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    Home » DIY Projects

    Lotion Bar Recipe for Natural Moisturizing

    April 23, 2020 by Patti Estep 47 Comments

    Jump to How-to Card
    Blue box with flower lotion bar
    Wrapped lotion bar with parchment and washi tape

    This Lotion Bar Recipe is made with three basic ingredients that come together to create something nice for your own dry skin needs and it makes a great gift too.

    Lotion bar in palm of hand above flowers

    While my daughter was staying with us we decided to make wonderful homemade lotion bars with some leftover beeswax, coconut oil, and shea butter. I love it for my cuticles and elbows which can be especially dry during the winter.

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    Lotion bar ingredients

     Homemade Lotion Bar Recipe

    Supplies

    • 1 cup beeswax pellets
    • 1/2 cup shea butter
    • 1/2 cup coconut oil
    • 30 drops essential oil (optional)
    Lotion bar recipe in silicone molds
    We wanted to make one flower so we skimped a little on the square molds.

    How to Make Lotion Bars

    Add a couple of inches of water to an old saucepan. 

    Then set a large glass measuring cup in the saucepan. 

    Add the beeswax, coconut oil and shea butter to the measuring cup and bring the water to a low boil. This will slowly melt the wax, oil, and butter. Stir with a wooden skewer or plastic spoon.

    Once it has all melted remove the measuring cup from the water and let cool for a minute or two.

     At this point, you can add fragrance (optional) and stir. I listed 30 drops but it will depend on the essential oil or the fragrance oil you choose. Some are stronger than others. I tend to like the scent to be fairly noticeable. However, this is a subjective measure.

    Pour into silicone molds and let harden for several hours or overnight before removing.

    Square lotion bars stacked

    This recipe is very similar to my lip balm recipe and my solid perfume recipe.

    You can vary the recipe to make the bar harder or softer.

    Test it by dipping a teaspoon into the hot mixture and placing it into the freezer for 1-2 minutes.

    Take the spoon out of the freezer and feel the consistency of the mix. Is it easy to rub on your skin? Or is it a little too soft?  Add more wax to make the lotion bar harder or more oil to soften it.

    Flower shaped lotion bar in blue box

    This lotion bar recipe is perfect for gifts.

    How cute is this flower shaped bar? It fits perfectly in this pretty Tiffany blue box.

    Square lotion bar wrapped in parchment paper

    Wrap a few in parchment paper and some washi tape to give them out to your friends.

    I know they will love it!

    Patti signature

    Click Here to Save to Pinterest!

    Square lotion bar in hand
    Lotion bar in palm of hand above flowers
    Print
    5 from 1 vote

    Lotion Bar Recipe

    This Lotion Bar Recipe is made with three basic ingredients you can easily create for your own dry skins need and make a great gift too.
    Prep Time5 mins
    Active Time10 mins
    Total Time15 mins
    Course: Homemade Bath and Body
    Yield: 6
    Author: Patti Estep

    Equipment

    • Old pot
    • Glass measuring cup
    • Wood skewer or plastic spoon
    • Silicone molds

    Materials

    • 1 cup beeswax pellets
    • 1/2 cup shea butter
    • 1/2 cup coconut oil
    • 30 drops essential oil optional

    Instructions

    • Place some water in an old saucepan. Just a few inches to heat the measuring cup.
    • Set a large glass measuring cup in the water.
    • Add the beeswax, shea butter, and coconut into the measuring cup.
    • Bring the water to a boil and melt all the ingredients, stirring with the skewer or spoon.
    • Once all the ingredients are melted remove the measuring cup and let sit for about a minute before adding any fragrance.
    • Pour into silicone molds.
    • After several hours or overnight remove the lotion bars from the mold and wrap in parchment or place in bags.

    Notes

    If you want to add fragrance to the lotion bars you can add essential oils or fragrance oils to the lotion bars before pouring. Fragrance oils tend to be stronger so you may need less. However, the strength of the scent is subjective so you may want to experiment a little.

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    About Patti Estep

    Patti is the creator of Hearth and Vine, a home and garden blog filled with projects to inspire your creative side. She loves crafting, gardening, decorating and entertaining at her home in Pennsylvania. When she is not working on a project at home or searching for treasures at nurseries and thrift stores with her girlfriends, you’ll probably find her with family and friends, at a restaurant, or home party enjoying new and different food adventures.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Rebecca Dillon

      July 02, 2020 at 8:02 am

      I love lotion bars. They're so easy to make and work great. Plus there's the bonus of not having to fuss with getting an emulsion right or having to use a preservative!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        July 02, 2020 at 8:38 am

        I agree Rebecca and they are so fun to make.

