Coconut Oil Lotion Bar Sticks

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Coconut Oil Lotion Bar Sticks Recipe - simple and skin nourishing
I’m a huge fan of coconut oil and its many uses. At our house, we use it in everything from cooking to toothpaste.

These coconut oil lotion bar sticks are my most recent DIY project with coconut oil and I’ll be making a few more batches to have on hand for Christmas gifts.

What are Lotion Bars?

Lotion bars are simple-to-make bars that are made to be used on the skin when it is dry. Unlike soap, they aren’t made to be used for cleansing or on wet skin, but are a great way to moisturize and nourish skin after bathing or showering.

They are often made with ingredients like:

Where to get Coconut Oil Lotion Bar Ingredients & Supplies:

Like my original lotion bars, these are meant to be used on dry skin. They are even more simple to make with only two ingredients: coconut oil and beeswax.

I’ve ordered both coconut oil and beeswax from Mountain Rose Herbs because they have great prices on bulk products but shipping can take a while. For a faster option, I’ve also ordered this coconut oil and beeswax pastilles with two-day shipping when I’m in a hurry to get the ingredients.

I made these in empty reusable plastic tubes for easy use and application. These are the tubes I used but there are some other less-expensive options that look like regular deodorant tubes:

Coconut Oil Lotion Bar Stick Ingredients:

  • 2/3 cup beeswax pastilles (measure dry)
  • 2/3 cup coconut oil
  • essential oils of choice (I use 15-20 drops of peppermint, lavender or citrus oils)

What to Do:

  1. Melt beeswax and coconut oil in a double boiler or in a glass bowl on top of a small saucepan of boiling water.
  2. When melted, remove from heat and stir in essential oils if using.
  3. Carefully pour into empty plastic tubes.
  4. Let harden completely before using or moving them. They can be carefully moved into the refrigerator to speed up this process.
  5. Store at room temp (below 85 degrees) and use as needed on dry skin.

Note: This will make 5-6 lotion bar tubes depending on the ingredients used.

If you want to add other skin-nourishing ingredients like shea butter and cocoa butter, here are some of my other favorite lotion bar recipes:

Have you made skin care products before? What did you make?

Homemade coconut oil lotion bar sticks recipe with only two ingredients: beeswax and coconut oil. Use on dry skin to moisturize, nourish and protect skin.

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Reader Comments

  1. Woo hoo! I have everything on hand! Gonna try these soon!

  2. This is my first time making any type of lotion ( I made your deodorant and LOVE it). Do you think that this recipe would work well in small tin, or in a mold? I’m going to make a few in the sticks as you have, but would love to make a few more w/o having to buy the sticks.

  3. Wow! I do have coconut oil and may be able to get the beeswax but my challenge will be the deodorant tubes. Still, its worth a try.

  4. Do you sell these Coconut Oil Sticks ?

  5. These sound so simple and wonderful.

    Does it absorb well into the skin, or are you left with a greasy feeling on your skin?

    Also, Katie, why do you choose to use the more expensive tubes. They are more than double the price. Do they work better or hold up longer? Thanks.

  6. I always feel happy whenever I see coconut oil being used outside of this tropical home where I live. Thank you! Ironically, I still have to come up with my own lotion bar though.

  7. Im so excited to try making these! Do you if these tubes are BPA free? Also, would you have to add a preservative if an essential oil is used in the lotion bar?

    • No, you only need to preserve things that contain water, or water-containing ingredients.

  8. Hi Katie, would that be okay to just use beeswax, coconut oil and essential oil ingredients?
    Thanks!

    • Oops, never mind the question, sorry about that.

  9. Hi, I am wondering if you can recommend something for thinning skin. My mother is a heart transplant patient (survivor 5.5 yrs). This is due in part to her age (67) & the fact that she is on anti-rejection meds her skin is very thin.
    I once found a product made with Ester-C but it was hundreds of dollars. What would you recommend. She cannot be in the sun & I am thinking she may not be able to use the beeswax only because she was told that she cannot consume honey, I do not recall if she can now eat honey but there was a time that she couldn’t, like a baby is said should not consume honey.
    Please advise & thanks in advance.
    Laura

  10. Love your recipe. .Had a question. .do you know the weight of the beeswax? I have solid beeswax and I have shavings but if I could have it in weight it would be easier to prepare. Thanks

  11. I just joined a week ago and I am amazed about the coconut oil I have been telling everyone I know about your site, I going to make the bars for Christmas.

  12. Can you put this recipe in silocone cupcake containers? I only have 2 empty boules and was wondering what to do with the rest. Thanks

      • Katie: is this a sure it would be fine to put this recipe in silicon baking cups?

  13. sounds like another winner

  14. It’s a blessing, Katie, to read the different things that you do (first learned of your blog during the Dental/OralWellness Summit–a couple years ago?). For my own use, I have begun saving jars (wooden kitchen matches and striker kept dry, e.g.) that are small from products such as artichoke or bouillon, which work great (have my first ever batch of aluminum-free deodorant in one).

