Super easy way to make your own DIY Lotion Bars and Homemade Lip Balm using the same all natural recipe
Have you ever looked … really looked at the ingredient list on a simple bottle of body lotion or face moisturizer? It’s scary! What the heck are all those chemicals anyway?
And, I don’t know if you have noticed but there are some body lotions and lip balms which seem to make my skin much drier instead of more moist.
Hint: Homemade lotion bars and lip balm make a DIY Gift Idea!
Basic Lotion Bar Recipe (step by step):
- Gather Supplies (see below)
- Combine 1 part butter + 1 part oil + 1 part wax
- Melt with a double boiler
- Pour into your containers
- Refrigerate
In this Article:
- The benefits of homemade lotion bars
- Supplies needed
- How to make lotion bars:
- Combine the Ingredients
- Melt the oils
- Fill the molds and containers
- How to make Tinted Lip Balm
- How to use Lotion Bars
- Can you make lotion bars without beeswax?
The benefits of homemade lotion bars
Well, I have found out that you can actually make your own super clean lotions and moisturizers without all the toxic chemicals.
Keep in mind, the homemade version will not keep as long as the store bought lotions, but the purity more than makes up for it. Also, you can make them in smaller batches so it won’t go bad.
So you see …. we have a choice. You can make your own beauty products not only without chemicals but also using ingredients that won’t aggravate your particular skin type.
This DIY recipe is super simple with only a very few basic, all natural ingredients like Cocoa Butter, Olive Oil and your choice of Essential Oils. But you are not stuck using those oils.
Feel free to experiment!
If your skin doesn’t respond well to cocoa butter, try Shea or Avocado. Substitute Almond Oil for Olive Oil.
There are many variations. Also, if the first combination doesn’t work well, go ahead and try something else.
Another bonus … these lotion bars can be easily personalized by using different fragrances such as lavender for floral or a more robust scent like sandalwood or musk.
Are you thinking DIY Gift Idea?? I give these moisturizing lotion bars away all the time and my friends love them. So, here you go… my super simple recipe for making your very own buttery body lotion bars and yummy lip balm.
Speaking of DIY Gift Ideas, here is a whole list of beauty products you can make yourself. 18 DIY Beauty Recipes and Homemade Gift Ideas
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we may receive a small commission. See full Disclosure for details.
Supplies needed
- Pure Cocoa Butter or Shea Butter (I used Cocoa Butter – check ingredients for additives)
- Pure Olive Oil
- Essential Oil s.a. Lavender (optional) **
- Beeswax
- Molds,Lip Balm Tubesor Containers
- Double boiler or heat resistant container s.a. Pyrex and saucepan
- Measuring spoons
- Lipstick to tint the lip balm (optional)
** Note: Make sure the Essential Oils you use are specifically made for beauty products and not candles.
Disclosure:This page may contain affiliate links which means if you click and buy,
we may receive a small commission. See full Disclosure for details.
How to make lotion bars:
Combine the Ingredients
Basic Beeswax Lotion Recipe: 1 Part Butter + 1 Part Oil + 1 Part Wax
As I said above, since these are pure, natural ingredients with no preservatives, it is better to make your bars in small batches.
Honestly, I am not 100% sure of the shelf life of these lotion bars but they should be good for at least 6 months.
Note: If it smells funny, toss it out and make new.
This recipe makes 2 small lotion bars & 2 lip balms:
First, combine 2 tablespoons of each (Cocoa Butter, Olive Oil and Beeswax) in the glass measuring cup (or double boiler). If using, go ahead and add a few drops of lavender essential oil at this time.
Melt the oils
Place the cup in a pot with some water and heat to simmer until all ingredients are melted. Stir well to combine.
Fill the molds and containers
When everything is thoroughly melted and combined, carefully pour it into your molds or lotion containers. Let this it set up for a few minutes and then place in the refrigerator.
How to make Tinted Lip Balm
Optional: To make a tinted lip balm, you can add a bit of your favorite lipstick to the liquid and stir thoroughly to combine.
