Homemade Lotion Bars (Easy DIY Recipe)

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Only three main ingredients. Coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax create a simple solid lotion bar.
• Easy to customize. Add your favorite skin-compatible fragrance or essential oil, or leave the bars unscented.
• No special equipment required. A saucepan, heat-safe container, and silicone mold are all you need.
• Great for homemade gifts. Make a batch for Christmas, birthdays, Mother's Day, or a spa-themed gift basket.
• Convenient to use. Lotion bars are solid at room temperature and soften slightly when warmed between your hands.
• Easy to make ahead. The bars can be prepared in advance and stored until you're ready to use or gift them.

What Others ARe Saying

Thank you for this recipe, Brandy! I just made some unscented bars for my husband and some lavender rosemary ones for myself. We both love them.---Kristine

Tips and Tricks

• Use equal amounts of the three main ingredients. This recipe uses 2 ounces each of coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax pellets.
• Melt the ingredients gently. A double boiler provides gentle, indirect heat and helps prevent the ingredients from overheating.
• Stir until completely melted. Beeswax takes a little longer to melt than coconut oil, so make sure the mixture is fully liquid before pouring it into the molds.
• Add fragrance carefully. Essential oils are optional. Choose oils suitable for leave-on skin products, follow the supplier's recommended usage limits, and allow the mixture to cool slightly before adding them.
• Use silicone molds. Flexible silicone molds make it easier to release the solid bars without breaking them.
• Refrigerate to speed up setting. Let the bars begin to firm at room temperature, then carefully transfer the mold to the refrigerator.
• Keep the bars cool. Coconut oil can soften in warm conditions, so store your finished bars away from direct sunlight and heat.
• Make a small test batch if changing the formula. Different oils, butters, and waxes can change the firmness and feel of the finished bar.

Ingredients

• Coconut oil: The oil helps the bar glide across the skin and contributes to its softening feel.
• Shea butter: Adds a rich, buttery texture and helps the finished bar feel smooth on the skin.
• Beeswax pellets: Beeswax gives the mixture structure, allowing it to harden into a solid bar at room temperature.
• Vitamin E oil: The contents of two vitamin E capsules are added to the melted mixture. Vitamin E is an optional cosmetic ingredient, not a preservative for water-based products.
• Essential oils: Optional. I used lemon and lime essential oils for a fresh citrus scent. Choose products appropriate for leave-on skin use and follow their safety instructions.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Equipment You'll Need

• Saucepan: Used to heat water for the double boiler.
• Heat-safe glass measuring cup or small pot: Holds the ingredients while they melt.
• Pourable measuring cup: Makes it easier to fill the molds without spilling.
• Silicone lotion bar or soap molds: Flexible molds make it easy to remove the finished bars.
• Small baking sheet or tray: Provides a stable surface for moving the molds to the refrigerator.

Use heat-safe equipment designed for the temperatures involved. Avoid placing a sealed container over hot water, and keep water from splashing into the melted ingredients.

How to Make Homemade Lotion Bars

Step 1: Prepare the double boiler. Add about 2 inches of water to a saucepan and bring it to a gentle simmer. Place a heat-safe glass measuring cup or small pot over the saucepan, making sure the bottom of the container doesn't touch the water.

Step 2: Melt the coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax. Add the three ingredients to the heat-safe container. Stir occasionally until everything has melted and the mixture is smooth. Beeswax may take a little longer to melt completely.

Step 3: Add the vitamin E. Carefully remove the container from the heat. Cut the tip off two vitamin E capsules and squeeze the contents into the melted mixture. Stir to combine.

Step 4: Add the essential oils. If using essential oils, allow the mixture to cool slightly before adding them. Stir well. I used approximately 15 drops each of lemon and lime essential oils, but the appropriate amount depends on the specific product and its recommended usage limits.

Step 5: Pour into the molds. Carefully pour the liquid mixture into your silicone molds. Work slowly to avoid spills, and place the molds on a small tray if they need to be moved.

Step 6: Let the bars begin to set. Leave the molds at room temperature for about 15 minutes, or until the tops begin to look solid. Carefully transfer the molds to the refrigerator and chill for about 30 minutes, or until the bars are completely firm.

Step 7: Remove the lotion bars from the molds. Once fully solid, gently flex the silicone molds to release the bars. If a bar feels soft or bends, return it to the refrigerator until it firms up.

Step 8: Store the finished bars. Keep the lotion bars in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat. If your home is warm, refrigerating them between uses can help prevent softening.

How to Use Lotion Bars

Lotion bars are different from traditional liquid lotion. They don't contain added water and won't lather like soap. Instead, they soften slightly when warmed against your skin and leave a thin layer of oils and butters.

1. Hold the bar between your hands for a few seconds to warm the surface.
2. Glide the bar over clean, dry skin, such as your hands, elbows, knees, or heels.
3. Use your hands to gently spread the product into a thin layer.
4. Allow the oils and butters to settle into the skin before handling fabrics or other items.

A little goes a long way. If the bar feels too oily, apply less and spread it more thinly.

For dry heels, apply a small amount before bed and put on a pair of socks. Be careful when walking immediately after applying a product containing oils, since it can make floors slippery.

How to Store Homemade Lotion Bars

Store fully hardened lotion bars in a clean, dry container in a cool place away from direct sunlight, radiators, and other sources of heat. Coconut oil can soften in warm conditions, so the bars may become softer during hot weather.

If your home is warm, store the bars in the refrigerator and allow them to warm slightly before use. Avoid getting water into the storage container or leaving a used bar in a wet area.

Keep the bars clean and dry, discard them if their appearance or smell changes, and make smaller batches if you won't use them regularly.

How to Customize Homemade Lotion Bars

One of the best things about homemade lotion bars is that you can customize the scent and mold shape. Keep in mind that changing the main ingredients can also change the firmness and feel of the finished bar.

• Make them unscented. Simply leave out the essential oils. This is a good option for gifts when you don't know the recipient's fragrance preferences.
• Try a different essential oil. Lavender or another skin-compatible scent can be used instead of citrus. Always follow the supplier's directions for leave-on products, and be aware that some citrus essential oils can increase sensitivity to sunlight.
• Use decorative molds. Flower, heart, or other silicone molds can make the bars look special for gifts. Smaller molds also make convenient individual portions.
• Try a different butter or oil. Cocoa butter or another cosmetic butter may be used in a different lotion bar formula, but substitutions can change the texture and firmness. Test a small batch before making a large quantity.
• Make a gift set. Package completely hardened bars in a clean tin or other suitable container. Add a label with the ingredients and instructions for use.

FAQs

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