Easy Tallow Soap DIY Recipe to Moisturize Dry Skin

Making your own tallow soap with a melt and pour base and essential oils is a simple way to create a nourishing, skin-loving soap right at home.

Tallow is a time-tested ingredient that is known for its ability to moisturize and protect the skin because its natural composition is incredibly similar to our skin’s own fatty acids. This means it absorbs easily, delivering hydration without blocking pores, making it ideal for all skin types, even sensitive ones.

Combined with the convenience of a melt-and-pour base and the addition of essential oils, you get a soothing soap that’s rich in nutrients and antioxidants to help keep your skin soft, balanced, and rejuvenated.

I use affiliate links in this article. If you click a link and make a purchase, I may earn a commission.

Why you’ll love the benefits of tallow soap

Tallow soap is a powerhouse for healthy, nourished skin, especially if you’re aiming for something gentle yet effective.

Made from animal fats, tallow is packed with fatty acids that mimic our skin’s natural oils, meaning it locks in moisture and strengthens the skin’s natural barrier without clogging pores. This makes it ideal for anyone with dry or sensitive skin, offering a rich, long-lasting hydration that many other soaps can’t provide.

Plus, tallow soap is loaded with vitamins A, D, E, and K, which are essential for promoting cell renewal and giving skin a smooth, youthful glow.

If you’re looking for a skincare option that’s natural, nutrient-dense, and free from synthetic ingredients, tallow soap is a standout choice that keeps your skin looking and feeling its best.

Ingredients and Supplies you’ll need to make tallow soap

Supplies:

You’ll need a silicone soap mold – any shape works. I used this one to make a rectangle shape. It was one I already had on hand from making other soaps like this lavender rosemary soap.

Ingredients:

You’ll need the following ingredients:

Melt and Pour Soap Base – I used this Goat’s Milk soap base. You could use any kind of soap base you like – glycerin, shea butter, etc.

Rendered Beef Tallow – I recommend finding the most natural one you can. Make sure you’re not using a premade balm that has other ingredients in it. Grass fed would be best. This is the Beef Tallow I used

Essential Oil – use any scent you like or combine more than one scent together. I used Frankincense. Other great options include:

• Lavender
• Orange
• Lemon
• Tea Tree
• Frankincense
• Peppermint

Optional Mica Powder – You can add a bit of mica powder if you would live to give your soap some color.

Step by Step Directions for how to make tallow soap

The first step is to cut up your soap base into small squares. This makes it melt more evenly.

Then add it to a microwave safe glass jar – a mason jar works well. Microwave it in 30 second increments, stirring in between until it is completely melted.

Or, put it in a shallow pot of simmering water on the stovetop to melt it.

Once the soap base is melted, add in your tallow and stir until the tallow is completely melted.

Let the mixture cool slightly, not enough to harden. You still want it liquid. Then add your essential oils and stir well.

The last step is to pour the mixture into your mold.

Pro tip: I recommend placing your mold onto a cookie sheet, cutting board or other hard surface before pouring your mixture in. This way, you can easily move it if needed. Once the mixture is poured into the mold, you can’t really move it without making a big mess. Ask me how I know.

Let it sit undisturbed until the soap has hardened. At least a few hours, ideally overnight.

Once your soap has hardened, pop them out of the mold and they are ready to be used!

You can wrap each individual soap in some unbleached parchment paper (I like this brand as it has no bad chemicals in it). This makes it easy to store. Or, tie it with some twine for gifts!

---

Before You Go, See What’s New