Why Add Olive Oil To Tallow Balm?

If you’re a fellow DIYer looking for recipes to create a Tallow Balm, or browsing our velvety tallow balms, you may be wondering what the purpose of olive oil, or any other oil is in your recipe.

Tallow balms are our staple moisturizers at Reliefscape, and when we started experimenting to create the perfect recipes, we varied every ingredient ratio imaginable. The result? The textures I loved more and more also added a new layer of benefits I wasn’t expecting with olive oil.

So, why add olive oil to tallow balm? Is it just texture? Something else entirely? Let’s talk about it.

What Even Is Tallow Balm?

In case you’re new here, tallow balm is a simple, ancestral skincare remedy made from rendered beef fat (usually from grass-fed cows). It’s rich in fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K—all nutrients your skin loves. What makes tallow special is that its fatty acid profile closely resembles our skin’s own sebum, making it super compatible and deeply nourishing.

But while tallow is deeply restorative, it’s also thick. That’s where olive oil comes in.

Why Olive Oil Deserves a Spot in Your Tallow Balm

Olive oil skin care benefits.

Olive oil has been used in skincare for centuries. Cleopatra swore by it, and Mediterranean cultures have relied on it for generations—not just in the kitchen, but for radiant skin too.

So what makes it worth mixing into your tallow balm?

1. It Improves Spreadability

Let’s be real: straight tallow can feel a little stiff, especially in cooler temps, or too liquid in hotter ones. Olive oil softens the balm, giving it a silky, easy-to-apply texture that melts into your skin more effortlessly. It’s the difference between tugging and gliding.

2. It Adds Deep Moisture

Tallow is amazing for sealing in moisture. Olive oil brings the moisture. It's rich in squalene and oleic acid, both of which are excellent for hydrating dry skin and helping restore the skin’s lipid barrier. When you combine the two? You get long-lasting softness without that greasy, heavy feel.

3. It Delivers Antioxidants

Here’s where olive oil goes beyond just texture. Olive oil is naturally high in antioxidants, especially Vitamin E and polyphenols, which help fight oxidative stress that leads to premature aging and dull skin. According to a 2023 review, topical olive oil can support skin regeneration, reduce inflammation, and even protect against UV damage.

In addition, another study published in 2018 confirmed olive oil’s role in helping restore the skin’s barrier function and reducing inflammation when used topically. This is key not just for hydration, but also for protecting sensitive or compromised skin. The research emphasized that olive oil, especially when combined with other lipid-rich ingredients, can contribute to repairing the skin and soothing conditions like dermatitis and dryness.

4. It Makes the Balm More Versatile

By blending tallow with olive oil, the balm becomes better suited for different skin types—especially those on the oilier or more sensitive side. It also helps if you want something lighter for daytime use, while keeping the nutrient-dense goodness of tallow in the mix.

So if you’re wondering if this pairing is just hype—it’s not. It’s synergy.

But Wait—Does Olive Oil Really Tighten Skin?

You’ve probably seen claims that olive oil “tightens” or “firms” the skin. And while it’s not a miracle facelift-in-a-bottle, there’s a bit of science to back this up.

According to the same study, olive oil contains compounds like oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol that may help stimulate collagen production and reduce signs of aging. Collagen is key to keeping skin plump and firm, so anything that supports its production can make skin look tighter over time.

That said, olive oil doesn’t physically tighten skin on contact. It’s not like one application erases wrinkles. But used consistently, it may support smoother, more elastic skin by reducing inflammation, fighting oxidative stress, and keeping the skin barrier healthy.

Olive oil doesn’t work like Botox, (and thank goodness for that), but it does support graceful skin aging.

Is It Right for Everyone?

Will olive oil clog pores?

For most skin types, the tallow + olive oil combo is a win—especially if you're looking for a balm that feels luxurious and has both healing and preventative benefits.

But here are a few things to keep in mind:

• If you’re acne-prone, try a small patch test first. Olive oil is generally non-comedogenic for most people, but everyone’s skin reacts differently.
• Choose extra virgin olive oil (ideally cold-pressed and organic). Quality matters, especially when applying to your face. Our Early-Harvest Extra-Virgin Olive Oil we use here at Reliefscape is especially high in polyphenols, potent antioxidants that help maintain cell membrane integrity, support skin elasticity, promote cell regeneration, and protect against oxidative stress for healthier, resilient skin.
• Less is more. A common mistake is using the same amount as a normal synthetic moisturizer. A small amount goes a long way, thanks to the richness of both ingredients.
  

Final Thoughts

Adding olive oil to tallow balm isn’t just a trend—it’s a proven duo that upgrades an already amazing product. Tallow gives your skin the building blocks to heal and regenerate. Olive oil brings fluidity, hydration, and antioxidant protection. Together, they create a balm that’s both functional and feel-good.

If you’re making tallow balm, try adding a little olive oil to your next batch—or grab one of our amazing Tallow Balms and see the difference for yourself; it's the combo you don’t know your skin needs.

Once you see the glow and instant hydration, you won’t go back.

References:

• Nasrallah G, Chehab M. (2023). Potential use of olive oil in cosmetic and dermatology applications: A review. Nutrients, 15(9), 1923. PMCID: PMC10181161
• Lin TK, Zhong L, Santiago JL. (2018). Anti-inflammatory and skin barrier repair effects of topical application of some plant oils. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 19(1), 70. PMCID: PMC5796020