Coconut Lotion Bars

Here are some ways and ideas for using Lotion Bars.

• To soften and protect dry skin
• During pregnancy to prevent stretch marks
• On sensitive baby skin to help sooth nappy rash or eczema
• To sooth dry skin from rashes, eczema or psoriasis
• After shaving to prevent dry skin
• As a nighttime facial moisturizer
• After doing dishes to moisturize hands

The following recipe is by Katie from wellnessmama.com.  It’s a great way to use coconut oil and very easy to make!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup Coconut Oil
• 1/2 cup Shea Butter or Cocoa Butter (I’m trying Mango butter as well)
• 2/3 cup Beeswax Pastilles or grated beeswax
• Optional: 1 teaspoon Vitamin E oil
• Optional: Essential Oils for scent

How to Make:

Combine ingredients in a quart size or larger glass mason jar or reused glass jar. Fill a medium size saucepan with a couple inches of water and place on a burner over medium high heat. I recommend putting a lid on the jar to prevent water from getting in as this ruins the lotion bars.

Bring the water to a simmer and stir or shake the contents of the jar until completely melted. This should take about ten minutes. Quickly pour into whatever molds you are using. I highly recommend silicone muffin cups or molds if you have them because they are so easy to clean. Regular muffin tins or even small glass jars also work. You can even use small jelly-size glass jars if you want to keep the lotion bar in the jar for travel or to give as a gift. This recipe will make approximately 6 lotion bars if using muffin cups or small jars.

Leave in molds for at least 4 hours or overnight (preferable) and carefully pop out of molds. I wrap in cellophane bags and tie with burlap and twine for gifts.

If you need help in finding molds, beeswax and mango butter

[amazon_link id=”B000FPX4GC” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]These are the type of molds that I used[/amazon_link]

[amazon_link id=”B00455IWK6″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]I used beeswax fingers like these[/amazon_link]

[amazon_link id=”B000W0HA7Y” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]You can find mango butter here[/amazon_link]

How to Use Lotion Bars:

Lotion bars are designed for use on dry skin in place of lotion. Apply the same way that you would use soap in the shower but on dry skin with no need to wash off. The heat of your skin will transfer a very thin layer of moisturizing lotion to the skin, which will absorb in 3-5 minutes.

Customize Them!

The great thing about lotion bars is that you can customize them to your own preference. Here are a few ideas or I’d love to hear yours!

• Add 20-30 drops of your favorite essential oil for scent. I like lavender or ylang ylang.
• Add 10 drops of peppermint essential oil and 1/2 tsp of powdered ginger for use on sore muscles after working out.
• Add 1/2 cup organic arrowroot powder and a tablespoon of baking soda to make a natural deodorant barthat puts most regular deodorants to shame. Leave out the baking soda if you have sensitive skin. You can also add the powder of a couple capsules of shelf-stable probiotics for extra odor protection.
• Infuse the coconut oil before making with some common kitchen herbs to make a bug-repellent bar that works great without chemicals.
• Add a couple of tablespoons of Zinc Oxide Powder (non-nano) to make sunscreen bars. The powder will settle a little which is normal. Be careful not to inhale the powder.