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Homemade lotion bars have quickly become one of my favorite natural skin care products to make. This is because it’s really easy to make lotion bars, and the end result is an all-over moisturizer that is incredibly nourishing for the skin.
If you’re new to homemade lotion bars or haven’t personally tried them on your skin yet, you’re in for a treat. Lotions bars are similar to chapstick in that they are solid at room temperature, but soften up and become smooth once applied to skin.
To use, you’ll simply take the homemade lotion bar in your hand, and rub back and forth on your skin until enough moisturizer is applied. Afterwards, you can massage the moisturizer into your skin as needed.
Lotion bars are shelf-stable, so you can store them around the house in small tin containers. I typically keep one at my desk, in my nightstand, and I take one with me in my purse.
And the best part? Lotion bars are great for both dry skin during winter months, and sun-kissed skin during the summer. I find it most useful for problem areas like the elbows, feet, and hands.
Lavender Orange Lotion Bars
Ingredients
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup jojoba oil
1/2 cup shea butter or cocoa butter
1/2 cup beeswax pellets
20-30 drops sweet orange oil
20-30 drops lavender oil
Directions
Put 1-2 inches of water in a small pot, and place over medium-high heat. Put a glass bowl on top of the pan so that the water is just underneath the bowl, but not touching it. Put all the ingredients for the lotion bars except the essential oils in the glass bowl, and let the ingredients fully melt to combine. You’ll need to stir the mixture occasionally.
Once ingredients have melted, turn off the heat and remove the glass bowl from the pot. Let ingredients cool for about 5 minutes. Once ingredients have cooled, add essential oils, and pour mixture into silicone molds. I use these super cute “100% Handmade” silicone molds.
Let molds sit undisturbed for about 30-45 minutes for lotion bars to set. If you’re short on time, you can throw the lotion bars into fridge to speed up the process.
Remove lotion bars from molds by carefully pealing back the mold. The lotion bar will be hard, but will have a silky texture. This is why I prefer using individual silicone molds that are easy to remove.
Homemade lotion bars are shelf-stable, so you can store them in small tin containers around the house. I typically keep one at my desk, in my nightstand, and I take one with me in my purse.
Tips and Tricks
The basic recipe for homemade lotion bars is 33% oil of choice, 33% butter of choice, 33% beeswax, and 1% essential oil. This means, you can actually experiment with different oils or butters—especially if you know something works well for your skin. I personally love to include coconut oil because of its antimicrobial properties, and jojoba oil for its emollient effects. Sometimes, when I don’t have jojoba oil on hand, I simply use coconut oil for the oil in the recipe, or use olive oil or avocado oil instead.
Keep in mind, when you do try other oils or butters, it will affect the consistency of the bar, and the feeling it has as a moisturizer. I personally like a softer “silkiness,” which is why I use the homemade lotion bar recipe listed above.
Got any questions about making lotion bars, or this homemade lotion bar recipe? Ask in the comments below!
Live empowered,
Hi Noelle
Can you recommend an alternative to coconut oil?
I am unfortunately highly allergic, but I really would like to try making these lotion bars.
Thank you
Susanne – Denmark
Unfortunately I don’t in this recipe. I would do some searching in Google for coconut oil free lotion bars and see what comes up.
Several people have asked about a substitute for coconut oil, being either allergic (or like myself, finding it a little dehydrating). Has anyone experimented with pomegranate oil in lotion bars? It doesn’t solidify like coconut oil, but might be used as a sub.
Also, maybe it has already been mentioned, but to a certain point, I think you can add more beeswax to compensate for the lack of a solidifying oil. To just what point is not something I know.
Hi,
Would they work work when used as in shower lotion bars?
No.
You have the patience of a saint
LOL! Thank you. I will let my husband know someone thinks so!
These sound AMAZING!! So I ordered all my organic ingredients that will arrive today! I can’t wait ?
I picked this recipe first, because they sound like they’ll smell so nice, but secondly, be cause my daughters name is Noelle, and she likes doing crafty things with me, so she’ll be my partner in crime when we cook these up tonight ?
Awesome! I hope it turns out well!
Read all q to avoid dupes. Can you melt the ingredients in a glass measuring cup in the microwave?
I don’t recommend it.
I’ve melted in a glass measuring cup in the microwave and haven’t had any issues. I just melt for about 60 seconds and then take it out to stir and put it back in until fully melted. I add the essential oils after the oils have mixed together.