If the color is too light, add a bit more lipstick. Then carefully, pour this into your lip balm tubes or containers. Again, place in the refrigerator to set.
Note: You can also use soap and beauty product dyes instead of the lipstick for color. I don’t recommend food coloring, though as those can stain your clothes.
How to use Lotion Bars
Homemade Lotion Bars are super easy to use. Simply take the bar and gently rub it on your hands or body. The warmth from your skin will soften the bar and make the lotion easy to absorb.
There shouldn’t be any lasting greasy feeling. If there is, try reducing the amount of cocoa or shea butter in the recipe.
DIY Gift Idea!
Now that you know how to make your own bars with this super easy lotion bar recipe, make some up for Birthday, Mother’s Day or Christmas presents.
Add some thick wash cloths or bath towels and make a Spa Gift Basket for your best friend or Mom.
I hope you enjoy this beauty recipe as much as I do. Let me know if you try it … I’d love to see how your lotion bars turned out. And I’d love for you to try my latest … Marbled Goat Milk Soap
Can you make lotion bars without beeswax?
Yes, absolutely! If, for instance, you are a vegan and prefer to not use animal based products, you can easily substitute Soy Wax for the beeswax.
Or, if you would rather have a softer bar, simply play with your ratios a bit, using less liquid olive oil and more of the solid cocoa butter.
Yield: 2 Lotion Bars and 2 Lip Balms
How to make Homemade Lotion Bar Recipe (and Lip Balm!)
SUPER EASY WAY TO MAKE YOUR OWN DIY LOTION BARS AND HOMEMADE LIP BALM USING THE SAME ALL NATURAL RECIPE
DIY Lip Balm and Lotion Bar Recipe. Make your very own Lotion Bars and Lip Balm with this easy step by step tutorial. Great DIY Gift Idea!
Active Time30 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Materials
- -Pure Cocoa Butter or Shea Butter
- -Pure Olive Oil
- -Essential Oil s.a. Lavender (optional) **
- -Beeswax
- -Lipstick to tint the lip balm (optional)
Tools
- -Molds, Lip Balm Tubes or Containers
- -Double boiler or heat resistant container s.a. Pyrex and saucepan
- -Measuring spoons
Instructions
- Gather your supplies
- Combine 1 part butter + 1 part oil + 1 part wax
- Melt all in the double boiler
- Pour the melted liquid into your containers
- Refrigerate
Notes
Note: Make sure the Essential Oils you use are specifically made for beauty products and not candles.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Caribbean Cacao Unrefined Cocoa Butter
Pure Beeswax 1lb Block Perfect for Crafting, Candle Making, and More!
Lagunamoon Essential Oils Top 6 Gift Set Pure Essential Oils for Diffuser, Humidifier, Massage, Aromatherapy, Skin & Hair Care
2 Ounce Metal Tin Cans, Empty Container Tin Cans, Refillable Spice Candle Tins for Gift Giving, Candle Making, Lip Balm
Related Homemade Beauty Recipes:
DIY Marbled Goat Milk Soap
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18 DIY Beauty Recipes and Handmade Gift Ideas
Easy Homemade Foaming Soap Recipe
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Homemade Lip Balm and Lotion Bar Recipe
About Annette Browning
Annette Browning is a long time fiber artist, specializing in dyeing yarn and fabric, eco printing and feltmaking.
Annette has over 20 years of experience in knitting, crochet and textile dyeing. She created her my own line of wool and alpaca blended yarn that she then hand dyed and sold in independent yarn shops and fiber festivals.
Annette has also taught classes and workshops in a variety of techniques including feltmaking, yarn dyeing and fabric crafts.
Her tutorials have been featured on Woman's Day, Porch, AARP and The Quilt Show.
Reader Interactions
Comments
- Becca Niederkrom says
Yup, I always look at the ingredients and avoid the ones with alcohol, parabens and the like. I love the lotion bars, so portable for traveling!