        Reply
    2. Lynne

      April 29, 2020 at 9:40 am

      I love this idea, Patti! These look like they are so easy to make and I bet they feel amazing on your skin. I think I will make these for a Mother's Day gift for my mom. Always so wonderful to be hopping with you! Pinned!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        April 29, 2020 at 10:12 am

        Thanks Lynne. I think they would make an awesome Mother's Day present.

        Reply
    3. Michelle

      April 24, 2020 at 6:24 pm

      These look so much easier to make than I thought. I can't wait to try these! Hopefully I can make some in time for Mother's Day.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        April 25, 2020 at 6:39 am

        Michelle, they are so easy and would make a perfect Mother's Day.

        Reply
    4. Cecilia

      April 24, 2020 at 10:10 am

      Patti, I'm a huge fan of essential oils and natural products, so I can't wait to try this! Happy to be joining you for this creative hop! Blessings, Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        April 24, 2020 at 10:22 am

        Thanks Cecilia. Me too. This was a good time for me to join in on the crafty fun.

        Reply
    5. Gail @Purple Hues and Me

      April 24, 2020 at 9:39 am

      What perfect timing, Patti! My hands are so dry and itchy from all the washings, I'm sure this is exactly what is needed to make them feel soft and luxurious again. Nothing beats homemade lotion bars, especially with coconut oil and shea butter in it! Great for eczema, too! Definitely a must try! Thanks!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        April 24, 2020 at 9:42 am

        Thanks Gail. I have eczema on my nails of all places. I was just diagnosed last fall. The lotion bars due help. I keep one next to my desk but these days my poor hands are constantly in water. Better to be safe, right.

        Reply
    6. Liberty

      April 23, 2020 at 11:15 pm

      Homemade soap is so much fun to make--- I love using my chocolate molds for soap! Nice to "meet you" Patti.

      Liberty from B4andAfters.com

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        April 24, 2020 at 6:37 am

        I think you could make these lotion bars with your chocolate molds. I have made soap with the square molds. It was just a melt and pour but it worked great.

        Reply
    7. Rebecca

      April 23, 2020 at 10:36 pm

      These look so easy to make! I love that there's only 4 ingredients. Anyone would be thrilled to receive one as a gift, especially now that we're washing our hands so frequently. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        April 24, 2020 at 6:38 am

        Rebecca, they really are easy and you could substitute different oils and fragrances, even the molds to make something unique.

        Reply
    8. Leanna Forsythe

      April 23, 2020 at 8:45 pm

      Hi Patty. I have never made my own skin products and I really need to. I have so many allergies including cocoa butter so this recipe is Perfect for me to try. Pinning.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        April 24, 2020 at 6:39 am

        Leanna, these are so easy and you can play around with different ingredients to make it just the way you want.

        Reply
    9. Debbee M

      April 23, 2020 at 8:17 pm

      Patti, I would love to be a lucky recipient of one of your homemade soaps! Your description and lovely photography had me yearning for the lovely scent. Aromatherapy! Noticed you also live in PA --- whereabouts? I'm in the suburbs of PIttsburgh.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        April 24, 2020 at 7:47 am

        Thanks Debbee. I also live in the suburbs of Pittsburgh. The lotion bars are really nice but they wouldn't work as soap. However, I have used the same square molds to make soap with essential oils and they turned out great.

        Reply
    10. Chloe

      April 23, 2020 at 6:22 pm

      These sound so lovely! his is a great idea and I think I want to make these for gifts at Christmas! I know my nails and hands could use these right now, with so much crafting and no manicures available! Thank you so much for joining in the hop!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        April 24, 2020 at 7:27 am

        Thanks Chloe and for your coordinating efforts. I can't wait until the salons open. I tried coloring my hair yesterday and it was a big fail. My hands are pretty much always a mess but I do love a pedicure once sandal weather is upon us. I guess I'll have to do that myself too.

        Reply
    11. Kristin

      April 23, 2020 at 5:52 pm

      This is such a great idea! I can't wait to try it!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        April 24, 2020 at 7:23 am

        That's great to hear Kristin.

        Reply
    12. Cynthia

      April 23, 2020 at 4:24 pm

      What a fun project. Who doesn't need a lotion bar. Great gift idea. Great hopping with you.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        April 24, 2020 at 7:23 am

        Thanks Cynthia. They are so easy and since my daughter was interested in creating with me it was a no brainer.

