How to Make Herbal Lotion Bars

[Amy K. Fewell]

I had never heard of lotion bars when I first started researching for herbal products that help with dry skin. But when I finally did discover them, I was hooked. Not only are lotion bars extremely efficient in healing dry skin, but they are extremely easy to make. The best part is that you can create lotion bars with specific herbs to help whatever skin soothing needs you may have. These are great herbal products to make in batches to give away during the holidays, birthdays, or just as a little gift!

Preparing to Make Herbal Lotion Bars​

A lot of people love lotion, but need some extra TLC when it comes to skin care. That’s where lotion bars come in. They have all the healthy benefits of lotion, but instead of just soaking directly into the skin, they also seal in that moisture since they are beeswax based. You simply rub the lotion bar on a dry area of the skin that needs extra attention. This works well for rough elbows, heels and feet, and knees. The heat from your body naturally begins to “melt” the lotion bar as it soaks into your skin.

Lotion bars look a lot like soap, but aren’t used in the same way. However, the awesome part is that lotion bars are ten times easier to make than soap bars! While lotion bars are easy to make, there are a few things you’ll need to learn how to do do to prep to make your lotion bars.

How to Make an Infused Oil​

One of the ingredients in lotion bars is infused oils. These are oils that you can make once and keep on hand for quite awhile. They are simple and straight forward to make, and can be stored in your pantry for up to a year.

There are two ways to make an infused oil, the long way, and the quick way. I always choose the quick way because I never know when I’m going to need an infused oil quickly.

1. Measure out your dried herbs and oil into a mason jar. Make sure you are using a 1:5 ratio when measuring (example: 1 ounce herb to 5 ounces oil). Use oils like jojoba, sweet almond, or olive oil. You can crush up your herbs to make the oil cover them more completely if necessary.
2. Turn your oven to 300 degrees. Once it reaches temperature, turn the oven off and place your jars of herbs and oil (uncovered) into the oven. Allow to set in the closed oven for 3 hours.
3. Once the 3 hours passes, remove the jars from the oven and drain the oil into a new, clean jar, separating the herbs from the oil as much as possible through a mesh strainer or cheese cloth.
4. Once your oils have cooled, cap and store until ready to use.

If you prefer to try the long way, simply add your dried herbs and oil to a mason jar, cap tightly, shake, and set in a window sill for 4 weeks. Make sure you shake the jar twice a day to ensure the herbs are infusing well into the oils. When ready, strain and store.

How to Make Herbal Lotion Bars​

Now that you know how to make infused oils, you’re ready to make your lotion bars! Here are a few of my favorite recipes. You’ll notice that most of them are the same with measurements, but different ingredients and herbal uses. Feel free to mix and match your own herbs to create your own scents and herbal lotion bars!

Skin-Healing Lavender and Calendula Lotion Bars​

• 1/2 oz lavender-infused oil
• 1/2 oz calendula-infused oil
• 1 oz cocoa butter
• 1 oz beeswax

Method:

1. In a double boiler, combine all ingredients until completely melted.
2. Pour into square molds or a muffin pan. Allow to cool until completely hard (a couple of hours).
3. Pop bars out, wrap in paper or put in a sealed container, and label. Use within one year.

Chamomile and Honey Soothing Lotion Bars​

• 1 oz chamomile-infused oil
• 1 oz cocoa butter
• 1 oz beeswax
• 1 tbsp raw honey

Method:

1. In a double boiler, combine infused oil, cocoa butter, and beeswax until completely melted.
2. Remove from heat and quickly mix in raw honey.
3. Pour into square molds or a muffin pan. Allow to cool until completely hard (a couple of hours).
4. Pop bars out, wrap in paper or put in a sealed container, and label. Use within 6–8 months.

Citrus and Mint Lotion Bars​

If you don’t want to use peppermint in this recipe, swap out the sweet almond oil with a spearmint-infused oil.

• 1 oz sweet almond oil
• 1 oz shea butter
• 1 oz beeswax
• 5 drops tangerine essential oil
• 3 drops peppermint essential oil

Method:

1. In a double boiler, combine oil, shea butter, and beeswax until completely melted.
2. Remove from heat and quickly add essential oils. Mix well.
3. Pour into square molds or a muffin pan. Allow to cool until completely hard (a couple of hours).
4. Pop bars out, wrap in paper or put in a sealed container, and label. Use within one year.

How to Make Herbal Infused Oil for Salves and Herb Products

Pain-Soothing Lotion Bars​

This lotion bar is great to keep on hand for aching skin, though not necessarily broken skin. It’s especially great for feet that are aching after a long day.

• 1/2 oz cayenne-infused sweet almond oil
• 1/2 oz arnica-infused sweet almond oil
• 1 oz shea butter
• 1 oz beeswax

Method:

1. In a double boiler, combine all ingredients until completely melted.
2. Pour into square molds or a muffin pan. Allow to cool until completely hard (a couple of hours).
3. Pop bars out, wrap in paper or put in a sealed container, and label. Use within one year.

Find the 100% Handmade Molds HERE and HERE

I hope you enjoy these herbal lotion bars as much as I do. They are one of my favorite herbal products to make and giveaway each year, and they always smell so good!

If you’d like more herbal product recipes, check out my book, The Homesteader’s Herbal Companion for these recipes and more!

How to Make An Herbal Salve

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