Learn how to make a lotion bar with only three basic ingredients. This easy DIY bath and body project comes together to create something nice for your own dry skin, and it makes a great gift.
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, needing extra moisture during the winter months.
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Supplies
- 1 cup beeswax pellets
- 1/2 cup shea butter
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 30 drops of essential oil (optional)
- Old pot or Double Boiler
- Glass measuring cup
- Wood skewer or plastic spoon
- Silicone molds or a small muffin tin
How to Make Lotion Bars
Step 1. Add a couple of inches of water to an old saucepan.
Step 2. Set a large glass measuring cup in the saucepan.
Step 3. 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.
Step 4. Once it has all melted, remove the measuring cup from the water and let it cool for a minute or two.
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Step 5. 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.
Step 6. Pour into silicone molds and let harden for several hours or overnight before removing.
This recipe is very similar to my lip balm recipe and my solid perfume recipe.
Hardness Test Trick
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.
Wouldn't this lotion bar recipe make a perfect gift? How cute is this flower-shaped bar? It fits perfectly in this pretty Tiffany blue colored box.
Wrap a few of these solid lotion bars in parchment or pretty tissue paper, and some washi tape to give them out to your friends.
I know they will love it!
More Homemade Skincare Products
Lotion Bar Recipe
Equipment
- Old pot
- Glass measuring cup
- Wood skewer or plastic spoon
- Silicone molds
Materials
- 1 cup beeswax pellets ~ 8 ounces
- 1/2 cup shea butter
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 30 drops essential oil (like lavender or geranium) 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 the liquid blend into silicone molds.
- After several hours or overnight remove the lotion bars from the mold and wrap in parchment or place in bags.
Notes
Rebecca Dillon
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!
Patti Estep
I agree Rebecca and they are so fun to make.
Lynne
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!
Patti Estep
Thanks Lynne. I think they would make an awesome Mother's Day present.
Michelle
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.
Patti Estep
Michelle, they are so easy and would make a perfect Mother's Day.
Cecilia
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
Patti Estep
Thanks Cecilia. Me too. This was a good time for me to join in on the crafty fun.
Gail @Purple Hues and Me
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!
Patti Estep
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.
Liberty
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
Patti Estep
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.
Rebecca
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!
Patti Estep
Rebecca, they really are easy and you could substitute different oils and fragrances, even the molds to make something unique.
Leanna Forsythe
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.
Patti Estep
Leanna, these are so easy and you can play around with different ingredients to make it just the way you want.
Debbee M
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.
Patti Estep
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.
Chloe
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!
Patti Estep
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.
Kristin
This is such a great idea! I can't wait to try it!
Patti Estep
That's great to hear Kristin.
Cynthia
What a fun project. Who doesn't need a lotion bar. Great gift idea. Great hopping with you.
Patti Estep
Thanks Cynthia. They are so easy and since my daughter was interested in creating with me it was a no brainer.
Calypso in the Country
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
Patti Estep
Thanks Shelley. I agree and they were super quick to make.
L Marie Dabbs
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!
Patti Estep
Oooo vanilla would be so nice.
Andrea
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?
Patti Estep
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.
Carole West
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...
Patti Estep
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.
Sara
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.
Patti Estep
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.
Jane Topolovec-Vranic
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!
Patti Estep
Thanks Jane. It's a great versatile mold. Aloe and glycerin soap sounds wonderful. I've used it to make candles too.
Terrie Tipler
I am going to have to try making some. Thanks for the tutorial.
Chas Greener
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.
Patti Estep
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.
Jenna
Sounds divine, I've never made anything like this, what a great gift too!
Patti Estep
Thanks Jenna. I will definitely be giving some away. Hopefully soon and in person.
Rachelle Rubio
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.
Patti Estep
Thanks Rachelle. My daughter took the flower one, of course, but I'm considering making more for future gifts.
Jemma
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
Patti Estep
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.
Mary at Home is Where the Boat Is
What a timely craft during time of endless hand washing and alcohol-based sanitizer! Happy to be crafting with you today, stay safe!
Patti Estep
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.