I may have a new favorite homemade gift: DIY coconut oil lotion bars!
I absolutely love them and I hope those who get them as a gift this year will love them, too!
I just purchased a huge starter kit of essential oils (like this one HERE), so I’m going to be creating a lot more awesome beauty stuff. I got them to use for my kids, but I’m finding SO much stuff to use for myself, too.
I’m loving the oils, do you use essential oils yet? If so, what’s your favorite?
Mine is lemon for now. I’m sure that’ll change when I spend more time with my new ones. 🙂
Want to get your own oils?
Order Your Starter Kit Now
Some of my favorite oils to use are Joy and lavender, both of which come in the Premium Starter Kit. Learn more about it HERE.
I think one of the best combos for skin—especially from the starter kit oils—is frankincense and lavender. Lavender is calming for your mind and your skin while frankincense helps maintain radiant skin and smooths the look of healthy skin. Plus, bonus, they both smell yummy!
These lotion bars have made awesome gifts several times over now.
And I try to keep some on hand for myself, too.
I’ve since experimented a couple of times with adding a little beetroot powder to make the bars a pretty mauve color. They’re super pretty.
Want to make lotion bars for Valentine’s Day gifts? Try these cute heart-shaped molds. And if you want to jazz up the sexy time even more, try adding Ylang Ylang essential oil!
And although the results make it look like this recipe must be complicated, it’s actually really easy. I’m not the most skilled DIY’er in the world.
I’ve had a few disasters in my day because I tend to hedge toward tossing in ingredients rather than accurately measuring.
But this one is simple and the measurements are pretty forgiving even when you spitball them. I love it!
DIY Coconut Oil Lotion Bars
Adapted from Frugal by Choice Lotion Bars.Â
Ingredients
1 cup coconut oil (buy some HERE)
1 cup beeswax (I use pellets from Amazon)
1/2 cup shea butter
1/2 cup almond oil
Essential oils of choice (lemon, Joy and lavender are all great choices) (I buy mine HERE)
Method
Place all ingredients except essential oils in a quart mason jar.
Bring a stock pot full of water to a boil with the uncapped jar sitting inside.
Stir regularly until all ingredients melt completely.
Let cool slightly. Add oils and stir.
Pour coconut oil lotion bars mix into silicone molds like these I found: daisies silicone mold and snowflakes silicone mold.
Let set completely (overnight is best). Pop out of the molds and place in mason jars, decorate and tag accordingly. 🙂
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- 1 cup coconut oil
- 1 cup beeswax (I use pellets from Amazon)
- 1/2 cup shea butter
- 1/2 cup almond oil
- Essential oils of choice (lemon, Joy and lavender are all great choices)
- Place all ingredients except essential oils in a quart mason jar.
- Bring a stock pot full of water to a boil with the uncapped jar sitting inside.
- Stir regularly until all ingredients melt completely.
- Let cool slightly. Add oils and stir.
- Some of my favorite oils to use are Joy and lavender, both of which come in the Premium Starter Kit. Learn more about it HERE.
- Pour into silicone molds like these I found: daisies silicone mold and snowflakes silicone mold.
- Want to make lotion bars for Valentine's Day gifts? Try these cute heart-shaped molds.
- Let set completely (overnight is best). Pop out of the molds and place in mason jars, decorate and tag accordingly. 🙂
Love it…but we cannot use almond or any nut oil. What else do you suggest?
Also, where do you get beeswax pellets?
Many thanks.
I’d try apricot or grapeseed oil. Or olive oil in a pinch. I get the pellets on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0022WRVAQ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0022WRVAQ&linkCode=as2&tag=veggiecon-20
Hi I’d love to make this. Is this a winter lotion bar? How could I tweak the recipe for use in summer? Would love to hear from you.
Thank you!
I would possibly try peppermint or tea tree essential oils and possibly jojoba or argan oils. They tend to absorb into the skin easily. The essential oils would keep you nice and cool.
Hi,
I really like this idea, do they need to be refrigerated? I know coconut oil will melt above 70-something degrees. Is this an issue?
Hi there,
We recently featured your article on a blog post titled ’top 31 amazing things to make with coconut oil’
You can find it here: http://www.honesthealthblog.com/31-amazing-things-make-coconut-oil/
Please share if it’s ok with you!
Nice recipe. You should put the Shea butter in last because it’s heat sensitive, then the almond oil since it’s already a liquid. I learned this in a body butter class I went through with a certified aromatherapist.
I’d love to make this lotion but am sensitive to bees wax…I tried Burt’s Bees lip balm once and looked like Angelina Jolie. The puffy lips weren’t so bad 🙂 but the itching was AWFUL!! Any suggestions for replacing bees wax?
I don’t have any personal experience, but this post seems pretty good. http://www.ehow.com/list_5901420_beeswax-substitutes.html
They suggest Carnauba, Candelilla or Soy Wax. Those should be reduced by 1/2 (quantity) because they’re harder. I’m asking around and will let you know if I get any other suggestions!
UPDATE: You can also use extra shea or cocoa butters!
do you use these like soap in the shower?
Nope, I just rub them on my heels and elbows and such.
Can this be transported in a purse? What could I put it in?
I’d try a small canning jar (like @ 4 ounce). It should be fine in the winter, but the coconut oil will melt at high temps (80s/90s F) so don’t leave it in the car in the summertime. 🙂
How many drops each did you use?
I use about 25 drops of oil per 3 cups of lotion bar mix, but it’s really up to you! I stop when I like how it smells. 🙂 If you need the oil for therapeutic use, you’ll want more. About 25 drops per cup.
These little lotion bars are amazing! I am addicted already! They make my hands and heels so smooth and soft! Love them!!!!
Thanks so much, Nancy. I’m so glad you like them. 🙂