CITRONELLA TALLOW: The Story Behind Our “Outdoor Comfort” Collection
There are few things better than spending time outdoors—working in the garden, relaxing on the porch, gathering around a campfire or enjoying a warm evening with family and friends.
Unfortunately, mosquitoes, flies and other unwanted outdoor visitors can quickly make those moments less enjoyable.
That is why we created our Citronella “Outdoor Comfort” collection: a fresh, botanical line of handcrafted tallow products made for days spent outside.
The collection combines citronella, lemongrass and patchouli essential oils with rich, skin-nourishing ingredients. The finished aroma is bright, citrusy, herbal and earthy—not sweet or perfume-like.
Customers reach for Citronella “Outdoor Comfort” before gardening, camping, hiking, attending outdoor events or relaxing in the backyard. They appreciate that it feels like nourishing skincare instead of a sticky, strongly scented outdoor spray.
Why We Call It “Outdoor Comfort”
Citronella has been used in outdoor products for generations because of its distinctive botanical aroma. Citronella oil is also included on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s list of ingredients eligible for use in qualifying minimum-risk pesticide products.
In Citronella “Outdoor Comfort,” citronella is blended with lemongrass and patchouli to create a layered aroma customers enjoy while spending time outdoors.
Many customers tell us they like applying a product that moisturizes their skin while providing the fresh botanical scent they associate with outdoor comfort. Some keep the whipped lotion near the door for regular use, while others carry the intensive balm stick in a purse, backpack, camper or travel bag.
The aroma is another reason customers return to the collection. Citronella and lemongrass provide a bright, lemony freshness, while patchouli adds an earthy note that keeps the blend from smelling overly sharp.
Individual experiences can vary, and Citronella “Outdoor Comfort” should not be considered guaranteed protection against insect bites or insect-borne illness. When dependable protection is necessary, follow public-health recommendations and use an EPA-registered insect repellent as directed.
The Essential-Oil Blend
The signature aroma of Citronella “Outdoor Comfort” comes from three essential oils:
Citronella essential oil
Lemongrass essential oil
Patchouli essential oil
Each ingredient contributes something different to the finished product.
Citronella Essential Oil
Citronella gives Citronella “Outdoor Comfort” its recognizable bright, lemony and slightly grassy aroma.
The essential oil is distilled from aromatic grasses in the Cymbopogon family. It naturally contains aromatic compounds such as citronellal, citronellol and geraniol, although its exact composition varies according to the plant species, growing conditions and distillation process.
Citronella has a long history of use in outdoor sprays, lotions, candles and other products associated with patios, campsites and outdoor gatherings.
Research has found that citronella preparations can discourage mosquitoes for a limited period. However, the results and length of protection vary according to the formula, concentration, insect species and environmental conditions. Because essential oils gradually evaporate, botanical formulas may also require more frequent application than longer-lasting conventional repellents.
Lemongrass Essential Oil
Lemongrass adds a crisp, clean citrus note that complements citronella naturally.
Although citronella and lemongrass belong to the same botanical genus, they have different aromatic profiles. Lemongrass generally smells brighter and more lemon-forward, while citronella has a greener, more distinctly herbal character.
Lemongrass essential oil contains naturally occurring aromatic compounds, including citral. It has been examined in research involving mosquitoes, flies and other insects, although results depend upon the concentration, formulation and method of application.
Within Citronella “Outdoor Comfort,” lemongrass brightens the entire blend and contributes to its uplifting warm-weather character.
Patchouli Essential Oil
Patchouli provides the deeper, earthy foundation of the blend.
Without patchouli, citronella and lemongrass could smell extremely bright and sharp. Patchouli rounds out those citrus-herbal notes and gives the finished aroma greater depth and balance.
Patchouli essential oil is distilled from the leaves of Pogostemon cablin. Its characteristic aroma comes from naturally occurring compounds that include patchouli alcohol.
Patchouli has also been studied for its relationship to insect-repelling activity. In Citronella “Outdoor Comfort,” however, its role is equally important to the aroma. It provides a grounding background without overpowering the brighter citronella and lemongrass.
Together, the three oils create a scent that is fresh, bright, citrusy, herbal and earthy—made for days spent outdoors.
Why We Pair the Blend With Tallow
Citronella “Outdoor Comfort” Whipped Tallow Lotion is made with:
Grass-fed tallow
Shea butter
Coconut oil
Citronella essential oil
Lemongrass essential oil
Patchouli essential oil
This simple base transforms the outdoor blend into a rich moisturizer that feels nourishing rather than sticky or drying.
Grass-Fed Tallow
Grass-fed tallow provides the foundation of the whipped lotion.
Tallow contains a blend of fatty acids that helps soften the skin and reduce moisture loss. Its naturally rich texture makes it particularly comforting for skin exposed to outdoor conditions such as sun, heat and wind.
Because Citronella “Outdoor Comfort” is an anhydrous product—meaning it is made without added water—it does not require the same formulation system as an ordinary water-based lotion.
Shea Butter
Shea butter adds creaminess and deeper conditioning.
