I am beginning to love working with a variety of oils and butters. In my first attempt, I made a soothing balm for headache relief that I quite love using. Today I decided to make some more varieties and I ended up making two body lotion bars – lavender and orange. I have used body lotion bars earlier and I found it a non messy option to the actual lotions. Since I never saw this product online, so I decided to make my own lotion bar. I had all the ingredients required at home. All I needed to do was stop being lazy and get to the task! And this is a super simple recipe of how to make natural lotion bars at home.
What are Lotion bars and How to make Lotion Bars at Home
What I used
Pure coconut oil – 3 tbsp
Shea butter – 1.5 tbsp
Cocoa butter – mixed to make 1.5 tbsp
Raw beeswax – 2 tbsp (you can omit this if you are vegan)
Essential oils of Lavender and Orange
A few drops of Vit E oil (optional)
Molds to set the lotion bars
I have blocks of raw beeswax so I need to either grate it or chop it into small pieces. The last time I grated it and a lot of of was stuck to the grater, so I decided to chop it this time. I have taken an extra amount of beeswax so that the bar has a firm consistency. If you used the ingredients in the same proportion (one part each), the bar is slightly soft to the touch. I did not want it turning squishy on contact so I added an extra portion of beeswax to keep the consistency more solid. You can also choose to use either the shea butter or the cocoa butter only. In this recipe I have used both the varieties of the butter.
How to make the lotion bar
What I did was to combine all ingredients (except essential oils) in a steel bowl and place it as a double boiler over a saucepan with 2 – 3 inches of water in it. Use the lowest flame possible. It takes about 5 minutes to completely melt. I use a small wooden spoon to stir it constantly. When it has melted completely, take it off the burner and add the essential oil. Since I was planning to make two varieties of the body lotion bar, I added 10 drops of the EO in the molds. I have used Lavender and Orange essential oils for this DIY motion bar recipe. I poured the melted oil in the molds and mixed it so that the EO’s blend in with the oil. And I let it sit for a while.
The bars were completely set in 15 minutes and I just popped them out of the mold and stored it in the fridge for an hour and this is how they look! I am happy because I have yet another task that I have accomplished and managed to tick off the list! There is a certain excitement and thrill that you go through when you start making products that you use daily on your own. Would you try making this?
Store the lotion bars in the refrigerator. To use, place the bar in your palm and let it warm a bit and apply the lotion bar on your skin like you would use a soap. You can massage the skin to let the oils spread and moisturize.
- Getting all the ingredients: Tough
- Complexity Level : Easy
- Time taken to make it : 25 mins from start to finish
- Time taken for the bars to set : 15 mins
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Never heard of lotion bars, Prats. How would I apply them? How would I store them? 🙂 And I had no idea one can buy beeswax. Where?
Added the info Vidya 🙂
Thank you very much, Prats!
Hey Prats,
I was just so happy to read your DIY lotion bars, sounds interesting. I will definately try it over once i get the ingredients 😉 🙂 and let you know .
Thanks fo sharing this!
Sri
Welcome! I will look forward to your feedback.
Very interesting Pratibha, I actually googled lotion bars when I saw your update on FB as I hadn’t heard of these before. Just might make these some time. 🙂
Please do or come over, I’ll make some for you 🙂
They look so pretty!! Can we use them as plain lotion in liquid form without setting in the fridge? And is there any place that sells these ingredients online?
Fab,it won’t stay as a lotion 🙁 The beeswax will harden it. If you can wait, I am working on lotions too 🙂 I used to buy mine from Lush and I have a friend who makes it too, but shipping is an issue as it can melt quickly. I don’t know if it is available online because I got no results in my searches. Let me keep a lookout for you.
Where do you source the Shea and Cocoa butter from ? Whereabout in Mumbai or Pune ?
So convenient to use. I am reminded of my days when I worked on essential oils 🙂
I wish you start selling them , people need ‘real’ natural options for skin care, chemicals are frightening.
