Though I struggle with dry, itchy skin fairly regularly, I never seem to have lotion handy when I need it. Luckily, I found a solution for dry skin that’s a lot more purse-friendly than lotion that comes in bottle: homemade lotion bars.
What is a lotion bar, you ask? As the name implies, they’re solid bars of lotion that you use by softening them with your body heat. Just hold a lotion bar between your hands for a few seconds to soften it up, then rub the lotion onto dry hands, elbows, cuticles, or wherever you need it!
Not only are homemade lotion bars great to carry in your purse or shaving kit, but they’re also made with natural ingredients that are highly moisturizing and gentle on skin. The beeswax helps keep the lotion bars solid at room temperature, and it also helps seal in the other ingredients to keep your skin moisturized longer.
Here’s how to make your own at home!
How To Make Homemade Lotion Bars
You’ll need:
- 4.5 oz beeswax
- 4 oz shea butter
- 4 oz coconut oil
- 20 drops lavender essential oil
- Silicone soap mold
Directions:
Combine the beeswax, shea butter and coconut oil in the top section of a double boiler, or a bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Once the ingredients are completely melted, remove from heat and stir well.
Add the lavender essential oil, give the mixture another good stir, then carefully pour it into the cavities of a silicone mold.
Let the lotion cool and solidify completely before removing your lotion bars from the mold.
Since these lotion bars are so easy to make, why not go ahead and make some mini ones too? They make great gifts and party favors!
BONUS: Mini Lotion Bars
You can make mini lotion bars using the same ingredients and amounts shown above, but swap your larger, soap-sized mold for a silicone mold with small cavities. Also, do yourself a favor and pour the liquid lotion into a squeeze bottle before filling your silicone moldโit makes the process a lot less messy!
Mini lotion bars will solidify faster than larger bars, but they’ll also melt faster if they get too warm, so be sure to store them in a cool place.
What’s your go-to remedy for dry skin?

DIY Lotion Bars For Dry Skin
Equipment
- Silicone mold
- Double Boiler
- Measuring cup with pour spout
- Squeeze bottle optional
Ingredients
- 4.5 oz beeswax
- 4 oz shea butter
- 4 oz coconut oil
- 20 drops lavender essential oil
Instructions
- Melt the beeswax, shea butter, and coconut oil together in a double boiler, then remove from heat and stir well.
- Add the lavender oil and stir again.
- Pour the liquid lotion into a measuring cup with a pour spout, then carefully fill the cavities of a silicone mold.
- Allow the lotion to cool and solidify before removing the bars from the mold.



























I’ve used “chap stick” tubes (Amazon) for homemade lotion / salves. No mess, no worries.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I used a similar recipe and it works well.
Great idea. Iโm afraid they would melt. I live in humid state and I can just see it making a mess. I do like the small plastic travel case idea for carrying them.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Any hacks for cleaning up? I donโt want any of this to go down the drain.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.How does one keep these sweet bars from melting in your purse? Or car?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Just keep them in a little baggie or tin. They will get soft – but they won’t melt entirely!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.These are expensive little items at Lush!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.What other e.o. can you use besides lavender?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Lavender is amazing for skin irritations and soothing dry skin, but you can use just about any essential oil! I would recommend floral oils – is there something you had in mind?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This is great and I can already smell the wonderful scent. I often make knitted facecloths and soap bags during the holidays and had been purchasing lavender scented soap for this little gift which I keep in a basket with other little gifts for visitors from Thanksgiving through New Years. This will make a quick and easy addition to my handmade gifts and fits the handmade theme.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.When I find my missing beeswax in the cabinet. going to make up a small batch tomorrow morning , do it early before my 3 kids get up. So off I go to find my beeswax , May change my mind and make it tonight! U Rock Mrs. Jillee! Love your website!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I made 8 star shape ones tonight just now , waiting on them to cool!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank you!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’m thinking I’ll add patchouli oil instead of lavender and using it as a moisturizing bug repellent.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I ‘m going to have to get some of that shea butter and more beeswax! Making for sure!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Almost forgot, I put mine in a bread pan and then just dumped them out and cut them when they cooled.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I made these last night. It was so fast and easy to do! I’ve used lotion bars before, but I had never made them myself. Thanks for this quick and easy tutorial!
