Natural Skincare Made Easy: How to Make Your Own Lotion Bars
Lotion bars are moisturizers in solid form. They look like soap, staying solid at room temperature, but when they are applied to the warm skin, the lotion melts, leaving your skin soft, scented, and moisturized.
Many people prefer lotion bars because they make less mess when you apply them. Liquid lotions also need lots of packaging to keep them contained, which leaves an environmental footprint.
In contrast, solid lotion bars are a form of natural skincare that can sit in a tin or on a dish until you need them.
The Health Benefits of Natural Skincare
Natural lotion bars are made from natural ingredients that cut out the need for parabens and chemicals.
Parabens are preservatives used to stop fungal and bacterial growth. They’ve been used for decades in beauty products to enhance the shelf life, but there’s controversy because some studies have revealed parabens in breast cancer samples.
Parabens have also been found in the environment, contributing to the destruction of our coral reefs and ocean life.
Alongside parabens, chemicals in beauty products can cause allergies, such as dermatitis.
There’s no specific legislation preventing manufacturers from adding chemicals to beauty products, and it’s almost unregulated.
This means your beauty products could be full of chemicals that are potentially disruptive to your body and to the environment.
In contrast, DIY natural remedies contain very few ingredients—and you control what they contain. Some versions are so gentle you can apply them to babies’ skin.
Natural lotion bars are a simple addition to your skincare routine.
RELATED: Simple Beauty Routines To Heal and Nourish Your Skin
How Natural Essential Oils Boost Your Health
Natural lotion bars are made with a base of cocoa butter, shea butter, and oil.
This is enough to moisturize your skin naturally, but when you add essential oils and natural ingredients, you bring some magic to the mix.
Here are some of the best essential oils to put in your lotion bar.
Rose
Rose essential oil has been used for centuries. As well as its beautiful scent, it can improve acne and rosacea, soothe depression, and increase your libido—woo!
Vanilla
Who doesn’t love the sweet, warming scent of vanilla? Studies have shown it’s an antioxidant, can help with depression, and has a relaxing, sedative effect on stressed folks.
Lavender
Universally known to relieve anxiety, lavender is one of the most commonly used essential oils for stress relief.
It beats tension, worries, and nervousness and has the ability to relieve pain and enhance blood circulation.
Before antibiotics were readily available, lavender was used as an antifungal, antiseptic, and antibiotic treatment.
RELATED: Three Essential Oils For Your Home First Aid Kit
Chamomile
Chamomile and other plants from the daisy family are excellent for improving skin. They soothe inflammation, acne, and blemishes and calm diaper rash.
Chamomile also boosts your mood, helping you to de-stress and sleep after a hard day.
Grapefruit
Grapefruit essential oil stimulates your brain. It wakes you up and clears away fog whilst banishing anxiety. We all need grapefruit essential oil on sluggish days to help us focus.
Another great effect of grapefruit essential oil is that it curbs sugar cravings.
If you’re on a diet, a grapefruit lotion bar rubbed on your hands can really help reduce your cravings.
Peppermint
Peppermint essential oil helps ease anxiety but without the sedative effects of others like lavender and vanilla.
It’s a great preparation for nerves and big presentations to the boss, as it dampens down butterflies but focuses your brain power.
Peppermint also cools you down if you’re feeling the heat and relaxes aching muscles.
Frankincense
The warming essential oil frankincense was made famous by the Bible—and for good reason.
It’s great for soothing stress and was traditionally used as antiseptic for cuts, balancing hormones after childbirth, and in treatments for breathing difficulties.
It’s the perfect essential oil for a pampering session. The three wise men thought this one through.
Ginger
Ginger is stimulating and comforting at the same time.
You may have used it as an anti-nausea remedy, and it works just as well as a solid lotion bar.
Rub it into your hands if you feel carsick or you have morning sickness. It works a treat with no medicines to swallow.
Lemon or Mandarin
Citrus essential oils have an uplifting scent that clears your mind of stress and focuses your brain power on the task at hand.
They’re also great on small cuts, as citrus is mildly antiseptic.
