Whoever invented the original lotion bar recipe is genius, pure genius.
I mean seriously, why would you ever use boring ole lotion again?
Especially when there’s an ultra moisturizing homemade lotion bar waiting for you to caress your skin with!
The easiest of DIYs, the most perfect of gifts, these lotion bar recipes are my jam and I’m so excited to share them with you!
If you’re looking for other gift ideas, check out our 5 Favorite Sugar Scrub Recipes + our 5 Super Easy Homemade Lotions!
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Let’s cut to the chase. These lotion bars will rock your world! Here are a few reasons why:
- Shelf Life.
Homemade beauty products don’t have the same shelf life as store bought. Why? Because they aren’t filled with a bunch of chemicals/preservatives – yay!
But these bars… these bars! They’ll last an awful lot longer than most homemade recipes because they don’t use water as an ingredient.
Most DIYers slap a 6 month to 1-year shelf life on them.
Keep in mind, they will melt when heated, so I recommend keeping them in a baggy out of direct sunlight and not next to a heater (duh).
- Saves mooola!
As you know, toiletries can be ridiculously over priced and making them at home is a huge money saver.
Since these bars have a longish shelf life, they’re the perfect recipe to make in bulk!
Saving you loads of money and time.
Have you ever gotten a dirty look for whipping out a giant bottle of lotion from your purse?
Then these bars are perfect for you. Toss them in a baggie and into your purse. No glass, no leaks, no problem!
- Lotion Bar Recipes to the rescue!
In the winter months we all have areas on our skin that get a little extra chapped.
I find it far more convenient to rub a lotion bar on my elbows and heals than regular lotion.
How Do You Use A Hard Lotion
Alright, they’re cool, but they aren’t the lotion you’re used to. So how do you use a hard lotion?!
Homemade lotion bars are solid at room temperature, and are activated by the warmth of your skin.
When you’re ready to moisturize, simply rub the bar over the surface of desired area, and voila! You’ve got lotion where you need it.
This makes them extremely portable and easy to use.
Lotion Bar Recipe Vs. Lotion Recipe
It all boils down the personal preference when it comes to lotion bars vs. lotion.
I think these bars are pretty groovy although they both play a serious role in my beauty routine.
Compared to regular lotion, I find lotion bars to be far more convenient.
They typically have a longer shelf life (since these recipes don’t call for water), and are easier to use on the go and on hard to get areas.
That said, I use most of these homemade lotion recipes on the regular, and absolutely love giving them out as gifts around the holidays.
Lotion Bar Molds
Guess what? Despite how cute they look, these bars don’t require a fancy-shmazy mold to make, you have no excuse!
This formula can be poured into just about anything. So get creative!
I’ve made these bad boys in muffin cups, silicon ice cube trays, and silicon soap molds.
You can also spray the sides of a larger pan with cooking oil and cut the lotion bars into manageable slices. Try using a bread pan for this.
If you’re looking for the same shape I used in the photos, check out this mold on Amazon!
I also REALLY love the idea of using these Christmas shapes for holiday gifts, and these flower shapes for any other time of year!
The Ingredients and Why I Love Them
Alright, if you don’t know this by now, I avoid store bought toiletries.
I’ll keep this part short and simple, but to sum up my thoughts on those products:
- There’s a lot of unknown when it comes to what we put on our skin, such as:
How much do our bodies absorb from topical application? What effect (if any) do the absorbed chemicals used in over the counter beauty products have on our bodies?
- Although the science hasn’t proven or disproven these questions, some ingredients are being heavily scrutinized from their potentially harmful affects.
Jury is still out. But I’m not waiting. And have chosen to avoid these chemicals in the interim.
Ergo, for the most part I make my own toiletries.
Now, let’s talk about how awesome, not questionable and totally nourishing the ingredients used in these lotion bars are:
- Coconut Oil is super moisturizing for your skin and hair, plus has a decent amount of antioxidant Vitamin E (source).
Studies show that topical application of this oil eleveates aptopic dermatitis and eczema far better than mineral oil (source) (source).
