Shea Butter Lotion Bar Sticks

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shea butter lotion
Wellness Mama » Blog » Beauty » Shea Butter Lotion Bar Sticks

On average women use about 19 bodycare products a day that contain an estimated 500+ different chemicals. In college my bathroom was filled with dozens of hair products, skin products and makeup containers with hundreds of ingredients. These shea butter lotion sticks though have just 5.

I’ll admit that I’m a skin care product addict. Thankfully though I learned the benefits of natural products years ago and switched all of my toxic ingredients out for healthy ones. 

Since switching I still have dozens of personal care products in my bathroom but now they’re packaged in glass jars. Instead of phthalates, parabens, and artificial fragrance you’ll find ingredients like shea butter, cocoa butter, and honey. There are a lot of great natural skincare products on the market now, but I still enjoy making my own too. 

Benefits of Shea Butter Lotion

Lotion bars are some of my favorites and they’re much easier to use than regular lotion. Especially when I had little kids who liked to get into everything! I started making them in repurposed plastic deodorant containers, which makes them even easier to apply. You can also use these eco-friendly cardboard tubes. 

In the fall, I love using shea butter lotion. It naturally protects skin from dry, cool weather and some say it helps the skin naturally produce collagen. Research has also showed shea butter has natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. That means it’s great for calming irritated skin and protecting it from free radical damage. 

A 2025 study showed that shea butter immediately and drastically increases skin hydration, prevents moisture loss, and improves skin barrier function. In many places, it’s a revered remedy for keeping skin looking young and it really does make skin softer than a baby’s bottom.

More Skin Protecting Ingredients

Not only do these feature shea butter, but they also have a few other skin loving ingredients. Coconut oil provides MCT oil and a whole host of benefits that you’ve probably heard me brag about before. Coconut oil helps repair the skin barrier, has mild anti-bacterial effects, reduces inflammation, is antioxidant, and helps skin age more gracefully. Then there’s beeswax to help thicken and provide even more skin barrier protection to keep skin hydrated. 

I love adding in my favorite essential oils to make this an all-over skin nourishing remedy. You can use any skin safe oils you prefer, but I usually opt for a blend of chamomile, geranium, and sweet orange. If your skin is really sensitive or you’re using this for very little ones, then omit the essential oils. 

Here’s how to make your own shea lotion bars!

shea butter lotion
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Shea Butter Lotion Bar Stick

This creamy lotion bar is in a convenient stick form to keep hands mess free. Customize it with your favorite scents!
Prep Time3 minutes
Active Time10 minutes
Cooling Time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 13 minutes
Yield: 2 ounces
Author: Katie Wells

Materials

Instructions

  • Add several inches of water to the bottom pot.
  • Add all of the ingredients except essential oils to the top of the double boiler or heat safe glass bowl on top of a pot. Heat the ingredients over medium heat until melted, stirring ocassionally.
  • Remove from heat and stir in the essential oils.
  • Pour the mixture into the lotion bar tube.
  • Let cool for several hours or overnight in the fridge.

Notes

  • Cooling in the fridge speeds up the cooling time but it also helps the shea butter to stay smooth after cooling. 
  • Keep in a cool, dry place for up to 2 years. 

How to Use Shea Butter Lotion Bars

These shea butter lotion bars are great for dry, thirsty skin that needs extra hydration. It goes on silky smooth and I’ll put it anywhere I need some more moisture. I don’t use it on my face though since my face tends to have plenty of natural oils. However, I know many women who love to use shea butter on the face and this would be an easy way to apply it. Experiment and see what works for you. 

Notes On Shea Lotion Bar Sticks

  • This recipe makes enough for one 2-ounce lotion bar tube. Double or triple the recipe if desired to make more.
  • For a firmer lotion bar stick, use more beeswax. For a smoother lotion bar stick, use less beeswax and more coconut oil or olive oil.
  • Shea butter has a different melting point than other oils and butters so it can get grainy in skincare products. An easy way to fix this is to make sure they cool down in the fridge before using. You can store them at room temperature though. 

More Lotion Bar Recipes

Once you start making homemade lotion bars it’s hard to stop! Here are some more of my favorite natural lotion bar recipes. 

What are some of your favorite skincare products to make? Leave a comment and let us know!

Sources
  1. Lin, T. K., Zhong, L., & Santiago, J. L. (2017). Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils. International journal of molecular sciences, 19(1), 70. 
  2. Asher, A., et al. (2025, March 26). Investigation of the in vitro effects of shea butter on skin barrier function and hydration using analytical chemistry methodologies. Open journal of Chemistry (OJC), 5(1), 1-7.
  3. Rice, M. (2009, November 20). Revealed… the 515 chemicals women put on their bodies every day. Daily Mail.

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Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

53 responses to “Shea Butter Lotion Bar Sticks”

  1. Alice Avatar

    Thanks for sharing this guide to make lotion bars, and it’s very easy to make and alter for your own preferences. I opted to use a blend of herbs and spices including Cinnamon, Chamomile flowers, sweet orange and licorice root — it was a fun project!

