne prone skin, geranium is great for aging skin.
Make sure you’re using a high quality essential oil and not a fragrance oil which is quite toxic and will damage your skin.

Note: If you’re not sure which essential oil to use, see this post for the best essential oils for your skin type.
Mix it all together
Add the tallow / essential oil mixture to the powder mixture and mix well.

How to Store Your Scrub
Store your lavender tallow oatmeal face scrub in an a glass container with a good lid that stays airtight. I like to use small mason jars.

Storage TIPS
- Store in a cool, dry place away from heat and moisture.
- Shelf Life: If stored properly, your scrub should last 6 – 12 months.
- Use dry hands or a scoop to prevent introducing water into the container. Once water has been introduced, the mixture will be more prone to developing mold.
How to Use Your Lavender Tallow Oatmeal Face Scrub
To use your lavender tallow oatmeal face scrub, apply a small amount to damp skin and gently massage in circular motion. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.
I recommend using the scrub 2 times per week for maximum benefits.
As I mentioned up above, be sure to use dry hands or a small scoop to prevent getting water in the container. Contaminants in water can make this mold quickly.
Benefits of Regular Use
Regular use of this scrub will give your skin a healthy glow! This scrub help improve your skin’s texture through hydration, reduced redness, less acne, improved appearance of fine lines, and regular removal of old skin cells through exfoliation.

Lavender Tallow Oatmeal Face Scrub Recipe
Ingredients
- 5 tablespoons oatmeal
- 4 tablespoons rendered beef tallow
- 5 tablespoons dried lavender
- 5 tablespoons rice flour
- 10 drops essential oil ex: Frankincense, Lavender
Instructions
- Using a clean coffee grinder or high-speed blender, grind the oatmeal and lavender into a fine powder. Set aside.
- In a clean bowl, combine the oatmeal powder, lavender powder, and rice flour. Mix thoroughly.
- Melt the tallow.
- Add the essential oil to the melted tallow and mix well until fully incorporated. Then add to the powders.
- Transfer to a clean, airtight container.
- To use: Using dry hands, scoop a small amount and apply to damp skin and gently massage in circular motions. Rinse with warm water and pat dry. Use 2 times per week.
Notes
- Shelf Life: 6-12 months when stored properly.
- Storage: Store in a cool, dry place away from heat and moisture.
- Use dry hands or a scoop to prevent introducing water into the container.
- Makes about 8-10 ounces.
Doing a weekly or bi-weekly face scrub with this Lavender tallow oatmeal face scrub recipe is more than just a cleaning step—it’s a way to hit the “reset” button on your skin’s health. By choosing these simple, whole ingredients, you’re ditching the harsh chemicals and synthetic fillers for a remedy that your skin actually recognizes and welcomes.
This scrub doesn’t just strip away the old; it feeds your skin the vitamins and healthy fats it needs to stay soft, calm, and glowing.
Give this recipe a try, and you’ll likely find that when you work with your skin’s natural chemistry instead of against it, the results speak for themselves.
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Dawn Goehring
Hi! I’m Dawn, the founder of Desert Naturals. My family , including my 2 teen boys, husband and myself, live in the southern California desert, I’m passionate about natural living and a life free of synthetics, dye’s, artificial fragrances, and other harmful ingredients. I love to use essential oils and natural ingredients for pretty much everything from natural remedies for my family, to non toxic cleaning for my home, to making my own DIY Beauty products, self care products, and more.







