Easy Homemade Lotion Bars with Essential Oils: A Simple DIY

I've been there, struggling with dry, itchy skin on the whole family, especially during those harsh winter months. I tried every store-bought lotion, but nothing seemed to truly soothe and nourish their skin. That's when I decided to try my hand at making my own.

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These homemade lotion bars are a game-changer! They're incredibly easy to whip up – seriously, less than 30 minutes – and packed with nourishing ingredients like [mention specific ingredients, e.g., shea butter, coconut oil]. Plus, they make the perfect little gifts for friends and family.

I even shared some of the ingredients with my beloved homemade whipped body butter recipe (you know the one!). These bars melt beautifully onto your skin, providing instant relief for those dry patches on knees, elbows, and hands. And let's not forget those summer days – they're amazing after a long day in the sun.

Trust me, once you try these, you'll never go back to store-bought lotions again! They're gentle on everyone's skin and feel so much better than anything I've ever found in a store. Let me know if you're ready to give them a try – I'm sure you'll love them as much as we do.

Why you'll absolutely LOVE these lotion bars:

• They're ridiculously easy to make! Melt the ingredients together, pour them into molds, and voila! You've got a big batch of these amazing little guys ready in no time.
• Get creative! This recipe is a blank canvas. Experiment with different essential oil blends to find your favorite scents. And don't be afraid to get playful with the molds – heart shapes for Valentine's Day, stars for the kids, you name it!
• The perfect gift (or a treat for yourself!). Nourishing, homemade lotion is something everyone can appreciate. These bars are beautiful to wrap and make such thoughtful gifts for friends and family. (But let's be honest, you'll probably want to hoard a few for yourself!)
• Your skin will thank you! With simple, natural ingredients, these lotion bars are a real treat for your skin. I'm always amazed at how soft and silky my hands feel after using them.
• Perfect for life on the go. No more messy spills in your purse! These little guys are compact and travel-friendly. I always pack a few in my suitcase along with my homemade shampoo bar, conditioner bar, and facial soap bar. It's the ultimate travel kit!

What goes into these magical lotion bars:

• Coconut oil: There’s a reason I use coconut oil in so many of my favorite skincare recipes! It is nourishing, soothing, and highly moisturizing. Be sure to use regular coconut oil, not fractionated coconut oil.
• Cocoa butter or shea butter: Cocoa butter will make firmer bars while shea butter will produce slightly softer bars. You can use a combination of the two if you prefer.
• Beeswax: Wax is essential for the bars to hold their shape. I use pellets rather than a block because they melt much more easily.
• Essential oils: These are optional, but they make your lotion smell amazing! Use any of your favorite essential oils, or check out my suggested, click on the blue words!
• Silicone molds or metal tins

Here's how to make these amazing lotion bars:

Step 1: Get melting! Combine all of your ingredients, except for the essential oils, in a double boiler or a glass bowl set over a pot of simmering water.

Step 2: Watch the magic happen! Let the heat gently melt everything together. Once it's all smooth and combined, take that bowl off the heat.

Step 3: Time for the good stuff! Let the mixture cool down a bit, then add your favorite essential oils. Stir it all up and get ready for that amazing scent!

Step 4: Pour it up! Carefully pour the mixture into your molds. Silicone molds are my go-to, but you can use those cute little metal tins too.

Step 5: Patience is a virtue (almost done!). Let those bars cool completely. Then, gently pop them out of the molds.

And there you have it! Your very own homemade lotion bars. Store them in an airtight container and enjoy that soft, silky skin!

Best essential oil blends for lotion bars

These are just a few of my favorite essential oil blends for lotion bars, homemade body cream, and even my pumpable lotion.

The best part about making your own lotion bars is that you're the boss! You get to choose exactly what goes into them, including the scent. So get creative and experiment with different essential oils to find the perfect blend for you. Lavender is super relaxing, citrus is invigorating, and there are endless possibilities!

• Frankincense + Yarrow Pom + Rose
• Lavender + Roman Chamomile
• Frankincense + Melaleuca + Lavender
• Lemongrass + Cedarwood

Expert tips

• I've included measurements both by weight and volume, but trust me, weighing your ingredients is the way to go for the best results. If you don't have a scale, don't worry! I've included a helpful video below that shows you how to measure by volume.

• Now, let's have some fun with the molds! Christmas is coming up? Get those festive molds out and make some adorable snowman or snowflake-shaped lotion bars. Valentine's Day is around the corner? Heart-shaped bars are the perfect way to show some love.

• If you're using silicone molds, store your finished lotion bars in an airtight container to keep them fresh. They'll last for about a year, so you can enjoy them all year long.

• Just a friendly reminder: keep them away from direct sunlight and store them in a cool place. If your house gets too warm (above 78 degrees), those bars might start to melt. In that case, pop them in the fridge to keep them happy.

Instructions

• Melting time! We're going to melt all of our ingredients together, except for those lovely essential oils. You can use a double boiler, or get creative and make your own by placing a glass bowl over a saucepan of simmering water.
• Watch it melt! Bring the water to a boil and let the magic happen. Keep an eye on it until every last bit of those wonderful ingredients is melted.
• Cool down a bit! Once everything is melted, remove the bowl from the heat and let the mixture cool down slightly.
• Time for the scent-sational part! Stir in those delicious essential oils.
• Pour it up! Now, the fun part! Pour the mixture into your molds. I love using silicone molds, but those cute little metal salve tins work great too.
• Patience is a virtue! Let those bars cool completely. Then, gently pop them out of the molds.
• And there you have it! Your very own homemade lotion bars. Store them in an airtight container and enjoy that soft, silky skin! 

Notes

• This recipe makes about 10-15 bars, depending on the size of your molds. Have fun with it!
• Keep your lotion bars happy by storing them in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight. If your house gets too warm (above 78 degrees), those little guys might start to melt. Pop them in the fridge to keep them cool and happy.
• Don't worry if you don't have cocoa butter on hand! You can use shea butter instead. The bars might be a little softer, but they'll still be just as amazing!

I am not a nutritionalist. Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

This recipe is for your own viewing pleasure and is not meant for healing purposes. Readers must perform their own research and tests before making any recipe.

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