    As a suggestion, I would recommend substituting the beeswax for Vegan alternatives for comestic use, such as Candelilla wax which is derived from Candelilla leaves; Myrica Fruit wax which is obtained from Bay berries; Almond wax from Almond oil. Also, many of these products are cheaper than Beeswax and all organic as well.

  2. Anjali Avatar

    Can this recipe also be made in cupcake molds as a regular bar, or would it be too soft
    Thanks

  3. Bojana Avatar

    I started to be interested in homemade natural recipes and the information I currently get is quite overwhelming and I am still trying to find out how to use certain things, what works for me etc.
    Would you mind telling me what you use this lotion for? It is not for the face I suppose.

    Many thanks
    Bojana

  4. Sheri Avatar

    Can you use emulsifying wax in place of beeswax in the shea butter lotion bar recipe?

  5. Sheri Avatar

    I love the lotion bars so much! I’m ready to make another batch! How do you clean out the deodorant bar tubes for reuse?

  6. Adrienne Avatar
    Adrienne

    Hi Wellness Mama – thanks so much for all the beauty recipes, I love and use so many of them! …which is part of my challenge. I’ve ruined several pairs of jeans, as they seem to absorb the oils when applied to my legs. I try to give it time to sink in before dressing, though I have little choice in the morning, rushing to work!…I’ve tried adding corn starch/arrowroot powder, but it still doesn’t seem to help Do you have any recommendations as to how to keep skin moisturized, while not ruining clothes? Thanks!

    1. Nisa Avatar

      I know how you feel. That’s why I usually use it on the evening after work and more, right before I sleep, wear comfy legging and socks. It keeps my skin moisturized enough for whole day.

  7. Kathleen Avatar

    Hi – I’m really loving the lotion bar thing, and made a batch for Christmas gifts. One challenge: I live in Arizona and it’s still 89 at the end of November. I’m concerned about these melting if I give them to locals…any ideas on the recipe that could keep it firm during hot months? It can get to 120 outside and stay in the 80’s inside even with AC. My thought was less Coconut oil b/c that has a lower melting point, right? I don’t want to add a ton of Beeswax, maybe a higher percentage of Shea butter?

    Thanks for your help. BTW, the twist tubes are really well-priced on Wholesale Supplies Plus.com =-)

  8. Carmen Avatar

    Will the coconut oil in this clog pores, or is the amount too small to do that? I get acne pretty much on my whole body, so a non-comedegenic moisturizer is a must for me…
    I realize I can use extra shea butter, but I’m just wondering about the coconut oil 🙂
    Thank you!

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar

      Coconut oil does not clog the pores like other synthetic oils might. It’s actually beneficial to acne-prone skin 🙂 Of course, you can always omit if you’d like and adjust the ingredients to your preference.

  9. Alena Avatar

    Thanks so much for the info on your site. Verh helpful. I’ve started making my own products and cannot imagine going back to store bought. The difference is amazing. I am a peppermint freak, so I added peppermint and a little eucalyptus. These tubes are not going to last long!

  10. Leone Avatar

    Hello. I’m planning on making the basic lotion in little silicon patty cake containers. But, my questioning is, can I use your Shea Butter lotion stick recipe in the patty cake containers?? I’m worried it might not set?
    Thank you so much for all our recipes, they look great and I’m excited to give them a try.
    Thanks in advance
    Leone

  11. Melissa Avatar

    I just made this today. I love that it’s a small amount to whip up quickly. I have guests coming over for dinner tonight so this is a gift for my guest!

  12. Destiny Avatar

    I find myself coming back to your blog, rather than looking up any other recipe on the interweb. I really enjoy this, I like all the info & it helps me offer new products to my customers. Thank you so much!!!

  13. Kit Avatar

    Firstly, thank you so much for such an informative place to find information to live better and healthier for all ages in just about every way imaginable!

    I am converting step by step from a fully processed, over the counter, run to the doctor person, to an organic eating, almost there vegetarian, alternative medicine (where I can at 62 with a chronic issue) do-it myselfer!

    I have gone from chemically laced shower gel to your recipe, and have been making your lotion sticks and loving them! With one hitch! Every time I add my precious (and pricy) essential oils after I have everything melted together and removed from the heat, it seems as though before I am even finished pouring the mixture into the containers, the lovely scent has evaporated! I have even tried to hurry and stir a few extra drops in at the last second as they are setting up, but once hardened, there is no hint of any scent at all. So disappointing! I am wondering if I am purchasing the wrong thing because in looking around I have noticed a few are labeled ‘absolute’ and thought maybe those are what I need? Anyone who can help would so appreciated.

  14. Laura Higgins Avatar
    Laura Higgins

    I love these recipes!!! I have always used Aubrey Organics (somewhat pricey but not over the top) and LUSH (very pricey) I can now make my own lotions and bars for a fraction of the price! I love that I know exactly what is going into my creation. Thank you so much for the great recipes! Do you have any shampoo and conditioner recipes for fine hair?

  15. Mar Avatar

    Hi! Mine got a crack at the very top of the lotion and some melted through the container. Any tips to prevent these two things from happening?

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