I’ve never understood why our skin is so dry in the winter here in the Pacific Northwest. I mean, the sidewalks and streets never even dry completely, and it doesn’t seem dry outside. Perhaps it’s just having the heat on in the winter that dries out the epidermis. In any event, I recently made more of these Lemon-Lavender Lotion Bars, and thought I would repost the directions, just in case your skin is in need of a little pampering.
When we lived in Kansas, a local honey farmer made the most wonderful lotion bars, using beeswax, that moisturized like nothing else I’ve ever tried. I gave making them myself a try last fall, and they turned out fabulously, if I do say so myself. And, always a bonus, they were much simpler and less expensive than I anticipated.
Supplies:
- 1 lb beeswax (in the candle-making section of craft stores)
- 1 lb. organic coconut oil (I found mine at Walmart, so it’s not rare!)
- 12 oz. cocoa butter with Vitamin E (also from Walmart)
- Essential oils, like lavender and lemon
Combine everything but the oils in the smallest size crockpot and heat on low until it’s all melted. Stir in desired essential oils, about 20 drops of each. I used both lemon and lavender in mine.
Line muffin tins with baking cups and ladle in about 1/2 inch of the melted lotion bars. Let harden, and remove from tin. I removed the baking cups, as well, but you can leave them on if you’d like. I smoothed the fluted edges of each bar using the back of a warm spoon, just to make them prettier.
Store in an airtight container. This yielded 24 bars, for about $20. The beeswax was the most expensive item, even with a 40% off coupon. The oils are a bit pricey, but you don’t use all of the bottle, or anywhere near, really. The cost is probably more like $12 if I prorated the oils. My point is, these are inexpensive to make, easy, and, most of all, fun!
For gift-giving, wrap the bars individually or stack them in a jar or bag, with waxed tissue paper or new baking cups in between.
This makes a really dense lotion that’s much too sticky for summer, but perfect for really dry winter skin.
Yep, they work great, smell great and feel great. Great job Megan. And great idea to post this. Now to find something as great for my nasal area.
Have you tried simmering eucalyptus oil in water to clear up your stuffiness? My mom always slathered us up with Mentholatum as we went to bed…but not something you’d want to wear to work!