I’ve never been a huge fan of lotion, but lotion bars are changing my mind. While I like how liquid lotion makes me skin feel after its absorbed, the slimy feeling when I first put it up deters me from using it too often. So I suffer with dry and itchy skin. That, and many store-bought lotions contain chemical ingredients that I’m certain make my skin drier in the long run.
Then I heard about lotion bars and I was so curious whether they would work that I bought myself the ingredients and invited my friend Hannah over to make them with me.
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Homemade Lotion Bars Recipe!
What you will need To make lotion bars:
- 3oz beeswax
- 3oz Coconut Oil
- 3oz Shea Butter
- large clean tin can
- silicone molds
- food scale
- essential oils
This recipe will make 6 palm-size lotion bars. If you want to make them as gifts to give away I’d recommend doubling or even tripling this recipe. If you’re just trying them out though, the 3oz each will work best. The key is to keep all parts equal.
How to Make Homemade Lotion Bars
1. If you have a crappy old pot lying around, go ahead and throw all the ingredients in, turn the heat to medium-high, and stir until melted. (Also use a crappy stirring utensil!) If you only have nice pots that you’d like to actually cook from again, I’d highly recommend finding a large tin can to melt the mixture in instead.
2. Measure out equal amounts of each product. If it doesn’t already come in nice blocks, you will need a food scale. Place all ingredients in medium to large sized pot, fill the pot half way with water, turn heat to medium-high, and melt ingredients in tin can sitting in the hot water.
(If you have left over shea butter you could also make this DIY Face Lotion for Sensitive Skin.)
3. Add essential oils. Honestly, it take a lot of drops to cover up the beeswax smell so I can’t give an exact number but start with 15 and work your way up. Shea butter is better to use if you want to add in more floral or sweet smelling oils like rose or orange. On its own, the cocoa butter will smell like, well, cocoa, so I found adding peppermint complimented it nicely.
4. Place silicone molds on cookie sheet for stability and pour mixture into your molds. A funnel will work best, but my friend and I didn’t have one so we improvised with tin foil.
5. Place molds on freezer for about 30 minutes.
To use:
Just rub between your hands. The warmth of your skin will gently melt the lotion bar and thinly coat your skin. Best part – it doesn’t just provide relief but is good for your skin too.
The more I use my lotion bar, the more I love it. It can also sit out fine on your counter, but be careful not to leave in a hot car or like a tube of lotion, it could melt too. Make sure to try this DIY Lush Salt Scrub first. Oh, and if you’re looking for a beautiful way to display your lotion bars in the bathroom, check out this DIY Apothecary Jars from With Giggles & Grace.
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I want to try this Sarah. I just put coconut oil and a little oil in plastic box and froze it but of course didn’t do much. Lol
Keep up the great job.☺
Thanks Aunt Sharon! I don’t like the feel of typical lotion but I really love these.
I’ve gotta make some of these!! I got some once as a gift and loved them…thanks for the recipe!
Awesome! I give them away as gifts too.
I bet these feel amazing to use. I’m pinning this!
They do!
What a great idea. I’ve never heard of lotion bars before, but I don’t use lotion very often for the same reason as you, I hate how long it takes to soak in and the wet slimy feeling is not my favorite. But this sounds like it would be soothing and easy to use! Pinned to save and make later! Thanks.
Such a lovely, practical idea and they would make awesome gift. I can’t wait to try it, pinned. Thank you so much Sarah.
They are a huge hit, Michelle! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Been meaning to try making lotion bars for ages, and even have all the ingredients at home – will definitely try your recipe first – lovely, simple instructions 🙂
I hope you love them!
Ooooh, these sound divine! I bookmarked the page to try when I have the ingredients (and when I can justify another essential oils order to my husband!). 🙂
Yay! You will love them. Thanks for stopping by.
Good Afternoon Sarah, What a fabulous idea. Do you know I have never heard of lotion bars. After visiting India and seeing how coconut oil is used in the hair and on the skin, I have use it all the time, but I like the addition of essential oils. I am going to pin this and try it in the near future. The lotion bars will make lovely gifts for my daughters.
Best Wishes
Daphne
I really want to try something like this. Thanks for these easy instructions!
Love how easy this was to break down into a post! I definitely will be trying this out myself to make for homemade DIY gifts for friends and family!
I think I could make and use these with, I have really sensitive skin. Your bar is so pretty!
Thanks! I love using flower silicone pans.
I have been thinking about taking a Dabble class on this. Your post makes it sound doable at home. I would also love to make candles!
I definitely want to try this! I hate how slimy store bought lotions feel! This seems like a great and easy alternative.
Exactly!
I’m with you on that slimy feeling. I can only ever put cream on post-shower, otherwise I feel slippery all day. Will definitely be trying this out!
http://www.thebrunettewithablog.com
Cassie – I hope you enjoy it!
Wow lotion bars! These sound amazing, especially for this harsh winter weather. I would love to try to make some so thank you for sharing!
I love DIY beauty projects! I saw these at Lush the other day, but didn’t buy one – thought about making my own at home. I already have cocoa butter and coconut oil, I only need to get some beeswax and start crafting :). Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Ana,
http://www.365beautytips.com
This is one of the DIY’s you can literally make exactly like the store. 🙂
I’ve never heard of lotion bars. These sound awesome!
This is something I know I would love. Will have to look into it. Great post.
I’ve never heard of lotion bars before!! That is such a great idea. I love how they allow you to enjoy lotion without the greasy feeling lotions give me. Pinning this!
Thanks, Becca! They are super fun to make too.
I have never tried lotion bars, but they seen really fun to make! I bet they are a lot better to work with than traditional lotion in a bottle, too!
My mom made lotion bars once and they were pretty great. Thank you for sharing the recipe. It’s nice to know I have the option to make them myself!
I love homemade beauty products! I’ve never heard of lotion bars, but what a clever idea! Need to try this tutorial soon!!