Lotion bars

Course DIY

Keyword beeswax, diy skincare, homemade gifts, lotion bars

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 10

Total Time 25

Shea butter, coconut oil, olive oil and beeswax. Pour into molds or tubes and rub on dry skin.

What You’ll Need

2 TBSP shea butter
1 TBSP coconut oil (use extra shea butter if allergic to coconut)
2 tsp olive oil (or castor oil)
2 tsp beeswax pellets
20 drops essential oils (optional)
Double boiler (or heat-safe glass bowl over a pot) deodorant tubes

Directions

Pour several inches of water into the bottom pot.
Put everything except the essential oils in the top of the double boiler.
Heat over medium, stirring now and then, until melted (about 10 minutes of hands-on time).
Lift off the heat and stir in the essential oils.
Pour into the lotion bar tube.
Let cool for several hours or overnight in the fridge (chilling keeps shea butter smooth); the cooling time is about 2 hours.

Notes

Rub on dry skin wherever you need moisture, not the face. Keep in a cool, dry place up to 2 years; shea can turn grainy, so chill before use if needed. More beeswax makes a firmer bar; less beeswax and more oil makes a smoother one. Leave out essential oils for very sensitive skin or very young children. For bar shapes, pour into a silicone mold instead of tubes. Safety: patch test; hot wax burns; beeswax is not vegan.