In addition to being an awesome moisturizer, shea butter contains a substance that can reduce skin swelling, therefore may help treat conditions such as eczema (source)
- Cocoa Butter is yet another extremely moisturizing ingredient used in these bars to nourish your skin.
Studies have found that cocoa polyphenols, an ingredient found in cocoa butter can improve skin elasticity and skin tone! (source).
Beeswax is made from the honeycomb of the bee and is used in cosmetics as a thickener and emulsifier (source).
It’s primarily used in these recipes to keep the ingredients together, however it’s light scent is an appreciated addition.
Beeswax, when combined with honey and olive oil, has been found to help patients with psoriasis and dermatitis (source).
Lotion Bar Recipe Without Beeswax
Beeswax: the good, the bad and the ugly….
The good: Beeswax has a light floral fragrance I love adding to my concoctions. It helps to harden the lotion bars so they’ll remain solid at room temperature.
The bad: Beeswax is not an easy ingredient to work with.
It typically comes in a large block of wax that’s hard to melt/measure. However, it can be purchased in pellets, making it far more manageable!
The ugly: The main problem people have with this ingredient is the waxy feeling it leaves on your skin.
I’ll be honest, I don’t love the waxy feeling.
BUT I do add beeswax to most of my lotions. I’ve found (and have no evidence to back this up other than personal experience) that beeswax “locks in” the moisture of the lotion, leading to more nourished skin.
Is beeswax your thing? If not, try one of the homemade lotion bar recipes below that doesn’t call for beeswax.
Top 5 Homemade Lotion Bar Recipes
Here are out top 5 favorite homemade lotion bar recipes! Let us know your favorites in the comments below.
Chocolate Chai Tea Lotion Bar
1/3 Cup Coconut Oil
1/3 Cup Cocoa Butter
1/3 Cup Beeswax
1 1/2 Teaspoon Cinnamon
1 Teaspoon Nutmeg
2. Add all ingredients to jar and stir to combine (I do this with a chopstick, or popsicle stick).
3. Pour melted lotion into molds.
4. Set aside and allow to cool (I typically put it in the fridge to cool faster!)
3 Ingredient Lotion Bar
Ingredients:
1/3 Cup Coconut Oil
1/3 Cup Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter or Mango Butter (flexible, use a combo of whatever you’d like)
1/3 Cup Beeswax
Instructions:
1. Fill a sauce pan with a few inches of water. Place a glass jar (I use an old mason jar) in the center of the water. Bring water around the jar to a gentle boil.
2. Add all ingredients to jar and stir to combine (I do this with a chopstick, or popsicle stick).
3. Pour melted lotion into molds.
4. Set aside and allow to cool (I typically put it in the fridge to cool faster!)
Peppermint Lotion Bar
Instructions:
1/3 Cup Coconut Oil
1/3 Cup Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter or Mango Butter (flexible, use a combo of whatever you’d like)
1/3 Cup Beeswax
10 Drops Peppermint Essential Oil
Optional: 1 Teaspoon Matcha
Instructions:
1. Fill a sauce pan with a few inches of water. Place a glass jar (I use an old mason jar) in the center of the water. Bring water around the jar to a gentle boil.
2. Add all ingredients except Peppermint Essential Oil to jar and stir to combine (I do this with a chopstick, or popsicle stick).
3. Once the jar has been removed from heat, add the Essential Oil and stir to combine.
4. Pour melted lotion into molds. (Side note, this is the perfect recipe for Christmas molds)
5. Set aside and allow to cool (I typically put it in the fridge to cool faster!)
Rose Lotion Bars, No Beeswax Lotion Bar
Instructions:
1/3 Cup Shea Butter
1/3 cup Cocoa Butter
1/3 cup Almond Meal
10 drop Rose Water
Instructions:
1. Fill a sauce pan with a few inches of water. Place a glass jar (I use an old mason jar) in the center of the water. Bring water around the jar to a gentle boil.
