A lotion bar is a solid lotion that resembles a bar of soap. It is solid at room temperature, but begins to melt when warmed by body heat from your hands. The moisturizing elements can be ingredients like cocoa butter, shea butter, beeswax, or avocado oil. Bars can also be scented with fragrance or essential oils.

This simple recipe calls for 3 ingredients: cocoa butter, beeswax, and coconut oil. All ingredients supplied in the kits available at the library are food and cosmetic grade. Because it can be dangerous to heat beeswax in the microwave, the instructions included are for stove-top preparation.

This chemical-free and alcohol-free recipe is great for keeping skin hydrated during the dry winter. To apply, warm the lotion bar between your hands. Once it starts to melt with your body heat, you can spread the moisturizer where you need it (hands, elbows, etc.).

Supplies Included in Kit:

  • 1 oz. Cacao Butter
  • 1 oz. Beeswax*
  • 1 oz. Virgin Coconut Oil

Enough to make 2 lotion bars

  • 2 Silicone Molds
  • 1 Small Storage Tin
  • 1 Small Zip-top Storage Bag

Keep ingredients away from heat until ready to make bars.

*Caution: Do NOT melt beeswax in the microwave. The high melting point of beeswax can produce dangerous conditions when beeswax is heated in the microwave.

Additional Tools Needed:

  • 1 Double Boiler*
  • 1 Stirring tool (bamboo skewer, heat-safe spatula, or spoon)
  • 1 Oven Mitt

*If you don’t have a double boiler, you can substitute two small saucepans (one slightly smaller than the other) or a saucepan paired with a glass or stainless steel bowl that can be set in the opening of the saucepan without touching the bottom. Pictured is a 1 quart glass mixing bowl with a 1 ½ quart saucepan. 

Instructions:

  1. Fill the bottom of the double boiler (or saucepan) with about 1 inch of water and heat with the top (or mixing bowl) in place, so that the water is simmering.
  2. Add the beeswax pellets to the top portion of the double boiler and heat, stirring occasionally to facilitate melting.
  3. Add cocoa butter pellets to the melted beeswax and continue heating.
  4. Add coconut oil to the melted beeswax and cocoa butter and continue heating.
  5. When all ingredients are melted thoroughly, carefully pour mixture, dividing evenly between two silicone molds. Use oven mitt for hot items. Use a small plate under the silicone molds to reduce mess and aid in moving molds to the refrigerator.
  6. Allow the mixture to cool completely either at room temperature or about 1 hour in the refrigerator.
  7. When the bars are cooled completely, remove them from the molds.

One lotion bar can be stored in the tin provided when not in use to keep it lint-free. The other can be placed back in the silicone mold and stored in the small zip-top storage bag. Store lotion bars away from heat.

– Melissa, Reference Assistant