Why Choose Beef Tallow for Sunscreen?
Beef Tallow is one of the best products you can use on your skin. Beef Tallow closely resembles the natural sebum that is already produced by our skin making it an excellent moisturizer to help maintain proper skin hydration. It also contains what is known as “palmitoleic acid” which gives beef tallow anti-inflammatory properties. Tallow is rich in vitamins A,D,E, and K all of which can help improve skin health, promote skin cell regeneration, and maintain skin elasticity. It does not clog the pores making it a great product for all skin types and it is rich in antioxidants which protect the skin from free radicals and environmental stressors. To learn more about the benefits of beef tallow, click here.
Since Tallow is so beneficial to our skin, it’s a no brainer that we would add it to our sunscreen. In addition to the all of the above benefits, Tallow can also help protect our skin from UV rays. This is mostly due to it’s high content of saturated fats (palmitic and stearic acids). These fats work together to form a protective barrier on our skin helping to deflect UV radiation and prevent damage to our skin cells.
Additionally, Beef Tallow contains a small amount of Vitamin D which helps to regulate the production of melanin, the pigment that gives color to the skin and protects it from sun damage.
Product Information
This Beef Tallow Sunscreen Recipe yields about 1/2 Cup of sunscreen (4oz). If you wish to make a larger batch of sunscreen simply adjust the quantities of each ingredient proportionally. Just keep in mind that homemade sunscreen typically has a shorter shelf life than store bought sunscreen, so it is best made in smaller batches to ensure freshness. Store in a cool dry place and use within 6 months for the best results.
The SPF rating for this beef tallow mineral sunscreen recipe can vary depending on the amount of non-nano zinc oxide used. As a general rule of thumb, 2 Tbsp of non-nano zinc oxide can provide an estimated SPF of 15-20.
Please be aware that homemade sunscreen is not subject to the same testing and regulations as commercial sunscreens. Therefore, the SPF rating will likely not be as accurate as store-bought products that have been put through rigorous laboratory testing. Always be sure to reapply every 2 hours or after swimming, sweating, or towel drying just as you would with commercial sunscreen.
If you do choose to increase the amount of non-nano zinc oxide for your sunscreen please note that the more you add, the whiter the sunscreen will appear on your skin. To combat this, you can add an extra tsp of coacoa powder until reaching the desired color.
Ingredients and Materials
Ingredients:
- 1/4 Cup Grass-Fed Beef Tallow
- 1/4 Cup Organic Raw Shea Butter
- 2 Tbsp Non-Nano Zinc Oxide
- 1 Tbsp Organic Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 Tbsp Local Beeswax
- 1 Tsp Organic Coacoa Powder
- 1/2 Tsp Organic Rosemary Antioxidant (or a few drops of rosemary essential oil)
- Optional: You may choose to add essential oils to your sunscreen to give it a nice fragrance. I prefer using Young Living’s Summer blend set as there are three different essential oils included and they all smell “summery” to me but all of the following essential oils could be blended in various combinations to create a custom “beachy” scent that suits your preferences. (Ylang-Ylang Essential Oil, Neroli Essential Oil, Jasmine Essential Oil, Vanilla Essential Oil, Citrus Fresh Essential Oil)
Materials:
- Double Boiler or Heat Resistant Glass Bowl: This will be used to melt the beef tallow, shea butter, and beeswax. If you choose to use a glass bowl, you will simply place the bowl over a pot of simmering water.
- Stirring Utensil: A spoon or a spatula will be preferred for this recipe.
- Clean, Dry Container with Lid: Choose a container that is made of glass or another material that is safe for use with essential oils. If you can, choose amber colored glass. Amber colored glass helps reduce the amount of light that is able to pass through to your product thus lengthening the products life span.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: In order to accurately measure the ingredients, you will need measuring cups and spoons.
- Optional: Pipettes or Droppers: If your essential oils do not come with a stopper in the top you might find it helpful to have a pipette in order to measure and handle the oils.