2. Add all ingredients except Rose Extract to jar and stir to combine (I do this with a chopstick, or popsicle stick).
3. Once the jar has been removed from heat, add the Rose Extract and stir to combine.
4. Pour melted lotion into molds.
5. Set aside and allow to cool (I typically put it in the fridge to cool faster!)
Lavender Lotion Bar
Ingredients:
1/3 Cup Coconut Oil
1/3 Cup Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter or Mango Butter (flexible, use a combo of whatever you’d like)
1/3 Cup Beeswax
10 Drops Lavender Essential Oil
Optional: 1 Tablespoon Dried Lavender
Instructions:
1. Fill a sauce pan with a few inches of water. Place a glass jar (I use an old mason jar) in the center of the water. Bring water around the jar to a gentle boil.
2. Add all ingredients except Lavender Essential Oil to jar and stir to combine (I do this with a chopstick, or popsicle stick).
3. Once the jar has been removed from heat, add the Essential Oil and stir to combine.
4. Pour melted lotion into molds.
5. Set aside and allow to cool (I typically put it in the fridge to cool faster!)
In Conclusion…
So excited you’ve joined us on the lotion bar train! Let us know in the comments below your favorite lotion bar recipe or any tweeks you made!
De Anna West Thompson
On the rose bar I can see bits of roses but the recipe doesn’t call for rose petals?? What else went into this bar?
Lindsey
Hi there!
I did add tiny bits of rose petals to the rose bars but didn’t love the way it felt when rubbing the bar on my skin (the rose petals were a tad too abrasive for me). Which is why I left them out of the recipe 🙂 if you’d like to add them I suggest using very small pieces.
Thanks! Hope you enjoy 🙂
De Anna West Thompson
Thanks for letting me know.
Tammie Cruz
I’m curious as to what the almond meal does in the lotion bars. Please explain.
Lindsey
Hi Tammie! I like adding almond meal as a gentle exfoliant, it also makes the lotion bars look prettier 🙂 Enjoy!
Yashvi
Hi there 🙂 I have a question related to the almond meal bar. How long do you suppose the bar will last / What is the shelf life?
Thanks!!
TC B
It’s been a while since I made lotion bars but I love them. I tried these using ground chai tea instead of cinnamon. Unfortunately, since cocoa butter has a strong chocolate smell, I couldn’t smell the chai. I can imagine it looks pretty though. I poured it in little metal tins woth screw tops and all the spices sunk to the bottom. What little bit I tested felt great, I just had to wash off the tea bits. Lol
Marianne Lykke Kjær
Hi,
I’ve been making my own products now for a couple of years and absolutely love it! I started out with beeswax and ran into some problems, so I switched to using shea butter (facial creams). I would love to try these lotion bars, and am wondering is soy wax could be just as effective in the bars as beeswax. Have you tried making them with soy wax?
All the best from
Marianne, Denmark
Lindsey
Hi Marianne! What problems were you having with Beeswax? I haven’t had any issues yet and haven’t tried soy wax but would love to! Thanks for the idea!
Marianne Lykke Kjær
Hi Lindsey,
I have previously used beeswax in a day creme with honey. The beeswax would turn into little beads. Not ideal. I made the bars using soy wax. But I find the bars melt too easily. I have to store them in the fridge. Upon use the quality is good, but I do not trust to keep them in my purse or in my heated bathroom. So maybe I should give the beeswax another try ?
Lindsey
Let me know if you find different results with beeswax! I typically put my lotion bars in a bag in my purse just incase 🙂
Jaimie Fenn
I use soy wax and just use a little more wax than the oils and butters. Sometimes i add just a tiny bit if beeswax..a small palm full. Melt everything on low in a double boiler. Ive never had a problem. I may start adding a little more to make them more solid or increase the soy to oil/butter ratio even more.
Lindsey
Great Idea! Thanks for sharing Jaimie! 🙂
maria
Hi Jamie. Soy wax is not very nutritious for your skin beeswax has healing properties it works so well. A little waxy but worth it. I don’t like to use palm oil it is not environmentally sound so I use shea cocoa and coconut
Tara Taylor
How many lotion bars does each recipe make?
