There are so many different types of lotions and moisturizers out there! This new one I've been trying out is not your standard liquid squeeze-bottle type lotion though. Instead, this lotion is actually solid and in the shape of a bar!
Solid lotions are beneficial for a variety of reasons. One, if you travel a lot you don't have to worry about whether or not you are over the three ounce limit on your liquid lotion - it's a solid bar! Camping is also super easy because it can't spill all over your backpack and make a mess. Also, solid lotion bars are super great gifts for people's birthdays, Christmas, Valentine's Day, or just as a special surprise! Because they take the shape of their mold, you can easily make them into holiday themed shapes, hearts, stars, and more!
Get Your Ingredients
For this recipe you will need coconut oil, shea butter, beeswax, and any essential oils you like. Here in Portland, I get all of these in bulk from Frigg's Mercantile. She even gives you a discount for every container you bring in! If you can't find these products in bulk near you, check the beauty section for glass containers or recyclable tubs.
You'll also need to get a mold for the mixture. You can easily find silicone molds online, but also post in your local Buy Nothing Group to see if anyone has an extra one! If there is a local soap making shop or beauty product store near you, they often have molds available for purchase or to borrow as well.
Mix and Melt
To make your lotion bars, simply melt all of the ingredients together in a pot on the stove or double broiler. Once fully melted and mixed together, pour the liquid into the molds. All you have to do now is wait about 30-60 minutes until they've fully set up!
Your bars can be stored on a soap dish in your bathroom, a wooden box, or small basket. To use them, simply rub the bar between your hands to warm it up! You can then rub it all over any dry spots on the rest of your body. Because of the high ratio of beeswax, this bar isn't going to become straight liquid in the summer. But it will become softer in the heat and you should avoid sticking it in direct sunlight.
Peppermint Lotion Bars
Ingredients:
1 part coconut oil
1 part shea butter
2 parts beeswax
essential oils
Instructions:
1. Measure out the coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax as directed (e.g. 1 Tbsp coconut oil, 1 Tbsp shea butter, 2 Tbsp beeswax).
2. Essential oil can be added based on a maximum ratio of 8 drops per tablespoon of liquid. For example, if you follow the recipe given above and made 4 tablespoons of mixture total, a maximum of 32 drops should be added to keep the essential oil dilution at under 2%. Increase or decrease the essential oil depending on the quantity you make.
3. Pour the melted liquid into your mold.
4. Let sit for 30-60 minutes until solid. Take out and use as desired!