If you rub a lotion bar infused with lemon or mandarin on aching legs, you’ll find it soothes and relaxes. So versatile—another essential.
How to Make DIY Lotion Bars
So now that you’ve heard about all the health benefits of essential oils, you want to know how to make your own lotion bar.
Fortunately, it’s one of the simplest hobbies around.
Lotion Bar Base Mix
All natural skincare lotion bars are made with this base recipe. You need to choose which oil you prefer—coconut oil is very popular.
- Put a saucepan on the stove and gently boil some water
- Place a bowl over the water
- Add 1 tablespoon of shea butter
- Add 5 tablespoons of cocoa butter
- Add 2 tablespoons of oil, such as coconut, safflower, or argan
- Gently melt them into a clear liquid
- Pour into wax molds, such as heart-shaped cupcake molds or whichever you prefer
RELATED: 50 Coconut Oil Uses: From Household To Beauty
Now for the interesting bit:
- Add your essential oils and natural ingredients
- Stir them gently
- Pop them into the fridge to set
Let the lotion bar completely set before you try to remove it. It’s best to leave it for at least 24 hours.
When it comes to packaging, solid lotion bars need barely anything. Pop one in a metal tin if you’re out and about, or leave it on a small dish in your bathroom out of direct light.
Here Are the Six Best DIY Lotion Bar Recipes
1. Pain Relief Lotion Bar
This lotion bar soothes bruises, cuts, and sore muscles.
If you’ve been attacked by mosquitoes or played a contact sport, this is the perfect way to soothe your skin.
- Make the base as above
- Add 1 tablespoon of menthol crystals
- Add 10 drops peppermint essential oil
- Add 5 drops of arnica oil for bruising, tea tree for cuts, or zinc oxide for a rash
- Set in the fridge
2. Insect Repellent Lotion Bars
Keep the mosquitoes and biting insects away without chemical-laden DEET or fire-hazard candles.
- Make the base as above
- Add a drop of rosemary oil
- Add a drop of mint oil
- Add a drop of lemon oil
- Add a drop of lavender oil
- Optional: Some people like to add cinnamon powder and dried herbs such as thyme or clove too. Mix and match—see what you like best.
- Set in the fridge
3. Warming Christmas Lotion Bars
Gold, frankincense, and myrrh lotion bars are great gift ideas and bring the festive mood.
- Make the base as above
- Add 5 drops of frankincense oil
- Add 5 drops of myrrh oil
- Optional: add some gold mica powder for the full set!
- Set in the fridge
4. Anxiety-Relieving Lavender Lotion Bar
So soothing and relaxing, this lotion bar helps if you’re having a stressful time.
- Make the base as above
- Add 5 drops of lavender oil
- Optional: add lavender flowers
- Set in the fridge
5. Perky Peppermint Lotion Bar
Perk up your day! Peppermint lotions bars are a great gift idea for someone taking exams.
- Make the base as above
- Add five drops of peppermint essential oil
- Set in the fridge
6. Skin-Enhancing Rose Lotion Bar
Improve the texture of your skin and soothe anxiety with a blushing rose.
- Make the base as above
- Add five drops of rose essential oil
- Optional: add rose petals
- Set in the fridge
If you want an extra-moisturizing lotion bar, add a few drops of argan oil to any of the above recipes, or if you fancy an exfoliating lotion bar, add a tablespoon of Himalayan sea salt.
Lotion Bars Are Natural Skincare Made Easy
Making your own lotion bar is so simple, and you control the ingredients. When you compare them to greasy, chemical-laden store-bought stuff, it’s no contest.
The first time might be a bit messy, but once you have the hang of it there’s no stopping you. Homemade lotion bars are great gifts and bring numerous health benefits.
What are you waiting for?
Sources:
- https://wellnessmama.com/4770/lotion-bars/
- https://thenerdyfarmwife.com/daisy-lotion-bars/
- https://www.justthewoods.com/diy-lotion-bar-recipe-essential-oils/
- https://www.facebook.com/buzzfeednifty/videos/diy-lotion-bars/2021940921393963/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16579728
