Lotion Bars
Lotion bars look like soap - in fact, you can make them in the same molds you use for melt and pour soap making. But, as their name suggests, lotion bars are solid bars used for moisturizing rather than cleansing. The heat of your body warms the bars as you use them, leaving a trace of nourishing butters and oils on your skin. The process of making these bars is very similar to making melt and pour soap.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 4 ounces shea butter, mango butter, or cocoa butter* (see note)
- 4 ounces beeswax
- 5 ounces sweet almond oil or jojoba oil
- 1-2 teaspoons essential oil or fragrance oil, any scent
In a small, heavy pot over low heat, melt the beeswax and butter together, stirring constantly. When melted and smooth, remove from heat and add the almond or jojoba oil. Continue stirring until mixture has cooled slightly.
Add your fragrance or essential oils and keep stirring until mixture is cooled but still liquid. Pour into molds and allow a couple of hours to set. Pop the bars from the molds and they’re ready to use!
Never put lotion bars into the freezer to harden faster. They’ll end up becoming very brittle and cracked.
* Cocoa butter is wonderfully moisturizing and nourishing for the skin, but it works best with sweet or bakery-type fragrances. The cocoa butter itself has a warm, chocolatey scent that will alter the fragrance you add to it.
homemade beauty products, lotion bars, soap making, craft projects, crafts
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