  15. I just made some lotion bars and Chapstick! I bought empty white deodorant tubes and clear empty Chapstick tubes off amazon. Super cheap! For the Chapstick I put lavender and peppermint oil in, but also used shea and Cocoa butter. For the lotion sticks I used lavender and lemon eo. I am loving them!! I did half cup of each and it made 5 tubes of Chapstick and 3 lotion bars. :):)

  16. I just made these lotion bars for the first time. It is also my first attempt at any home made beauty product. Mine came out very yellow in color. I’m assuming this is because I used yellow beeswax. I found white beeswax but is it bleached?

    • It is just due to the beeswax. You can use white and there are some natural, organic white beeswax varieties available

  17. I will work on the gravatar!

    Do these have an expiation date? Ya know cuz you’re rubbing it on skin, although I know coconut oil has antibiotic properties.

    (Your books should come tomorrow, very excited! Thank you!)

    Cynthia

  18. I just made this last night – ordered the beeswax from your link…..just wondering if the beeswax should smell that…..smoky/smoked? I’m new at all this so – I really have nothing to go on. You could still smell the smoky smell over the coconut oil and the essential oil. Is there a less ‘smelly’ type of beeswax?

    🙂

  19. does the Beeswax have to be Yellow? i could only find White beeswax

    • White beeswax works exactly the same, with no scent or yellow color. Go ahead and use it.

  20. I have adult acne and I have read on your site and elsewhere that coconut oil can be used as a moisturizer for acne skin. Given coconut oil solidifies during winter months on the counter top, could I melt it in a glass bottle like you mentioned above minus the beeswax and add the essential oils like lavender and lemongrass after it cools a little. Then whip it with a hand mixer and store. Do you think it would then not be solid but more of a whipped texture and also would it work for facial acne skin if you or anyone else has tried it?

    • I would like to hear answer to this also.

      • I think that it is a fine idea and certainly worthy of experimentation.

  21. I was wondering, if you make a blunder, can re-melt your ingredients and salvage the lotion. It seems I have added too much beeswax and not enough essential oils. Would re-melting ruin it; would it hurt the essential oils?

    Thanks so much for your help!
    jen

  22. any tips for cleaning this up? the bowls and any spills? It seems impossible to eliminate

  24. When I got beeswax for making chapstick, I got all the stuff I needed on Amazon.com.

  25. I am so excited to make these. I will be traveling to Europe for weeks with only a carry on bag. This lotion bar will be one less liquid to deal with when flying and will be easy to apply when on the go. Thank you!!

  26. I made these yesterday and I love the consistency. I used peppermint oil–but unfortunately, it didn’t mask the smell of the beeswax. I’d like to melt again (if possible) and somehow mask the beeswax without changing the consistency. HELP! Any suggestions for me?

    • Just remelt it the same way you made it the first time and add more essential oil. Get white beeswax if you hate the delicious smell of natural beeswax.

  27. Hello. I have contact dermatitis on my hands and it gets so bad some days that I cannot bear it. I get out of the shower and my hands are bright white where the skin buildup is. Is very annoying. Could you possibly send me some lotion or something for it or recommend a product that is actually going to help it?

    Thank you,
    RALPH

    • Make these lotion bars, or any other lotion bars on this site, it should help!

  28. can you make this recipe for a lotion bar in a mold rather than the tubes? or if i use an old deodorant tube, how do you use it?

  29. Hi,I love the recipes here but after heating and pouring in the plastic tubes,will the contents react with the plastic tubes or cause melting of the tube to an extent as plastic contains BPA which is an endocrine dstruptor.WPlease help as i want to make them all but i am worried abt the use of plastic tubes

    • Good question- I’ve researched this and from what I can tell it shouldn’t, since it isn’t at a high temperature, but I’m looking into some compostable (and BPA free) tubes and will update if I can find them

  30. I will try it an see how it goes.

  31. Hi! I am so eager to try these. Someone else also asked but I did not see an answer – can you give a weight for the beeswax? I have a block of it, not pastilles. Thank you!

    • It should be about 5.5 ounces from what I remember…

  32. Hi there! Love your site and handy information. One thing I thought you might be interested in. My first encounter with a lotion bar (thought it was a great idea for those that have to travel by plane a LOT), was one bought (for way too much) at a local market while we were visiting Charleston, S.C. I have tried many, many, since and none have lived up to the effectiveness and how well it sinks in (we used it while driving back and within minutes after applying….no greasy residue on the steering wheel!!). So, looking at the ingredients of most lotion bars, they match what you have on your site. The difference in the one from Charleston? Babbasu oil! I am now going to use your methods and measurements, but their recipe to make bars for guests to our wedding (BTW since it is on the beach in May….making your sun tan oil and some other recipes for the gift baskets I am placing in the rooms:) Also am ordering ingredients to make the eczema bar for my mother in law. Sweet woman is in her mid 80’s and having the worst of it ever…lasting months (I doubt I would get much traction with a dietary change with her, but am including a print out of your article with it:)

  33. What else can I use instead of beeswax?

    • You can use Candellilla wax if looking for a vegan option. But it’s harder than bee wax, so use only half the amount.

  34. How do you get them not to cave in on top or have a hole indent I’m having a lot of trouble with that