Naturally rich in fatty acids, shea butter helps dry or weather-exposed skin feel softer and more comfortable. It also balances the firmness of the tallow and contributes to the lotion’s smooth, rich texture.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil helps soften the formula so it melts smoothly when it touches warm skin.
It contributes additional moisturizing fatty acids, makes the whipped lotion easier to spread and helps disperse the citronella, lemongrass and patchouli essential oils evenly throughout the product.
Citronella “Outdoor Comfort” Whipped Tallow Lotion
The whipped lotion is available in 1 oz and 4 oz containers.
The 1 oz container is convenient for trying the formula, carrying in a bag or keeping with outdoor supplies.
The 4 oz container is the better choice for frequent use, families or anyone who regularly moisturizes larger areas of the body.
Its whipped texture melts upon contact and spreads easily, making it a good choice when you want the full botanical aroma along with rich tallow moisture.
Because this is a naturally whipped product without added waxes, it can soften or melt when exposed to high temperatures. This may change its whipped appearance but does not change the product’s quality.
Citronella “Outdoor Comfort” 2 oz Intensive Balm Stick
The 2 oz Citronella “Outdoor Comfort” Intensive Balm Stick provides the signature essential-oil blend in a firmer, more concentrated formula.
The balm contains:
Grass-fed tallow
Mango butter
Shea butter
Beeswax
Castor oil
Coconut oil
Arrowroot powder
Citronella essential oil
Lemongrass essential oil
Patchouli essential oil
Its twist-up design allows the balm to glide directly onto the skin without dipping into a jar or covering your hands in lotion.
It is mess-free, TSA-friendly and more heat-stable than the whipped lotion, making it particularly convenient for travel and outdoor activities.
Mango Butter
Mango butter is a rich botanical butter pressed from mango kernels.
It helps create the balm’s smooth glide while conditioning dry skin. It works with the tallow and shea butter to give the stick its concentrated moisturizing character without making it excessively heavy.
Beeswax
Beeswax gives the balm its solid, heat-stable structure.
It creates a light protective layer that helps reduce moisture loss and allows the product to remain in its convenient twist-up form.
Castor Oil
Castor oil is a thick, plant-based oil that improves the balm’s glide.
It adds richness and helps combine the butters, oils, wax and arrowroot powder into a smooth, even formula.
Arrowroot Powder
Arrowroot powder helps balance the heavier oils and butters.
It contributes a smoother, less oily finish and improves how the balm feels after it is applied.
Citronella Tallow Soap
Citronella Tallow Soap provides a wash-off way to enjoy the collection’s bright, outdoor-inspired aroma.
The soap is made with 5T Farm’s tallow-and-apricot-kernel-oil base. Tallow helps produce a firm, long-lasting bar with a rich, creamy lather, while apricot kernel oil adds a lighter conditioning quality.
Warm water and shower steam help release the fresh citronella aroma. Some customers find the bright scent especially uplifting in the morning and enjoy beginning the day with it.
Keep the bar dry between uses to help it last longer.
The Citronella “Outdoor Comfort” Bundle
The Citronella “Outdoor Comfort” Bundle brings all three products together:
Citronella “Outdoor Comfort” Whipped Tallow Lotion in your choice of 1 oz or 4 oz
Citronella “Outdoor Comfort” 2 oz Intensive Balm Stick
Citronella Tallow Soap
The soap adds the botanical aroma to a bath or shower, the whipped lotion provides rich moisture that spreads easily, and the intensive balm offers portable, mess-free application.
Customers who want two complementary warm-weather lotions can also choose the Outdoor Lotion Bundle, which pairs Orange Vanilla “Sun Veil” with Citronella “Outdoor Comfort.”
Orange Vanilla “Sun Veil” provides rich moisture with a warm citrus-vanilla aroma, while Citronella “Outdoor Comfort” offers a brighter citronella, lemongrass and patchouli profile. Neither product should replace an appropriately rated sunscreen or EPA-registered insect repellent when those forms of protection are needed.
Important Use and Safety Information
Citronella “Outdoor Comfort” is intended for external use only.
Avoid eyes, lips, and broken or severely irritated skin. Children should be supervised during application, and anyone with especially sensitive skin may wish to perform a small patch test first. Discontinue use if irritation develops.
Store the products in a cool, dry place whenever possible.
Citronella “Outdoor Comfort” is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure a medical condition. Experiences with insects can vary based on the environment, weather, insect species, perspiration and other factors.
When visiting an area where mosquitoes, ticks or other insects may transmit disease, follow recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and use an EPA-registered insect repellent according to its label.
Made for More Comfortable Days Outdoors
Citronella “Outdoor Comfort” was created for people who love being outside but do not necessarily love everything that comes with it.
Its blend of citronella, lemongrass and patchouli creates a fresh botanical aroma, while grass-fed tallow and other nourishing ingredients provide the rich moisture customers expect from 5T Farm.
Whether you are working in the garden, camping, sitting on the porch or spending a warm evening with family, Citronella “Outdoor Comfort” is a convenient collection to keep nearby.
It is outdoor skincare made simple: nourishing ingredients, a refreshing botanical aroma and three useful ways to enjoy it.
Fresh. Botanical. Made for the Outdoors.
5T Farm—Simply Made
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