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How to Make Lotion Bar Sticks

April 14, 2014 by Katie Wells
How to Make Lotion Bar Stics - amazing moisturizer for skin and easy to use
Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • What Are Lotion Bars?
  • An Easier Way
  • A Word On Ingredients
  • Equipment & Tools Needed for Lotion Bar Sticks
  • Lotion Bar Stick Recipe
  • How to Use Lotion Bars+−
    • Prefer to Purchase Pre-Made Lotion Bars?

What Are Lotion Bars?

Lotion bars are a very moisturizing body lotion in solid form. They look like a bar of soap but are used on dry skin. My original lotion bars recipe is one of my more popular recipes and I’ve shared several variations of the basic recipe:

  • Bug-Off Lotion Bars
  • Pure Silk (Sensitive Skin)
  • Pain Relief Lotion Bars Recipe
  • Bronzing Lotion Bars

An Easier Way

The one complaint I’ve gotten about the lotion bars is that they can be hard to apply and store. After I started making my own deodorant in deodorant containers, I realized that those containers would work wonderfully for lotion bars and solve both problems.

Now, I make lotion bars in deodorant tubes to make them easier to store and use. They are also much easier to give as gifts this way and there are so many ways to customize them.

A Word On Ingredients

For this recipe, I order:

  • Shea Butter or Mango Butter or Cocoa Butter
  • Beeswax
  • Essential oils

I order in at least 5 pound quantities which makes these ingredients much cheaper, but only about 4 ounces of each is needed for this recipe (I already have coconut oil on hand). If you don’t live close, MRH shipping can be expensive. I’ve found that there are now also good options on Amazon for the ingredients, so for this recipe, I order:

  • Unrefined Shea Butter or Cocoa Butter
  • Beeswax Pastilles
  • 5-Pack plastic deodorant containers
  • essential oils: I like Grapefruit and Basil

Whatever ingredients you choose, just make sure they are unrefined and organically sourced.

Equipment & Tools Needed for Lotion Bar Sticks

  • A double boiler or a glass mason jar sitting on a wash cloth in the bottom of a small saucepan
  • a plastic or wooden spoon for mixing
  • Plastic deodorant containers  – You can reuse deodorant containers, but some of them are not solid on the bottom and it will leak through so check this before you start. I used these and they worked really well but if I’d seen them, I would have ordered these since they come with cute labels.
  • Paper towels, old newspaper or rags that can be thrown away (to clean out pan/jar- see instructions below recipe)
These lotion bar sticks are an easy way to use lotion bars. Shea butter, beeswax and coconut oil make an incredibly moisturizing combination for all skin types.

Lotion Bar Stick Recipe

Katie Wells
Make lotion bar sticks stored in deodorant containers that can be rubbed on for easy application.
No ratings yet
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 mins
Cooling Time 4 hrs

Ingredients
  

  • 1/3 cup shea butter (or cocoa butter, mango butter, or a mix)
  • ¼ cup beeswax pellets
  • 1/3 cup coconut oil (or ¼ cup liquid oil such as olive, hazelnut, or almond)
  • essential oils (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Combine the butters, beeswax pellets, and coconut oil in the top of the double boiler or in a mason jar sitting on a washcloth in a small saucepan.
  • Put about an inch of water in the bottom of the double boiler or in the saucepan and bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat to simmer and stir the mixture carefully until all the ingredients have melted. NOTE: Be careful not to get any water in to the butters/oil mixture as it will ruin the bars.
  • Once all ingredients have melted, remove them from the heat.
  • Stir in essential oils.
  • Quickly and carefully pour into the plastic deodorant molds. If possible, transfer to the refrigerator to harden or let sit on the counter for 4-6 hours or until completely cooled.

Notes

Important: When finished, do not put the pan or jar directly into the sink or attempt to wash as you would regular dishes. Wipe out the double boiler or pan as much as possible with paper towels, old newspaper, or rags that can be thrown away and then wash in hot soapy water as soon as possible.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

How to Use Lotion Bars

Use lotion bars on dry skin only. They are not meant to be used in the bath or shower. Rub a thin layer over skin as often as needed.

These lotion bars are not sunscreen but they do have a natural SPF of about 5 and are great for mild sun exposure.

The tubes make this easy to apply to children or babies.

Prefer to Purchase Pre-Made Lotion Bars?

If you want to use lotion bars but don’t have the time/ingredients to make them yourself, I found a great small business, Made On, that makes all kinds of lotion bars, soaps, natural baby products and hair products that are up to my standards. Their website is HardLotion.com (Note: Affiliate link… the price is discounted for you and I get a small commission to support my blog!)