Lindsey
Hi Tara! It depends on the size of the molds. I used square molds and made sets of 4. Hope you enjoy <3
Tara Taylor
Also I know you said bees wax isn’t necessary but will the lotion bars stay hard without it? Does something else need to be used In itsplace to keep it solid?
Lindsey
I prefer my lotion bars with beeswax so they stay together a little better. The Rose Lotion Bars above don’t use beeswax. I love these bars, but they are a little more sensitive to heat than the other bars. Try it out and see how it works with your climate and if you like it as much as the bars that call for beeswax!
Helena
Hello, love the recipes and would like to try some! Sadly I cant find any translater to grams. Would you be able to send them?
Lindsey
Hi Helena! Check out this handy site, it’s a great resource to help you convert! Hope you enjoy 🙂 https://www.thecalculatorsite.com/cooking/cups-grams.php
gillian blanchard
I’ve made some of these bars this morning but REALLY struggled with the measurements. My beeswax came in pellets so would be a totally different quantity to a grated version. The website you suggest for conversions doesn’t include beeswax or any of the body butters. My bars have been in the fridge to harden and they did but when left on the bench, became way to greasy. I may have used too much oil…??? Can you provide weights for your measurements please…??? That would be so helpful!!!
Bethany Timmons
Hi there! I am wanting to make these at a DIY party coming up, and I was wondering about how much one batch, with the proportions given above, makes? The party will likely have 15-20 people, so I want to make sure to plan for enough supplies for everyone to go home with one or two lotion bars. :]
Lindsey
Hi Bethany! Sounds like such a fun party idea! It really depends on the size of the mold you are pouring these into. I used a square mold and made them about 1.5″ thick which yielded 4 lotion bars per recipes. Hope you enjoy!
Paige
What’s the best way to store them? Or if im.selling or giving as gifts, what should the packaging be?
Thank you!
I’m looking forward to trying g your recipes.
Lindsey
Hey Paige! I like to store these in individual baggies. If you live in a warm area, stash them in the fridge. Enjoy!
Bethany Timmons
Where can one purchase straight cocoa butter?
Lindsey
Whoopsie, didn’t include the links in this, thanks for pointing that out! Here’s where I buy mine: http://amzn.to/2pdloVY
Rina Nileshe
Hello, i tried the lavender lotion bar and i’m not happy with the smell, it has a different (not that great) smell…can you please help me how to make it better?
Lindsey
Hi Rina! I’m sorry to hear you aren’t happy with the smell! What type of butter did you use? I suggest using Shea butter, the other butters may have a scent you don’t love? Beeswax has a sweet smell. Please let me know how I can help!
Ludi-vido Bruzzese
good morning, I tried the chocolat lotion and the peppermint one. It was very fun to do and they look good. I actually slit the proportion in half in order not to waste anything in case I don’t like them. My husband finds them too greasy but I have yet to try. My question is how can I store them? I have 6 bars total I could keep them in the fridge, but should I put them in paper? or wrap them in plastic? any advice would be very great. Thank you
Lindsey
Hi Ludi-vido! I’m glad you had fun making the bars! Yes, homemade lotions are definitely more greasy than store bought brands. As far as storage goes, it depends how hot it is where you live. I live in a mild climate so I’m able to store my lotion bars in a baggie and use them when needed. If it’s really hot, they may melt more and make a mess, in which case I’d suggest putting them in the fridge. Let me know how else I can help! Thanks!
Ludi-vido Bruzzese
Hi Lindsey. Thanks for the answer. We are in Wisconsin so in summer it is very hot. But inside our house the temperature is always comfortable. sorry for the dumb question, but what is a baggie?? what if I wrap them in plastic, like the kind you use to wrap food?
Annette Marron Holbrook
Looking forward to trying some of these. When you use matcha powder in soap it turns brown after a few days. Did your matcha bars remain green? I’m guessing as there is no lye in lotion bars that the color may hold but wanted to ask.
Lillie
Thanks you for all these recipes !
I have a question : could you just explain us what’s the strength / purpose of each recipe ?
Thanks !
Susan G
How could I incorporate Magnesium Chloride Flakes into lotion bars?
