DIY recipe for lotion bars with beeswax (2024)

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This easy DIY recipe for lotion bars is a perfect way to help skin stay moisturized and it makes a great gift too!

When we moved to the farm I wanted to start living more sustainably and eco-friendly. There have been a few ways we’ve done that out in the garden with compost and by using natural and eco-friendly repellents, but going forward I really want to focus on home and beauty solutions too.

I’ve started adding a few things to our list of make at home products like this Goat’s Milk Soap and this and creating a recipe for lotion bars that I love was next on the list.

I’m a firm believer in the fact that sometimes small things can have big impacts when it comes to the environment or even the health of your body. Even when you’re looking to make something like a simple recipe for lotion bars, I believe it makes a difference.

What is a lotion bar?

A lotion bar is essentially solid lotion. The bar stays solid when kept at room temperature or below. It can be used anywhere on your body and the heat from your body essentially melts the bar, which moisturizes your skin. It looks a lot like a bar of soap but doesn’t specifically cleanse the body.

They’re concentrated moisturizers that don’t have any water added to take up space and dilute the oils and butters that nourish your skin.

Why use lotion bars?

My favorite reasons for using lotion bars is that they are more environmentally friendly and made from natural ingredients.

Because the bars are self-contained, you typically don’t need plastic for lotion bars like you would regular lotion. In fact, I use {THERE} cute, reusable tins to store my lotion bars.

Also, since they are made with natural ingredients, there is a low impact on the planet when creating lotion bars. And, there is essentially no waste because you can use every bit of the product.

How to use a lotion bar

While you can take a lotion bar with you in your purse and technically use anytime, the best time to use a lotion bar is just after you shower or bath. After being in a steamy shower or warm bath, your bores will be open and this will allow the lotion to penetrate your skin best. It also helps to seal it in and then protect it throughout the day.

You can also rub it on just a single spot that might need some extra moisture (Hello, elbows!) or rub it all over your body.

You will get about 8 to 10 uses from one lotion bar. More if you decide to use it throughout the day instead of in the shower when it will react to the heat of your skin more.

Afterwards, you can use the tin that it comes in for another lotion bar or you can make a candle out of it.

What’s in a recipe for lotion bars?

Lotion bars are typically made with some kind of butter – like shea or jojoba – or beeswax. I like beeswax because it helps to deliver hardness to the bar overall while also providing some benefits for your skin.

Benefits of beeswax in a recipe for lotion bars

Like honey, beeswax is a humectant meaning that it attracts water. It also helps create a protective layer on the skin. It’s also a natural exfoliator and has anti-inflammatory properties. Lastly, it also include Vitamin A, which can help reduce age spots, scars and help with collagen too.

Adding in a butter

Additionally, I’ve added mango butter in my recipe for lotion bars. You want to use some kind of butter to provide the moisture and I like mango. It’s similar to cocoa butter in terms of providing moisture but it also contains Vitamin E and Vitamin C. This means it can help protect your skin from environmental factors including sunlight, pollution and even blue light, according to WebMD. It also includes Vitamin A so you’re getting even more help when it comes to those fine lines and skin spots.

My favorite ingredient – in everything

The last MAIN ingredient I’ve included is olive oil. I’m a sucker for olive oil in my food and in my beauty products. It has a lot of vitamins including A, D, K and E.

It is an antioxidant so it can help prevent and possibly reverse sun damage. (Do not use this as a replacement sunscreen. More research needs to be done.)

It is also said that olive oil can help acne prone sin by killing the bacteria that causes acne.

A few things you might need

To make a recipe for lotion bars, you need to have a couple of things. Here’s a list of what I’ve used in mine.

• Organic White Beeswax Pellets that are USDA Approved and pesticide free – These are what I’ve used in my bars and while it says “white” they are a slightly off-white color.
• Organic Mango Butter that’s USDA certified, cold pressed and unrefined – You could also use an organic Shea Butter or Jojoba Butter too. But make sure to get a block of it and make sure you’re paying attention to the amount so you have enough.
• Extra Virgin Olive oil – I will literally use the olive oil sitting on my counter. This is it {HERE}.
• Chocolate Melter or Double Boiler – I use a chocolate melter for my bars. In fact, I’m thinking about getting a second one so I can dedicate this one to making lotion bars. But, a double boiler will work just as well. I appreciate the chocolate melter because I can turn it on and walk away while it melts. {THIS} is the one I have.
• Cheese grater – This is for grating the Mango Butter. I find it melts better and faster doing this step.
• Molds for the bars – These ones {HERE} are the ones I’ve used in this post but I also have {THESE} and {THERE}. There’s a lot of fun options for the bars but I happen to think the bees on mine are cute.
• Essential oils – I’ve scented these bars with Orange and Lavender. I love the smell combination together. But you can use any combo you love.
• Packing – I decided to put my bars in {THESE} tins because they’re reusable. But you can also just wrap your bars in a pretty piece of paper with a sticker to hold it closed.
• Labels – I made some labels to add to my tins and you can get those here: Orange and Lavender Beeswax Lotion Bars You can either print these as a square on this sticker paper {HERE} and then cut them. Or, use {THESE} round ones that I used for mine.

Questions or comments?

Thank you so much for following along today, friends! You can find the full recipe for lotion bars below.

If you have any questions you can also leave them below or message me directly on Instagram @rachelquenzer or @sugarmaplefarmhouse. I tend to see those sooner than comments on the blog. Have a beautiful day!