Sangeeta, I love making these things and would be more than glad to make it for my friends and family. I don’t think I would enjoy it if I made it a business. 🙁 that is why I share the recipes to reach out with more goodness 🙂
Wow! Lotion bars… very cool and very innovative!! Seeing and reading them here for the first time. Thanks for sharing, Prats 🙂
And it is easy to make too 🙂
I am so used to lotions in a bottle that this seems so interesting! Doubt if I can make it though. Love your instructions and photography 🙂
All you need are the ingredients 🙂 I found this really simple and easy to make.
I didn’t even know that making these at home was possible!!
Interesting! And the procedure seems quite easy.
Where would you get the ingredients though??!!
Check your email 🙂
Love the idea.,.am so inspired by ur DIY projects…want to start by making these lotion bars…but can u plz help me by sharing where u got the ingredients…esp. the shea/cocoa butter and the beeswax. Appreciate it.
-Aparna
Please check your gmail. I have sent the details.
I really like your home made skin products. They are easy to make, just have to find all the ingredients. I’ll have to check your site for homemade face scrubs.
Thank you! I run away from complicated stuff. I have always looked for easy options that are non fussy and easy to make. I am in the midst of making a post of face scrubs, so wait 😀 I work more on body scrubs.
Amazing. Never thought of making lotion bars at home.Let’s see if I can source all the ingredients required. I am sure it will be fun.
Geeta, please check your email. I have sent the details of the person to contact, just mention that you cam via my blog.
Absolutely loving the concept! I’m going to investigate sources and do this. You’re a rock star, my dear!
Thank you Corinne! <3
Prats, I have looked out for couple of places in Hyd and couldnt get the shea and cocoa butter neither the Beeswax, any idea if you can help with ??
Check your mail 🙂
Prats,
Really Interesting.. I definitely want to make one for myself.. Please do email where to buy the ingredients…
Check your mail 🙂
Hey Prats,
Finally i have tried the lotion bars at home 🙂 and they are just awesome 😀
Awesome! pics please!!
thanks for sharing this lovely DIY. can you please tell me where can i get shea and cocoa butter? can we use also use coconut oil instead of the butters if they are not easily available. thanks a lot in advance.
Check you mail 🙂
I’ve never heard of lotion bars! I have such terribly dry skin. This may be a neat option.
Kristin, if your skin is very dry, you can add a little extra coconut oil to make the lotion bars creamier.
What a great idea. Thanks for sharing. QUESTION: what kind of moulds are you using? how do you remove the bars from the moulds?
Pema
I use silicone moulds; makes it easier to pop the set bars out of it. I have seen a lot of people use the paper mould too as it makes it easier to rip off the paper, but I am more comfortable with the silicone moulds.
This is really interesting. I am tempted to try, though a little skeptical about getting the ingredients.
Hi Pratibha,
Would love to make one of these for my daughter. She is 4. Can I use the same ingredients for her? Also, could you tell me where I can get the beeswax, cocoa butter and Shea butter from. Please let me know.
Thanks in advance,
Regards,
Bindu
Bindu are you looking for massage oils or moisturisers for your little one?
I thought that I would make the body butters for her for this winter. Any suggestion will be welcome.
Regards,
Bindu
Bars look good but difficult to get the ingredients… where can we source them from
hi Pratibha,
lovely recipe for the lotion bars. Can U pl. tell me from where you can get all the ingredients?? Is Moksha lifestyle a good option??
Would appreciate a response from you. Thanks
Veena,
Here you go:
Shea butter : http://amzn.to/2hh4Aao
Beeswax – 1. http://amzn.to/2hyP3pN
2. http://amzn.to/2hh4Rdt
Coconut oil : http://amzn.to/2hh16F6 – I used this one, but you can choose from these links: http://amzn.to/2gQFM8o
Essential oils – http://amzn.to/2hyF6sb