        Reply
    13. Calypso in the Country

      April 23, 2020 at 2:02 pm

      What a creative idea and a perfect craft to try while we are all home! I'm sure they smell wonderful with those essential oils. So great to hop with you! Stay well!
      Shelley

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        April 23, 2020 at 2:32 pm

        Thanks Shelley. I agree and they were super quick to make.

        Reply
    14. L Marie Dabbs

      April 23, 2020 at 1:58 pm

      I can't decide if I love the flower shape look or the wrapped square look better, lol. I would love to make these with a warm vanilla scent!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        April 23, 2020 at 2:29 pm

        Oooo vanilla would be so nice.

        Reply
    15. Andrea

      April 23, 2020 at 12:54 pm

      These look so pretty! Can't wait until I can go back to shopping to try these out. I also love the printable card. That looks so great. Is it Create?

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        April 23, 2020 at 1:21 pm

        Thanks Andrea. Yes, I use the Create plugin for all of my recipes and sometimes I use it for tutorials but I know I should be using it for all of my "how-to" posts.

        Reply
    16. Carole West

      April 23, 2020 at 12:08 pm

      I popped over from Jemma's blog... Love this idea and I think you've inspired my Christmas gift giving once again this year. I love this idea and it looks so simple which is right up my alley. Saved on Pinterest and bookmarked for later so I can search for some holiday molds. Thanks Friend...

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        April 23, 2020 at 1:19 pm

        Thanks Carole. It's very basic and that's good because you can really adapt it to your preferences. I know you will get creative and make it your own.

        Reply
    17. Sara

      April 23, 2020 at 11:08 am

      I've never tried making bars but these look lovely and easy to do! And of course a must have since we're all washing our hands so much these days. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        April 23, 2020 at 11:16 am

        Thanks Sara. They are quick and easy to make and I have one sitting on my desk so I can use it throughout the day.

        Reply
    18. Jane Topolovec-Vranic

      April 23, 2020 at 10:29 am

      These look amazing. I have that same flower mold and have used it to make aloe and glycerin soaps. I love how your lotion bars turned out!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        April 23, 2020 at 11:01 am

        Thanks Jane. It's a great versatile mold. Aloe and glycerin soap sounds wonderful. I've used it to make candles too.

        Reply
    19. Terrie Tipler

      April 23, 2020 at 10:27 am

      I am going to have to try making some. Thanks for the tutorial.

      Reply
    20. Chas Greener

      April 23, 2020 at 9:54 am

      As a breast cancer survivor, using all natural ingredients is a must for me. I love these bars you made, thanks so much for sharing.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        April 23, 2020 at 11:04 am

        Chas, I'm so glad you like the lotion bars. It's nice to be able to make anything with natural ingredients so I try to do just that when I can.

        Reply
    21. Jenna

      April 23, 2020 at 9:50 am

      Sounds divine, I've never made anything like this, what a great gift too!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        April 23, 2020 at 9:54 am

        Thanks Jenna. I will definitely be giving some away. Hopefully soon and in person.

        Reply
    22. Rachelle Rubio

      April 23, 2020 at 9:06 am

      Patti, your lotion bar is so timely with all the hand washing we are told to do! I love the the flower mold idea - would make a pretty mom's day gift.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        April 23, 2020 at 9:10 am

        Thanks Rachelle. My daughter took the flower one, of course, but I'm considering making more for future gifts.

        Reply
    23. Jemma

      April 23, 2020 at 8:58 am

      Hi Patti,
      So wonderful to be crafting and blog hopping with you! I truly need this soap recipe in more ways than one. We live in the driest climate and now we are washing our hands a million times a day.
      These are the sweetest little soap bars and would make such wonderful gifts too!
      Thank you!
      Jemma

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        April 23, 2020 at 9:10 am

        Jemma, I was delighted to see your name listed above mine and knew that I would find a wonderful cheerful craft. Stay well and safe friend.

        Reply
    24. Mary at Home is Where the Boat Is

      April 23, 2020 at 8:36 am

      What a timely craft during time of endless hand washing and alcohol-based sanitizer! Happy to be crafting with you today, stay safe!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        April 23, 2020 at 8:48 am

        Thanks Mary. It's something I've been meaning to try and my 25 year old wanted to do it with me to that was a bonus. Happy to be crafting with such a fun bunch too. Stay healthy and safe.

        Reply

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