- Annette says
I’ve never understood why they put drying ingredients, like alcohol, in lotion! Makes no sense 🙂
- JoAnn says
Honestly, the only thing I have to say is that this is a very inspirational site. One of my favorite sayings and I am not sure who said it is “the only handicap is a bad attitude”. I am so glad that I stumbled on to it!
- Annette says
Oh, JoAnn you just made my day! What a sweet thing to say. And yes, that is also a great quote. Have a wonderful day!
Annette
- Anna says
These really look great. I’ve never tried making my own, but this doesn’t look too hard it would be fun to give it a try!
- Annette says
They are super easy to make! And a lot of fun to customize with scents and colors.
- Jann from Newton Custom Interiors says
This is a great tutorial! I will definitely be pinning!
- Annette says
Thanks Jann! Have a great weekend
- Hillari says
I bet these make great gifts! What do you recommend for storing the lotion bars? Do they hold well at room temp?
- Annette says
Since they don’t contain preservatives, they won’t last as long as store bought. I’ve been using one for a couple of months now and it seems just fine. Any extras, I put in the fridge. Just sniff and if it smells rancid or ‘off’, toss it.
- Your Feathered Friend says
This is great! I’ve been toying with making my own chapstick, but I wasn’t sure how to add a bit of color. Thank you!
- Annette says
Plain ole lipstick! Any color you want 🙂
- Linda at Mixed Kreations says
I’ve made the lotion bars before, but mine were a little grease. Guess I added too much oil or something. Need to try them again and try some lip balm. Pinning and sharing!
- Annette says
You can play around with the proportions of the ingredients. My first batch of lotion was too stiff so I had to add more oil, less wax. Thanks Linda! Have a great weekend 🙂
- Lesley says
These look gorgeous. We do our very best to stay away from chemicals for any reason in our home, so I am definitely pinning this for later. My 5 year old wore make-up for a dance performance on Saturday night and now she is obsessed. She’s asking me if she can wear make-up for everything we do, with the answer a resounding NO! This will be something we can make together I can feel happy about letting her wear, also providing quality mummy daughter time. So it’s a double whammy =). Thanks for sharing!
- Annette says
Oh boy, I had that with my youngest, too! You may be able to use the ‘colored’ lip balm as a rouge, too. That shouldn’t hurt. Thanks for visiting!
- Angie Nelson says
I love making my own potions. Beeswax is still a little scary to me, however. I look forward to trying it soon!
- Annette says
Beeswax is very easy to work with. It melts at a low temp so, not scary. Try it!
- simplelifemummy says
Been wanting to try some homemade beauty things for a while now, easy to follow instructions think I’ll be giving these a go!xx
- Annette says
Great! Let me know how it turns out.
- Christina @ Christina Chitwood Performance says
I absolutely love this! I’m such a big fan of making natural beauty recipes! Thank you for this great tutorial. 🙂
- Annette says
So glad you like it! It’s fun to make your own lotions and scrubs.
- Kathleen says
Very interesting. I am trying to avoid chemicals and I just getting around to thinking of making some of my own. Thanks so much for bringing this to Fridays Blog Booster Party.
Kathleen - Lauren says
I’m gonna have to start doing this! Thanks!
- Annette says
You’ll love it! It’s a lot of fun to experiment 🙂
- Erin J says
I love this and wonder if you have tried using coconut oil instead of the olive oil? Olive oil seems more greasy to me than coconut oil, but I wonder if the consistency of the coconut oil would work in the recipe.
- Annette says
Thanks Erin! I hear wonderful things about coconut oil but no, I have not tried it. Coconut is one food (and smell) that I absolutely can’t stand lolol! Wish I didn’t cause there are so many great recipes out there. If you try it, please let me know how it turns out.
Thanks for visiting 🙂
Annette
- tattoo designs says
I love this and wonder if you have tried using coconut oil instead of the olive oil? Olive oil seems more greasy to me than coconut oil, but I wonder if the consistency of the coconut oil would work in the recipe..
- Annette says
I’m sure that coconut oil would work just as well, perhaps better. Personally, honestly, I can’t stand coconut lol so no, I have not tried it.
Thanks for stopping by!
Annette
