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Do you ever wish you could swap out your synthetic shaving cream for something more natural but you find yourself struggling to know what recipe to use? Look no further.
This DIY tallow shave cream is so simple to put together and creates a silky smooth shave. Bonus points for not having to moisturize after your shower! (I am the worst for forgetting to lotion up my legs!)
If you’ve been looking for a natural, nourishing way to shave without the synthetic junk, this DIY tallow shave cream bar is going to be your new favourite. It’s rich, soothing, and leaves skin soft and moisturized without irritation.
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I am also not a medical or plumbing professional. Always consult an expert when making any recipe you find online and do a patch test before using any skin care product. To learn more, click here.
This post is all about a DIY tallow shaving cream
Table of Contents
Not super confident with tallow yet? You’re not alone.
I created a free guide called “5 Tallow Mistakes and How to Fix Them” to help you avoid the most common issues I see in homemade balms, butters, and creams. Download it below!
The tools you need
This recipe is fairly straightforward in terms of materials. The big ones are:
A double boiler- I use a pan full of water and a mason jar
A heat proof container- such as a mason jar
A silicone mold- to pour the balm into
Measuring spoons (or a kitchen scale)
Spatulas- to stir and get all of the product out of your jar
The tallow shave cream recipe
Ingredients:
2 tbsp tallow (learn to render your own HERE)
1 tbsp coconut oil (adds lather + antimicrobial)
1 tbsp shea butter or cocoa butter (for added moisture) You can sub this for more tallow if you want!
1 tbsp castor oil (boosts lather!)
1 tbsp bentonite clay (optional, adds slip + detoxifies)
10 drops essential oils (e.g., eucalyptus, tea tree, or lavender)
Optional: 1 tsp infused oil (chamomile, calendula, rosemary)
The directions
Melt tallow, coconut oil, and butter over a double boiler until fully liquid.
Remove from heat and stir in castor oil, essential oils, and optional clay.
Pour into silicone molds or small tins while still liquid.
*After trying it both ways, I would recommend storing your bar in a small tin or mason jar, or pouring the liquid directly into a mason jar as it is quite soft at room temperature.
Let it set completely at room temp or in the fridge.
Once solid, pop out of the mold. To use, wet your hands or a shave brush and lather it like a soap bar. If I am using it on my legs or my pits, I scoop a small amount onto my fingers and use it similar to a balm.
*Ensure you do not let it sit in water as the water will cause it to go rancid quite quickly.
How to avoid clogged drains
Whenever you use any oil based products such as sugar scrubs or this tallow shave cream, it is important you follow safe use procedures to ensure your drains do not get clogged. Again, I am not a professional but this has worked well for me.
Use a small amount per shave – you’re not pouring oil down the drain, just rinsing off residual lather.
Hot water rinse after use – run hot water for 15–30 seconds after rinsing to help keep oils moving and prevent them from solidifying in the drain.
Add castile soap or a natural surfactant to your recipe (optional) to help emulsify oils and make them more rinseable.
Install a drain screen – it won’t catch oils, but it helps reduce buildup from hair and solids, which is where oil tends to cling.
Occasional drain maintenance – a flush with baking soda + vinegar + hot water helps keep drains clean in general.
Love this recipe?
My upcoming Tallow Skincare eBook is packed with even more nourishing, from-scratch skincare recipes. It includes:
👉 tallow balm variations
👉 sea salt soap
👉 tallow soap bar
👉deodorant recipes
👉 tallow for scalp and so much more!
Learn how to use tallow head to toe with this unique recipe book.
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