Prepare the Beef Tallow
Tips for Purchasing High-Quality, Pre-Rendered Beef Tallow
When purchasing pre-rendered beef tallow, it’s important to choose a high-quality product to ensure the best results for your sunscreen. Finding a high quality beef tallow will also ensure that your tallow will not have a beefy smell.
- Source: Look for beef tallow that is sourced from grass-fed, pasture raised cows. These animals are generally not given antibiotics or hormones which results in a higher quality fat.
- Processing Method: Choose beef tallow that has been rendered using traditional, low-heat methods to preserve its natural properties and nutrients.
- Packaging: Opt for tallow that is stored in airtight, opaque containers such as glass jars or sealed plastic containers. This helps protect the tallow from light and air which could cause it to spoil.
- Color and Texture: High-quality beef tallow should be a creamy white color with a smooth texture. Avoid tallow that is yellow or has a grainy consistency, as these could indicate improper rendering or spoilage.
- Smell: Fresh beef tallow should have a mild, neutral scent. If the tallow has a strong unpleasant odor, it may have gone rancid and should not be purchased or used.
- Brand Reputation: Anytime you are purchasing a product such as this it is important to do research on the brand and read customer reviews to learn about their quality and customer satisfaction.
A great place to start when looking for beef tallow is your local meat market or health food stores. Call around and ask if anyone sells pre-rendered beef tallow. If you are unable to find any locally, South Chicago sells a Wagyu beef tallow that is made with fat from pasture raised cows and they have great ratings and reviews which you can check out here.
How to Render your Own Beef Tallow
Rendering beef tallow is simply the process of melting beef fat and straining out the impurities so you are left with a clean, nutrient-rich product.
Materials:
- Beef Fat (Preferably from grass-fed, pasture raised cows)
- Filtered Water
- Large Pot or Slow Cooker
- Fine Mesh Strainer or Cheesecloth
- Storage Container
Instructions:
- I find that having pre-ground beef fat helps with this process so if you are purchasing your beef fat from your local butcher, ask if they will grind it for you. Most times, they will. However, if you are purchasing from a local farmer or somewhere that does not have a grinder you can simply cut the fat into small evenly sized pieces or run through a meat grinder at home if you have one.
- Next, place your beef fat pieces into a large pot or slow cooker and add in enough filtered water to cover them. This helps prevent the fat from burning and makes it easier to separate the rendered tallow from any remaining impurities.
- Bring the water to a gentle simmer over low to medium heat. Simmer the beef fat for around 4-6 hours, stirring occasionally, until most of the fat has liquified and the remaining solid pieces are small and crispy.
- Strain: Carefully strain the liquid through a strainer or allow the product to cool and it will turn into a block which you can then remove and scape away any impurities from the bottom.
- I like to render my tallow several times until the product is completely white and no longer has impurities.
- Once done, add to a store container and place in the refrigerator or freezer for maximum shelf life,
If you’d like to read more on rendering beef tallow, click here.
Instructions for Making Beef Tallow Sunscreen
- In your double boiler or glass bowl placed over a pot of simmering water, combine the beef tallow, shea butter, and beeswax. Melt the ingredients, stirring occasionally, until they are fully combined and melted.
- Remove the mixture from the heat and allow to cool for a few minutes. Add the non-nano zinc oxide and cocoa powder and mix until evenly combined.
- Add in the extra-virgin olive oil, rosemary antioxidant or (essential oil) and any essential oils you desire to add for fragrance and stir well.
- Pour the mixture into your containers and allow the sunscreen to cool and solidify before placing the lid on the containers.
- If you have a stand mixer or electric beater, before adding your product to your containers you could choose to whip the product until it becomes fluffy. This will yield a softer airier product that your skin will absorb easier but is not necessary.
Subscribe to our newsletter and receive a copy of our FREE foraging Ebook.
