These Body Butter Bars—also known as solid lotion or lotion bars—are
easy and fun to make. They work like typical body butters, but in a bar
form. They melt with the heat of your skin, so all you need to do is rub
one over dry skin like you would a bar of soap; it leaves behind a rich and
lovely moisturizing layer on your skin. Unlike lotion, these bars don’t have
a water element, so they don’t need a chemical preservative. They’re
great as a daily moisturizer and for massage. Leave them unscented and
they work wonders for combating stretch marks on pregnant bellies.
These Body Butter Bars can be packaged up very nicely as gifts or party
favors.
YIELDS: 7 ounces
2 tablespoons grated beeswax
⁄ cup shea butter
⁄ cup coconut oil (virgin or unscented)
⁄ cup sweet almond oil
4 vitamin E capsules
Essential oil blend
What you will need: double boiler, measuring cups, rubber spatula,
push-up tubes
1. To Make: Start the double boiler on medium heat. Once it reaches a boil,
reduce heat to simmer. Place the beeswax, shea butter, and coconut oil in
the top of the double boiler and cover. Simmer until melted, stirring
occasionally. To preserve the beneficial botanicals, do not overheat.
Remove from heat, take the top pan off the double boiler, and cool 5–10
minutes. Add the sweet almond oil. Pierce the vitamin E capsules and
squeeze the liquid out into the melted oil, discarding the gel caps. Add the
essential oil blend and stir well, scraping any of the hardened cooled
mixture off the sides and back into the melted oils. If the mixture hardens
too much before you can pour it, gently melt it again in the double boiler.
Pour into the lotion tubes and let stand undisturbed for 4 hours or overnight
before use.
2. To Store: Label and use within 1 year. Store out of direct sunlight.
3. To Use: Solid lotion bars will melt on contact with your warm skin,
allowing you to apply just the right amount of moisturizer, exactly where
you need it. Rub it into your cuticles and the cracks in your hands, elbows,
and feet. Apply to dry skin as needed.
HELPFUL HINTS
You can make this recipe into bars (like soap) instead of the push-up
tubes. Follow the directions given. Pour the melted butter into an ice
cube tray, silicone mold, or a loaf pan lined with wax paper. Let stand
at least 4 hours before moving. The hardened bars should easily pop
out of the molds. If not, place in the freezer for 10 minutes, then
carefully run hot water on the backside of the mold. Quickly dry it off
with a towel and twist the mold to remove. If you chose a loaf pan,
use a warm knife to cut the bars at least 1” thick. Store these lotion
bars in metal tins, wrapped in foil, or in a glass jar.
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