The Beauty of DIY Lotion Bars
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There’s something timeless and comforting about using simple, handmade products—especially when they nurture the body and soul. Lotion bars have become a staple in our home for that very reason. They're solid, mess-free, and deeply moisturizing, and they capture everything we love about simple living: sustainability, self-sufficiency, and care.
If you've never tried a lotion bar before, you're in for a treat. These little wonders are made from natural butters, oils, and waxes that melt into your skin with body heat, sealing in moisture without the fuss of pumps or preservatives and the waste of a plastic bottle. And best of all? They’re incredibly easy to make at home.
Lotion bar!
Why Lotion Bars?
Here’s why we keep a basket of them by the sink, bedside, and in our winter coat pockets:
1. Deep Moisture Without the Chemicals
Lotion bars are free from water, which means no need for synthetic preservatives. You get only the good stuff—pure oils and butters that actually feed your skin.
2. Perfect for Dry, Cracked Hands
Gardening, dishwashing, and working outdoors takes a toll on our skin. These bars are especially soothing for hardworking hands, elbows, heels, and even chapped lips in a pinch.
3. Eco-Friendly & Travel-Friendly
No plastic bottles, no leaking in your bag. They travel well and last much longer than conventional lotions. I store mine in reusable aluminum tins.
4. Customizable Scents & Herbs
You can infuse them with your favorite essential oils or dried herbs from your own garden. Lavender, calendula, rose petals, or a hint of sweet orange—anything that speaks to you.
Just out of the mold.
🧼 Rustic Roots Lotion Bar Recipe
Here’s our tried-and-true recipe. It yields about 4–6 small bars, depending on the molds you use.
Ingredients:
1 part beeswax pastilles (or grated beeswax)
1 part shea butter, cocoa butter, or a blend of both
1 part carrier oil (like coconut oil, sweet almond oil, or olive oil) I usually use coconut oil.
Optional: 10–20 drops of essential oils (lavender, rosemary ,frankincense or rose are lovely)
Optional: 1 tsp vitamin E oil (for skin healing and as a natural preservative)
Optional: dried calendula petals, lavender buds, or rose petals
Note: “1 part” can be any measurement you like—1/2 cup, 1/4 cup, etc.—as long as you keep the ratios the same.
Recipe card a label for you!
Instructions:
Melt the beeswax, butter(s), and carrier oil together in a double boiler over low heat. Stir gently until completely liquified.
Remove from heat, cool slightly and add your essential oils, vitamin E, and any botanicals (if using). Stir to combine.
Pour into silicone molds or metal tins. If using molds, make sure they’re on a flat surface for even cooling.
Let cool completely until solid. You can pop them in the fridge to speed up the process.
Store in a cool, dry place. Wrap in wax paper or tuck into small tins for easy gifting. They are good for a year.
Just poured. Still warm!
A Final Thought from my kitchen
There’s something lovely about the ritual of applying a lotion bar—warming it between your hands and breathing in the scent as it melts into your skin. It reminds us to slow down, take a moment, and care for ourselves with the same intention we put into our gardens and kitchens.
Whether you’re making these for yourself or tucking them into gift baskets, lotion bars are a perfect example of how simple ingredients and a little care can create something truly wonderful.
— From our hands to yours, at Rustic Roots & Simple Living
Roxanne