Ever made your own lotion bars at home? Ready to give it a try? Share below!

These lotion bar sticks are an easy way to use lotion bars. Shea butter, beeswax and coconut oil make an incredibly moisturizing combination for all skin types.

Related Posts

Easy recipe to make your own natural lotion barsHow to Make Natural Lotion Bars (Recipe + Variations)Shea Butter Lotion Bar SticksShea Butter Lotion Bar StickCoconut Oil Lotion Bar Sticks Recipe - simple and skin nourishingCoconut Oil Lotion Bar SticksEczema Relief Lotion Bars RecipeEczema Relief Lotion BarsHow to Optimize Your Pregnancy and Birth Experience with Mama Natural Genevieve Howland76: How to Optimize Your Pregnancy and Birth Experience with Mama Natural Genevieve HowlandUltimate-Holiday-Gift-Guide-for-Everyone-On-Your-List2020 Ultimate Holiday Gift-Giving Guide for the Whole Family (Natural + Eco-Friendly)
Category: Beauty

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder and CEO of Wellness Mama and Co-Founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a wife and 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.

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Reader Interactions

Discussion (87 Comments)

  1. Christine

    April 18, 2014 at 8:28 AM

    Hi, I am trying to add arnica/ginger, any suggestion on amount to add? Thank you, love your website!!

    Reply
    • Pamela Sue Parvati

      April 20, 2014 at 10:43 AM

      I have infused my oils with arnica and it seems to work! I have infused the coconut oil as well as grape seed and use them as otherwise directed in several recipes.

      Reply
  2. crystal

    April 17, 2014 at 8:04 AM

    If I am having to chop or grate beeswax how much would I use? I have a HUGE wheel of beeswax from a local organic maker. It’s almost too pretty to chop up lol

    Reply
  3. Maureen

    April 17, 2014 at 8:00 AM

    I am trying to avoid plastic containers. Any suggestions for different containers and where to purchase them?

    Reply
    • Katie - Wellness Mama

      April 17, 2014 at 11:56 PM

      Try Amazon…

      Reply
      • paula pateman

        April 19, 2014 at 11:34 AM

        hi there I really need to buy some of the empty deodorant tubes but im in the uk and cannot get them. have you any suggestions on what to put them in many thanks paula x

        Reply
    • Diane

      April 21, 2014 at 9:18 PM

      I get my favorites from SKS-Bottle.com

      Reply
  4. Heather Delladio

    April 16, 2014 at 4:15 PM

    Hello Katie,

    Will these melt if not kept in the frig?

    Thank you,

    Heather

    Reply
    • Katie - Wellness Mama

      April 18, 2014 at 12:51 PM

      Only at inside temperatures above 80-85 degrees

      Reply
  5. Cindi

    April 16, 2014 at 8:40 AM

    Could you use Grapeseed oil? I use that in my salt scrubs so I already have it on hand

    Reply
  6. CB

    April 15, 2014 at 8:32 PM

    How much essential oil do you put in? I am making it with ginger and/or arnica for sore muscles.
    Thank you

    Reply
  7. Mary Anne

    April 15, 2014 at 9:28 AM

    Can I use beeswax in my home made deodorant, too?

    Reply
    • Tammy

      April 20, 2014 at 12:02 AM

      I have made deodorant using beeswax. It worked quite well.

      Reply
      • Mary Anne

        April 21, 2014 at 10:46 AM

        Thanks, Tammy!!

        Reply
  8. Krystal

    April 15, 2014 at 7:02 AM

    Could you use the deodorant sticks to make suncreen too?

    Reply
  9. Brook Owens

    April 15, 2014 at 1:44 AM

    This would be perfect for dry cracked feet/ heels. What Essential oils / recipe would you reccomend for that ?

    Reply
  10. Sharan

    April 14, 2014 at 9:12 PM

    Hi Katie,

    Thanks for your recipe. I’m really interested in making my own moisturising lotion. Is there any way to make this moisturiser in more of a cream form rather than a solid block?

    Thank you.
    Sharan

    Reply
    • Paula

      April 15, 2014 at 4:13 AM

      Sharan,
      Try adding Aloe Vera gel. I use twice as much gel as the solid butters/oils in the recipe e.g. if your total oils and butters is 1/2cup, add 1 cup aloe vera gel to the double boiler. Let the whole mixture cool and harden and then whip it. You’ll need jars for storage.

      Reply
      • LJ

        April 20, 2014 at 9:39 AM

        Sharan, what brand of aloe gel do you use? Is it unscented? Is it like a gel, rather than the liquid you drink?

        Reply
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