I used to use conventional non-organic and 100% unnatural body lotion on a daily basis till I got pregnant. This was when I asked: Is this thing that I am putting every single day on my belly (and the rest of my body) good for my baby? Back then I still didn’t know the answer, but to stay on the safe side, I just stopped using body lotion completely. Then I found an alternative – 100% natural and organic homemade lotion bars. Hooray!
At first, as a complete newbie in DIY skin care products I was a bit discouraged by my lack of competence and experience. But completely in vain. The lotion bars recipe below is simple and easy. Not yet convinced to give it a try? Here are some more incentives:
- the solid lotion bars are more economical than the conventional body lotions,
- you have full control over the ingredients, the shapes and the hardness,
- they are a great gift even if only for yourself and
- they effectively heal dry and cracked skin, which I had in abundance after this long long winter.
Homemade Lotion Bars Recipe
Ingredients:
- beeswax (it “seals” the below ingredients for longer lasting absorption)
- sweet almond oil or any other carrier oil that you wish e.g. coconut oil
- shea butter (it soothes and calms skin irritations)
- essential oil. For the lotion bar on the picture I chose tea tree (antibacterial, antiviral, immune system booster).
Directions:
1. Don’t forget to clean very well the place where you are going to prepare your homemade lotion bars. Also, tt’s not a bad idea to sterilize your utensils and pots. Wash your hands.
2. Prepare equal parts of beeswax, sweet almond oil (or other carrier oil) and shea butter. If you want a large lotion bar, may be 2oz is a good starting point. If you don’t have kitchen scales, you can grate the beeswax and according to its quantity to measure the rest of the ingredients. Note that if you want a bit harder lotion bars, you need to add about 15 – 20% more beeswax. Harder lotion bars are very suitable for warmer temperatures. If you want it softer, add more sweet almond oil (or another oil). Softer lotion bars are good for application on baby skin.
3. Use the double – boiler method to melt the beeswax. Once done add the oil you have chosen and the shea butter. Start stirring. Remember to not overdo with heating the shea butter or the other oil as they need much less time to melt. This will minimize oxidation and will prevent the shea butter (or cocoa butter, if you use) from going grainy.
4. Add the essential oil, about 10 drops per 2 oz. and stir again.
5. Pour the mixture in a mold (s) and wait to cool and harden well.
Tip: Don’t be in a hurry! If you try to get your hard lotion bars from the mold(s) too early, your masterpiece will crack or even break. If you want to see it ready ASAP, just put it in the freezer for ~ 10 min.
6. Wrap in wax paper if you plan to use your homemade lotion bars as gifts or just enjoy them yourself. Your skin will start to look and feel soft and healthy in just a few hours from your first application.
For the lotion bar you see in the picture above I got this rosy color by adding a bit of powder of raspberry extract that has strong anti-aging properties.
This hard lotion bars recipe was easy, right? Do you want to share yours?
