Sharing is caring!

Handmade conditioner bars are simple to make and yield an excellent product. If you’re looking for a natural, nourishing conditioner bar recipe that leaves hair soft, silky, and manageable—this handmade tallow conditioner bar is a rich, old-fashioned meets modern formula that truly performs.

This recipe uses a blend of tallow, argan oil, BTMS-50, cetyl alcohol, glycerin, and a gentle preservative to create a solid conditioner bar that melts beautifully into hair, rinses clean, and lasts for many washes.

Below you’ll find the full recipe, percentages, benefits of each ingredient, and step-by-step instructions. This post contains affiliate links

---

How to Melt the Ingredients

I really like to use an old mini crockpot or slow cooker for all of my handmade natural products. It heats evenly and slowly without scorching. I can put ingredients in it to melt and walk away for a while without having to tend it. You can buy a new one here. Otherwise, keep your eyes peeled at secondhand stores and garage sales for mini crockpots or candle warmers; they work nicely as well.

If you don’t have access to a mini crockpot, you can use a double-boiler setup. This can be as simple as a glass bowl nestled inside a pot of simmering water. Just keep your eye on the temperature and make sure the water does not splash inside.

Other Tools You May Need

• This mold isn’t 100% necessary; however, it yields a beautiful end product. This recipe will fill all four compartments.
• A rubber spatula
• A digital scale
• A thermometer

Total Batch Weight

186 grams

Formula Percentages

Ingredient	Weight (g)	Percentage
Tallow	34g	18.28%
Argan Oil	30g	16.13%
Glycerin	10g	5.38%
Cetyl Alcohol	40g	21.51%
BTMS-50	70g	37.63%
Preservative (Optiphen)	1g	0.54%
Fragrance / Essential Oil	1g or about 30 drops	0.54%
Total	186g	100%

---

Ingredient Benefits

Tallow (18.28%)

Tallow is rich in fatty acids and vitamins A, D, E, and K. It closely resembles the natural oils of human skin and scalp, making it deeply nourishing. In conditioner bars, it:

• Adds slip
• Moisturizes without greasiness
• Supports scalp health
• Helps create a firm, long-lasting bar

---

Argan Oil (16.13%)

Often called “liquid gold,” argan oil is ideal for dry, damaged, or frizzy hair. It provides:

• High vitamin E content
• Deep hydration
• Smoothing of split ends
• Added shine and softness

---

Glycerin (5.38%)

A natural humectant that:

• Draws moisture into the hair
• Boosts hydration
• Helps reduce frizz and dryness
• Improves the conditioning feel

---

Cetyl Alcohol (21.51%)

A fatty alcohol (not drying!). Cetyl alcohol:

• Adds slip and glide
• Creates a creamy texture
• Strengthens the structure of the bar
• Softens and conditions the hair

---

BTMS-50 (37.63%)

Conditioning agent. BTMS-50 is a cationic emulsifier that:

• Detangles instantly
• Leaves hair silky and smooth
• Provides that “silky comb-through” feel
• Helps the bar emulsify during use

---

Optiphen Preservative (0.54%)

A paraben-free, broad-spectrum preservative. This is necessary because glycerin attracts moisture, and bars are exposed to wet environments.
Prevents:

• Mold
• Bacteria
• Yeast growth

---

Fragrance or Essential Oils (30 drops)

I liked this blend of fragrance; it leaves a nice, clean scent. I used about 10 drops of each

• Lavender
• Eucalyptus
• Bergamot

---

Handmade Tallow Conditioner Bar Recipe

Ingredients (186g total) Links for purchase included

• 34g Tallow
• 30g Argan Oil
• 10g Glycerin
• 40g Cetyl Alcohol
• 70g BTMS-50
• 1g Optiphen (added cool-down)
• 30 drops Fragrance or essential oil (cool-down)

---

Instructions (Step-By-Step)

1. Melt the Solid Ingredients

In a double boiler, combine:

• Tallow
• Cetyl Alcohol
• BTMS-50

Heat gently until completely melted and uniform. Do not overheat; just melt until smooth. The Cetyl Alcohol and BTMS take a bit of time to melt. Both melt at around 140 degrees F

---

2. Remove From Heat

Once the solids are fully melted, remove the mixture from the heat source.

---

3. Add the Cool-Down Ingredients

Add the Argan and glycerin; this will cool the mixture down a bit, then add the Optiphen and the essential oils.

Stir in:

• Argan Oil
• Glycerin
• Optiphen preservative
• Fragrance or essential oils

Mix well to fully incorporate.

---

4. Pour Into Molds

Carefully pour the mixture into silicone molds.

---

5. Allow to Harden

Let the bars firm up:

• 2–3 hours at room temperature
  or
• 20 minutes in the freezer

Once solid, unmold and allow to dry for 24 hours before use. If, for any reason, the bars don’t feel completely solid, perhaps your house is humid; leave them in the mold for 24 hours before unmolding.

---

How to Use

Rub the handmade conditioner bar between your hands or glide directly onto wet hair after shampooing. Massage through the ends, let sit for 1–2 minutes, and rinse thoroughly.

These tallow and argan oil conditioner bars are deeply nourishing, fully customizable, and extremely long-lasting. Whether you’re transitioning away from bottled conditioners or want a more natural and sustainable option, this recipe gives you quality results with wholesome ingredients.