Simple Ingredients, Soothing Results
If you’ve never made lotion bars before, let me tell you—they’re one of the easiest and most satisfying things to whip up in the homestead kitchen. These little bars are perfect for dry hands, cracked heels, or keeping in your bag for everyday use. I love knowing exactly what’s in them, and they make the sweetest little gifts too!
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The Basic Recipe
This is my go-to ratio for lotion bars. It’s easy to remember and even easier to scale up or down depending on how many you want to make.
- 1 part coconut oil
- 1 part shea butter
- 1 part beeswax
You can measure by weight or volume—just keep it equal. I usually use 1/2 cup of each for a batch, but feel free to adjust!
Optional Add-Ins
Once you’ve got your base, you can customize it with a few extras:
- Vitamin E oil (a few drops for skin-loving benefits and to help extend shelf life)
- Essential oils (like lavender, peppermint, or citrus—just 10–15 drops per batch is plenty)
- Dried herbs (like calendula or chamomile—just make sure they’re well-dried and used in moderation)
- Mica powder (for a natural shimmer)
- Oats or ground lavender (for texture and gentle exfoliation)
- Menthol crystals or eucalyptus (for a soothing, sinus-clearing bar—great for colds!)
Equipment List
Basic Tools:
- Double boiler (or a heat-safe glass bowl over a saucepan with simmering water)
- Wooden spoon or silicone spatula (for stirring)
- Measuring cups or kitchen scale (depending on whether you’re measuring by volume or weight)
- Small funnel or pouring cup (makes pouring easier, especially for small molds)
Molds & Storage:
- Silicone molds (I use honeybee/honey comb, flower shapes, bars, or hearts—anything flexible for easy removal)
→ Muffin tins with cupcake liners work in a pinch! - Tins, jars, or reusable containers (if not using molds or for gift packaging)
Optional But Helpful:
- Small dropper (for adding essential oils or vitamin E oil)
- Grater or knife (if using beeswax blocks instead of pellets)
- Paper towels (for quick cleanup—beeswax can get messy!)
- Label maker or printable labels (especially if you’re gifting or selling)
How to Make Them
- Melt your ingredients
In a double boiler (or a glass bowl over a simmering pot of water), melt the coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax together slowly, stirring as you go. - Add extras
Once everything is melted and smooth, remove from heat and stir in any vitamin E or essential oils. - Pour into molds
Carefully pour into silicone molds or metal tins. I like to use honeybee and honeycomb molds, but you can use muffin tins with cupcake liners in a pinch. - Let cool completely
Once they’ve set (a few hours at room temp or quicker in the fridge), pop them out and store in a cool, dry place.
A Few Favorite Combos:
Lavender + Chamomile – Calming and kid-friendly
Citrus + Calendula – Bright and sunny
Peppermint + Eucalyptus – Cooling and great for tired feet
Vanilla + Rose Petal Powder – Soft and feminine
These bars last a long time and can be rubbed right onto dry skin—the warmth of your hand softens just enough of the bar to moisturize. I keep one in the bathroom, one by the kitchen sink, and one in my purse. And every time I use one, I’m reminded how simple homemade can be just as lovely (and even more nourishing!) than anything you’d find in a store.
Let me know if you try it, and I’d love to hear what scents or add-ins you use!