How to Make Beeswax Lotion Bars
Making your own body care products with beeswax is a lot of fun and a great way to save money too. Using homemade recipes for things like lotion bars allows you to have control. You know what is in the recipe – no nasty chemicals with unpronounceable words. And, these items are actually much easier to make than most folks think. If you like making natural products, you will love this tutorial on how to make beeswax lotion bars.
DIY Lotion Bars with Beeswax
One of the great things about a beeswax lotion bar is that you can ditch the plastic bottle. No need to have another plastic bottle to add to the landfill or a pump that wont… well.. pump.
No worries about the compounds found in commercial lotions: para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), petroleum, formaldehyde, and others. Your homemade lotion bars are all natural. And they can be darn cute too!
What is a Lotion Bar?
Lotion bars can come in any shape but they often resemble a bar of soap. But, who says that have to be rectangles? They can be created using special molds or simply shaped in a cupcake pan.
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Made using a blend of oils and butters, lotion bars stay solid at room temperature or lower. However, they soften your skin in the same way as a regular lotion product.
Why Use Beeswax for Skin Care
Beeswax is a wonderful product to add to many recipes for skin softeners. It is popular in liquid lotion recipes, lip balms and lotion bars too.
What is so special about beeswax? It is a natural humectant that acts as a barrier to prevent moisture from leaving your skin. It can also protect your skin from toxins in the environment.
And beeswax is made by bees so it is a renewable resource. Beeswax is a by-product of the honey harvest – taking some does not harm the colony.
How do You Use Beeswax Lotion Bars?
As far as your skin is concerned there is not much difference between liquid lotion and lotion bars. However, they are used differently.
A lotion bar works using the warmth from your hands to soften the oils in the bar. Rub the bar between your hands just like a homemade bar of soap.
Some of the bar will melt on your hands. Now, rub the melted lotion into your areas of dry skin. After use, place the beeswax lotion bar back in a container or wrap.
Lotions bars last for several uses depending on how much you apply each time. They can be used on any part of the body.
But, be careful if you apply to feet or any area that may cause you to fall. It can feel slippery until the lotion is absorbed.
Expert Tips and Notes – DIY Lotion Bars with Beeswax
These instructions allow for a lot of substitutions in order to achieve the end product that suits your preferences. Here are a few tips to consider as you create your beeswax lotion bars.
- you can substitute shea butter for the cocoa butter
- raw cocoa butter has odor – use unscented or essential oils to disguise the scent
- set your silicone mold on a sturdy tray (or clipboard) for stability
- not required – but placing the filled mold in refrigerator speeds up the finish
Why are My Lotion Bars Sticky?
If your lotion bar feels too sticky, you probably have too much cocoa butter in the mix. In contrast, bars that feel greasy need to use less oil in the recipe.
After a point-it is all personal preference and that is why you may need to experiment just a bit . Make a small batch until you get your favorite blend.
How to Store Homemade Lotion Bars
Some people prefer to store their lotion bars in the refrigerator. That is perfectly okay but it will take a few moments more to warm them up and use them. Refrigeration is not necessary.
Other options include, wrapping the bar in parchment paper, wax paper or a clean dry cloth. And as in this article, you can wrap them in a piece of cute cloth or paper and store in a tin. What great gifts they make.
Because lotion bars contain no water, no major preservatives are needed. They will last up to 6 months.
Everyone has a different opinion on the qualities of the perfect lotion bar. You may need to tweak the recipe just a bit to get the non-greasy, hard beeswax lotion bar that you desire.
That is one of the joys of using beeswax for crafts. You can re-melt and try again. If you love your lotion bar, consider trying this beeswax body butter too – it is marvelous and so creamy.
And, don’t forget to show your face a bit of love with this recipe for a DIY face moisturizer with beeswax and honey. If you seek a natural product good for minor burns and scrapes – whip up a batch of natural petroleum free jelly.
Lotion Bar with Beeswax Tutorial
Tools
- wooden stir stick
Supplies
- 4 oz Cocoa Butter (net wt)
- 4 oz coconut oil
- 4.25 oz beeswax
- 1.5 oz Essential Oil (I used Lavender) (your choice of type)
- 1 jar vitamin E oil (optional – few drops or 2 capsule contents)
- 1 piece Round Honeybee Silicone Mold
- 6 pieces Metal Tins 2 ounces with Clear Lid
Instructions
- In most beeswax recipes, it is a good idea to start melting your beeswax first. While it is very easy to melt beeswax, it takes a bit longer than oils and some butter.For safety sake, melt your wax in a double boiler or similar container.
- Once the wax is melted, it is time to measure and add your cocoa butter. Use a wooden skewer or similar to gently stir.
- Now – add your measured coconut oil to the mix. It will liquify rapidly if not already liquid. Coconut oil is liquid at warm room temp and solid if it is cool. Gently stir.
- I always add a bit of vitamin e oil to my beeswax recipes – but this is optional. If you wish to do the same, add 8 drops or about 2 capsules of liquid.
- You do not have to use essential oils – you may prefer unscented lotion bars. But, if you want to add some scent – now is the time. Be sure to use a skin-safe EO such as lavender.
- Now it is time to pour your beeswax lotion bar recipe into the selected molds. If using silicone, they should be easy to remove. If you are using plastic molds, you may consider some mold release spray.
- Leave them on the counter to cool. In a few hours, you should be able to pop them out!