I kept the other ones I had in a plastic baggie in my purse. These are a bit softer than some I’ve had, but so far they are keeping their shape pretty well (and it’s hot today!) So, I think that is going to work out fine. I put my extras in the freezer.
I did a lot of yardwork yesterday, and these made my hands feel so good after I was done!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.A clean, leftover Altoids tin is a great storage option to keep them in for on the go.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Can you make these lotion bars with essential oils other than lavender?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.OF COURSE! you can use any scent you like
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Not sure how well they travel but such good stuff in them. I avoid DISHPAN HANDS like the plague and always wear gloves when doing dishes or washing clothes by hand.
I use sunscreen on my hands and do not want to keep reapplying it after washing dishes, which seem to need doing multiple times a day.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Lotion bars great all over!!
Who remembers Marge and her DISHPAN HANDS from the Palmolve ad??
Where did you get the silicone molds? This is such a good idea.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks Susan! You can find them at a craft store, baking store, or on Amazon: http://amzn.to/29qrWt9
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I just made these! So easy! I used a silicone candy mold. Found everything at Hobby Lobby! Am going 2 try a different scent & try adding some color to next batch!
Perfect!
You mention that these will fit in a pocket or purse, but wouldn’t they melt in a pocket (warmed by body heat), or in a purse left in a warm place? Also, some people might just toss them in a purse or pocket without a baggie or something to keep things from getting messy….
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Love the idea, I too am concerned about melting if put in a purse or tote bag. What would be the best way to package if put in a purse?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Go to Dollar Trr & pick up some cute small tins or plastic soap container with lid attached. There are some cute small jars you could use and print out some cute vintage labels with your product name, A Special Gift for You produced by your name. Just a thought. I’m going to do this for my 7 daughters.
Use a hard, plastic container! They sell them at Target, WalMart, in the traveling section. That way you don’t have to worry.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Jillee,
I’m excited about making these little jewels. I’m hard on my hands. I’m one of those people, who enjoys washing my dishes…most of the time. I also do my own housekeeping and gardening. My hands will love this healthy, natural way to keep them protected and replenished.
Thanks Bunches!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Sounds good
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Why Sparks? You should read the book The Essential Oil Truth without any of the hype! By Jen O’Sullivan.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Love this recipe! I always use more coconut oil than other cosmetic fats, but I’ll add some shea butter next time. Thank you for sharing this recipe! :)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.burt’s bees makes a lotion bar that’s awesome. It has it’s own display plate and I leave it on the bathroom counter opposite my liquid soap container………………………Thanks for the diy, cause I’m doing it when my burt’s bees is gone………………………….
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Where can I buy the molds? I haven’t been able to find them.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You can find them at a craft store, baking store, or on Amazon: http://amzn.to/29qrWt9
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Lotion bars work well. They just don’t work well in SUMMER if you aren’t in an air-conditioned environment. You really want to put a lotion bar in your back pocket in summer? That’s gonna be a mess!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I keep my lotion bars in an altoid’s tin in my purse. It gets a little soft in Michigan’s summer weather but doesn’t melt.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My son’s girlfriend has eczema. This will be great for her. You always send just when I need it.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi Jillee,
I’m always looking for something like this too. Brilliant. I have 2 questions.
1: If I decided to use another E.O. would the drop amount be the same?
2: What do you store these in at home and in your purse?
Thanks,
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Jo
I use old altoid’s tins to store my lotion bar in my purse.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.1. Yes!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.2. Any old tin or container I have around the house (Altoids tins work perfectly!) :-)
Would cocoa butter or a shea/cocoa butter blend be a good substitute for this recipe. I love shea butter but it’s just not as good as cocoa butter for scars & stretch marks.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It works great as a sub for Shea Butter! I always use cocoa butter since I don’t like the scent of Shea Butter.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Jan, would you use the same amount?
I haven’t tried it, but I assume it would work just fine! Let me know how you like it, Gina! :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have a question one of the ingredients in your homemade soap is coconut oil im alergic to the coconut oil is there another oil i can use?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Sure! Any carrier oil will work just fine. Here is a list of my favorites: https://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2016/02/the-best-carrier-oils-for-your-diy-health-beauty-products.html
Because coconut oil solidifies at room temperature, though, you might want to add an extra tablespoon of beeswax to get the hardness that you need in the lotion bars. :-)
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