The Easiest Homemade Lotion Bars with Essential Oils

Learn how to make the easiest homemade lotion bars with essential oils. These bars are perfect for everyone in the family and make a perfect handmade gift. 

I have had several requests for a lotion bar recipe, that was simple to make. Sharing several of the ingredients with my whipped body butter, I came up with these homemade lotion bars that are made with all-natural ingredients and are very soothing and nourishing to the skin. 

I love how these lotion bars make it easy to use natural products.  They keep their shape with the added beeswax, but they melt slightly and soothe dry, cracked skin when rubbed on warm skin.

Perfect for the cold winter months and can be used in the summertime after being out in the sun for extended periods of time. Find relief from dry, scratchy skin in areas like knees, elbows, feet, and hands.

HOMEMADE LOTION BARS VIDEO TUTORIAL 

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HOMEMADE LOTION BARS INGREDIENTS 

• 1 cup of coconut oil
• 1 cup cocoa butter or shea butter (or you can use a combination of the two)
• 1 cup beeswax 
• 15-30 drops of essential oils (optional)
• Silicon molds or metal tins

HOMEMADE LOTION BARS INSTRUCTIONS 

1. Melt all the ingredients, except the essential oils, in a double boiler.  You can make your own double boiler by placing a glass bowl over a medium-size saucepan.
2. Bring the water to a boil until the ingredients are melted.
3. Once ingredients are melted, remove the bowl from the heat.  
4. Let mixture cool slightly and then stir in essential oils.
5. Pour the mixture into silicon molds or metal tins.
6. Allow the mixture to cool completely, then pop the bars out of the molds.
7. Store in an airtight container for up to one year.

LOTION BAR NOTES

• This recipe calls for equal parts of each ingredient used, besides the essential oils. You can easily cut this recipe in half or double it to make a larger batch.
• Get creative with the types of mold you decide to use!  If you are making these for Christmas gifts, you can use Christmas molds and make these bars in the shape of snowmen or snowflakes.  Use heart-shaped molds for Valentine’s day.
• If making in silicone molds, store the molds in an airtight container after popping them out of the molds. They will last for up to a year.
• Store out of direct sunlight and in a cool room. If your house is above 75 degrees, the bars can melt and should be stored in the refrigerator.

HOW TO USE HOMEMADE LOTION BARS 

Rub the lotion bar directly onto the skin. When you rub it on the warm skin, it will melt slightly, making it easy to apply. 

BEST ESSENTIAL OIL BLENDS FOR HOMEMADE LOTION BARS

Frankincense + Yarrow Pom + Rose

Lavender + Roman Chamomile

Frankincense + Melaleuca + Lavender

Lemongrass + Cedarwood

BENEFITS OF HOMEMADE LOTION 

COCONUT OIL

• The hype around coconut oil these days is for a good reason.  You can use it in the kitchen, on your skin, face, in your hair, and the list goes on.
• Coconut oil is a natural antibacterial, anti-fungal, and excellent moisturizer for dry skin.

COCOA BUTTER

• Fair warning:  It makes the lotion smell like chocolate, and you may be tempted to eat it!  (Don’t worry, cocoa butter is edible and used to make delicate chocolates.)
• Cocoa butter is the fat that comes from cocoa beans, and it smells absolutely delicious, in my opinion.   Cocoa butter naturally moisturizes the skin and heals dry, chapped skin.

BEESWAX

• This ingredient is essential in fighting against chapped or dry skin with its antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. It forms a protective wall by sealing moisture in the skin without clogging up the pores.
• You’ll find beeswax in many skincare products, including body creams and soothing lotion bars.

ESSENTIAL OILS

• Several essentials oils can do wonders for skin imperfections as well as having many healing properties.
•  I personally like using frankincense and lavender in my lotion bars because of the soothing properties these oils have for the skin.
• See more information on each essential oil below.

FRANKINCENSE

• Frankincense is incredible for the skin and can be used as a daily moisturizer. It can reduce blemishes, fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots.
• Frankincense has rejuvenating properties for the skin and is good for dry, flaky skin.  Use this essential oil when the skin is dry or cracked.

YARROW POM

• Provides powerful antioxidant support; main constituents include Punicic acid, β-caryophyllene, chamazulene.
• Yarrow can shrink the skin and promotes healthy skin, especially great for wounds or scars.
• Yarrow is a powerful natural astringent (a substance that causes the contraction of body tissues, typically used to protect the skin and to reduce bleeding from minor abrasions).
• The yarrow plant is an effective natural cicatrisant, which means that it helps to increase blood stimulation and allows the skin cells to regenerate faster.

ROSE

• Rose essential oil has the ability to regenerate the skin, reduce scars, and help the skin regain natural color and tone.
• Studies have shown that even scars that were over 20 years old showed improvement after using rose topically on the area of concern.
• Roses are high in vitamin C and encourages your body to produce more collagen.
• It is very balancing and nourishing for the skin.

LAVENDER

• Lavender reduces the appearance of skin imperfections, and it can soothe occasional skin irritations.
• It can also help soothe and heal burns, making it a great essential oil to add into the lotion bar if using during the summer after extended periods of sun exposure.
• Lavender is a very soothing and relaxing oil that can calm the nervous system.  Add this into the lotion bar and use it before bed, especially on kids, to help wind down and promote a healthy night’s sleep.

ROMAN CHAMOMILE

• Another essential oil that has incredible properties for the skin is Roman chamomile. This floral oil is gentle and a great option if making this for a baby or child.
• Roman chamomile pairs well with lavender and together make a calming lotion bar that can be used as part of the bedtime routine.

MELALEUCA

• With its antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antiviral properties, Melaleuca is a perfect essential oil for the skin.
• The melaleuca oil makes this lotion bar effective for things such as yeast, fungal infection, and discolored nails.
• Apply topically to the area of concern until the problem is resolved.

LEMONGRASS AND CEDARWOOD

• These two essential oils will make a perfect blend if you are making the homemade lotion bars for a man.
• Lemongrass and cedarwood essential oil give the lotion a woodsy citrus scent perfect for men.
• Both these oils are actually great not only for skin, but hair as well.

If you enjoyed this recipe, check out these below!  In the meantime, make a few extra bars for the perfect stocking stuffer or birthday gift.

• Non-Greasy Shea Butter Lotion
• Baby Lotion
• Bug Repellent Lotion Bars

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 PRINT THE HOMEMADE LOTION BARS RECIPE

Homemade Lotion Bars

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The perfect lotion bar recipe for anyone with dry, cracked skin.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Additional Time 4 hours

Total Time 4 hours 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup coconut oil
• 1 cup cocoa butter or shea butter
• 1 cup beeswax
• 15-30 drops essential oil (optional)

Instructions

1. Melt all the ingredients except essential oils in a double boiler. You can make your own double boiler by placing a glass bowl over a medium-size saucepan.
2. Bring the water to a boil until all the ingredients are melted. 
3. Remove the bowl from the heat and let cool slightly.
4. Stir in essential oils. 
5. Pour the mixture into silicon molds or metal salve tins, whatever you prefer to use.
6. Let the mixture cool completely and then pop the bars out of the molds.
7. Store in an airtight container for up to one year.