Last Christmas, I got struck with some creative energy and figured I should harness it - I learned that you can make moisturizing balms with lard!
Though it should make total sense because it’s a fat just like coconut oil or shea butter or cocoa butter, I just never thought about lard being used for anything but cooking.
If you are interested in learning how to use it in the kitchen, check out our past blog here.
Lard is actually super similar to the chemical makeup of our own oils, making it a a great option for skin care.
Lard from pasture raised pigs is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E, A & D. This means it's very gentle on our skin, easily absorbed, and nourishing. Then we use beeswax to help lock in moisture.
So of course I had to make a bunch of moisturizing balm to share with family & friends.
I even had some extra to share with y’all at the holiday market and it was a huge hit!
We have several options available in our online store here, including two moisturizing balms (blue tansy & citrus bliss) and an all purpose healing balm as well.
But I’d love to share the general recipe with you, especially for those of you who love DIY and want to make your own!
Handmade Lard Balm
makes around 3 half pint jars
Ingredients:
2 cups pasture raised leaf lard
1/2 cup yellow beeswax pellets
essential oils if desired (I added some blend ideas below)
Steps:
Add lard, coconut oil and beeswax into a large 4 cup glass measuring cup
Place glass measuring cup with a balm ingredients in a large sauce pan and add water in the pan (not into the glass measuring cup with the balm ingredients!) until it hits around the 3 cup mark on the outside of the measuring cup, essentially making a double boiler
Turn heat to medium until water boils, reduce heat to a simmer and stir balm ingredients occasionally until melted.
Turn off heat and remove measuring cup.
Add essential oils and stir well.
Pour into your jars and cool.
Wipe all utensils and pans immediately with a paper towel to remove as much as possible before washing in super hot water with dish soap
Essential Oil Blend Ideas
30-50 total drops per batch
Citrus - orange, lemon & grapefruit
Floral - blue tansy, rose, jasmine OR geranium (these are all strong scents so I would just choose one)
Manly scent - patchouli, cedarwood, lemon & clove
Healing - lavender & tea tree
Skin blemishes - lavender, frankincense & lemon
Sore muscle relief - peppermint, wintergreen, clove and copaiba
Soothing massage - chamomile, lavender, basil, frankincense