Lotion bars have become very popular because they’re composed of all-natural ingredients and utilize minimal packaging.
They are simple to make and are an absolute treat for the body.
Lotion bars are small and handy and you can take them anywhere with you.
What is a Lotion Bar?
A lotion bar is a combination of oils and butters formulated to moisturize the skin and encourage more supple skin.
A lotion bar is basically a body lotion in bar form. It’s great for dry itchy skin as the primary ingredient, beeswax, is a natural humectant.
The additional oils and butter provide a nourishing effect and keep moisture in longer.
If you have very dry skin or live in an environment with harsh winter and harmattan, then a lotion bar will be very beneficial for your skin.
How Long Do Homemade Lotion Bars Last?
Since there’s no water in a lotion bar, it would not melt rapidly. You can use one lotion bar for many months before you run out.
Keep your lotion bar stored properly to maximize its shelf life and keep it free from bacterial growth.
An ideal place to store a lotion bar could be a cosmetic tin like this one. And keep it in your bedroom, not the bathroom.
Though a lotion bar can last many months, if it smells iffy or looks funny at any point, discard immediately and make a new batch.
How to Use a Lotion Bar
After a shower, while your skin is still damp, rub the lotion bar all over your body then massage in with your palms until absorbed.
You can also rub it between your palms to melt and apply it to your skin.
DIY Lotion Bars for Gifting
What better way to get all the awesomeness of fall into your body care regimen than by creating your own pumpkin spice lotion bar?
You can also give these pumpkin spice lotion bars as a holiday gift. They can be packaged up in this very nice Christmas gift box.
These craft boxes already have ribbons and gift tags too so you don’t have to buy those separately.
You can also wrap them up individually in these pretty tins and finish with a cute label.
Your gift will end up looking like you spent a huge amount of money.
DIY holiday gifts are thoughtful and the recipient will continue appreciating your efforts long after the holidays are over.
I have included notes at the end of this recipe if you want to swap out any ingredients you don’t particularly care for.
Pumpkin Spice Lotion Bar Supplies
- 1.5 oz African shea butter. You can also use cupuacu butter, mango butter, or cocoa butter
- 1.5 oz coconut oil
- 1.5 oz pure white beeswax pellets
- 0.5 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 15 – 20 drops of pumpkin pie fragrance oil
- Kitchen scale
- Measuring cup – 4 cup capacity
- Pumpkin silicone mold
Pumpkin Spice Lotion Bar Directions
Step 1
Measure the beeswax pellets and natural butter into the measuring cup.
Microwave on high for 1 minute, remove and stir well. Add the coconut oil.
Repeat until everything is fully melted. The beeswax pellets will take the longest to melt.
Step 2
Once it’s fully melted, remove the measuring cup from the microwave, and add fragrance oil and pumpkin pie spice. Stir well.
Step 3
Pour the melted mix into the pumpkin silicone mold and place in the fridge for 30 – 40 minutes to firm up the bars.
Once firm, your DIY lotion bars are ready for personal use or for gifting. Just pop them out of the mold and you’re good to go.
Recipe Notes
You can swap the beeswax with soy wax.
If you don’t want a pumpkin pie fragrance, you can swap it out for pretty much any other kind of sweet-smelling oil.
I recommend lavender essential oil, jasmine absolute, cinnamon essential oil, and rosehip oil.
If you don’t like coconut oil, you can replace it with other oils suitable for dry skin such as jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, calendula oil, and castor oil.
You can add just a smidgen of paprika or turmeric powder to give the recipe an intense orangey-yellow color.
You can also use different silicone molds to create lotion bars for different occasions.
For instance, you can use a heart-shaped silicone mold for Valentine’s Day or a bunny-shaped silicone mold for Easter. The possibilities are endless.
I hope you enjoy gifting these pumpkin spice lotion bars to a friend or co-worker this holiday.
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