Today I am sharing one of my favourite DIY’s – essential oil lotion bars.
They are great for stressed skin during winter months and make a beautiful hand-made gift for a friend, teacher or family member.
Plus the blend of lavender, litsea and geranium essential oils that I’m using today smells absolutely divine.
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So, what’s a lotion bar?
Lotion bars contain all the good things you might find in a hand or body lotion – moisturizing shea butter and skin-hydrating oils – mixed with beeswax to make it solid enough to be shaped into a bar.
To use, just hold in your hand until your body heat begins to warm up the bar, and then rub on your skin where needed. I store mine in a cute little metal canister so I can pop it in my handbag or bedside table drawer.
Why add the essential oils?
Did you know that there are many essential oils that are incredibly beneficial to the skin? I’ve chosen to add Lavender, Litsea & Geranium essential oils to my lotion bars not just because together they smell heavenly (because they do – the scent of these lotion bars is AH-mazing!), but because they each benefit the skin in a different way.
Lavender essential oil is incredibly soothing to the skin.
Litsea (aka May Chang) essential oil reduces the appearance of blemishes.
Geranium essential oil promotes the appearance of clear, healthy looking skin.
These essential oils come together with the other ingredients to create a deeply moisturizing lotion bar. These lotion bars are best for areas that require heavy moisturization such as heels, elbows and dry winter skin. They can leave a heavy residue on the skin and I find it best to use mine just before bed so I don’t have slimy hands during the day.
How to Make Essential Oil Lotion Bars
Ingredients
- 25g Shea Butter
- 20g Beeswax Pellets
- 35g Refined Coconut Oil (has a reduced coconut smell)
- 10 drops Geranium Essential Oil
- 10 drops Litsea Essential Oil
- 20 drops Lavender Essential Oil
- 40 drops Rosehip Oil (optional)
- 4 Silicone Moulds (approx 2in/5cm wide)
Method
Add the beeswax, coconut oil and shea butter to a glass jar or jug and set in a small saucepan full of water, or a microwave (NB once a jar or jug has been used to make lotion bars it should never again be used to prepare or hold food). Melt slowly over low heat. Once it has melted, set aside to cool for two to three minutes before adding the essential oils and Rosehip oil. Stir well and pour into mould.
To ensure your lotion bars are identical, use a kitchen scale to weigh out equal amounts of liquid into each mould section. Allow to cool at room temperature (takes 20 – 30 minutes) then remove from mould. Set aside to set for a further 24 hours.
Makes approx 4 bars.
Cleaning Up
As soon as you have poured your bars into their moulds, wipe the remainder of the mixture out of your jug with a paper towel. Do not pour any excess down the sink or put a jug covered in a large amount of residue in the dishwasher as it may clog your pipes. Once you have wiped your jug clean, bin the paper towels and put the jug in the dishwasher for a final clean.
A quiet corner of the garden is also a good idea if you have a large amount left-over.
Enjoy!