Lindsey
Hi Susan! I haven’t tried that so I wouldn’t know how to recommend you work these into the recipe! I would find a lotion bar recipe that uses this ingredient. Best of luck!?
Eshwari
Hi. I really like the idea of using my lotion in the form of a bar, but I think a roll on/lip balm kind of container could be more feasible to carry it in a purse. One problem is that I tried a DIY lip balm few months ago to which added rose petals, cinnamon powder and lavender buds; it made the container look very pretty but at the end it’s giving me a problem because these flowers stick to my hand and is messy sometimes, so how do you make them stay in place in your lotion bars?? Please help.
Lindsey
Hi Eshwari! Yes, if you add the rose petals, etc, they’ll come off onto your hands, that’s why I often make those as gifts (because they’re prettier) and make the other bars for myself. I always store the bars in a baggie in my purse so it doesn’t melt on other things. Hope this helps and enjoy! 🙂
Eshwari
Hi. I love the concept of a solid lotion bar, but I think a large size lip balm/roll on container would be helpful to put it in our purses!
I recently made a lip balm and added some rose petals, lavender buds and cinnamon powder to the container, so it would look pretty, but when it comes to the end, it’s very messy because these flowers and powder sticks to my hand while applying the balm. Any suggestions for this problem?
Krisite
If you got to Soap Queen she has recipes and links to her Brambleberry store that carry all natural handmade products and raw materials. I use Candelilla wax in my lotion bars and love the hardness I get from them I purchased my candellila wax from Majestic Mountain Sage, another natural supply warehouse. In my hometown!!
Lindsey
Awesome, thanks for sharing!
Antoinette
These recipes all sound fabulous! I’m looking for a bar or lotion recipe that that uses pine rosin. Am I missing it?
Thank you!
Antoinette
Lindsey
Hi Antoinette! We don’t have a recipe for that, but I hope you can modify one of these to work with pine rosin! Thanks!
Diane L Bingle
HI, I love your recipes for the lotion bars. I did use my own oil blend for mature skin in place of yours. One idea I had was I had extra lip balm tubes left over from lip balm I made so I poured some of the liquid into a few of those and also I purchased 2.5 oz deodorant containers and poured the liquid into those as well. I let them sit in a cool dark room for a day. I took the small tube and twisted it up and applied the lotion to my knees and elbows and it works perfect. The deodorant containers will be even better. I use these on my face now instead of moisturizing creams. With the waxy feeling I spritz my face with rosewater and rub it around very lightly and the waxy feeling goes away. A warm damp cloth and a little dabbing on the areas works also. I bought all my materials on Amazon pretty inexpensively. Also for me I got 2- 2.5 ounce deodorant tubes and 5 lip balm tubes from your recipe. Gift ideas!!!
Lindsey
Great ideas!!! Happy you enjoyed!
Anna
Hi there, thanks for sharing your recipes. I made the lavender one and it’s really lovely. I’d like to make some to share with my friend but she is allergic to Coconut oil. Are you able to suggest an alternative for the recipe?
Lindsey
Hi Anna! You could try shea butter? Hope you enjoy!
Cat
Hi,
You mention using beeswax pellets. Would the measurement be the same?
Thanks!
Lindsey
Hi Cat! Yes they would. Enjoy!
Lisa
Hey I noticed on the rose almond bar ingredient list, you put rose WATER and in the instructions, rose EXTRACT. I’m sure it was a typo, but can be problematic if someone uses rose water. Just a heads up.
Lindsey
Thanks for letting us know Lisa, happy you caught that!
Dawn
Have you worked with solid melt and pour gots milk in a lotion bar? I have searched endlessly for a recipe but have only found one that uses goats milk power and required preservatives. I’m not even sure where to go that would be able to help. I absolutely love the lotion bars I’ve made so far – lavender and one with a few drops each of lemon essential oil and a tangerine oil. The scents are very subtle but masked by the strong scent of the cocoa butter ? If you have any ideas I would love to hear them.
Lindsey
Hey Dawn! I have not tested goats milk in a lotion bar — I actually have never seen melt and pour goats milk that doesn’t have saponifying agents added?