How to Make Your Own Body Lotion Bars

Making moisturisers at home that are all natural and preservative-free can be quite hard indeed. This is because moisturisers contain a large amount of water. Any beauty product that contains water will mould very quickly. So how can this be prevented? By making lotion bars.

These products are based on oil and are solid. The beeswax will keep them firm, but there is only a small amount. Then, when the lotion bar is applied to the skin, it will melt on contact with your own body heat. Oil-based products have an advantage over water-based lotions because a smaller amount is needed to soften your skin. The only disadvantage is that if you apply too much lotion bar, your skin can become a little greasy while it tries to absorb into it all. But lotion bars are really worth the effort if you insist on a preservative-free, all natural product. And they are so easy they can be made at home.

Ingredients

• 100 grams Beeswax
• 250 grams Olive Oil
• 50 grams Sweet Almond Oil
• 50 grams Shea Butter
• Rose Geranium Essential Oil
• Vanilla Essence

Method

1. Melt the beeswax slowly in a pan on your stove top. The heavenly aroma of honey will fill your kitchen if the temperature is right. If your temperature is too high, the smell changes, almost to a burnt smell. This will not affect the end product though.
2. Turn off the heat now and add the olive oil, sweet almond oil and the shea butter. There should be enough heat generated by the melted Beeswax to melt the Shea Butter. If this is not the case, then turn the heat back on briefly to melt it.
3. Add the rose geranium essential oil and vanilla essence. Blend the scent to your own needs and likes. Some people prefer the more floral scent of the rose geranium to be the dominant scent; others prefer the warmer, more earthier scent of the vanilla. You must also decide whether you prefer the scent to be mild, or a heavier aroma that can double up as your daily perfume. Either way is fine; this is your lotion, and only you can decide which is better.
4. Now pour the lotion into appropriate jars. Large deodorant tubes are an excellent choice if you have them or can track some down easily. Otherwise, wide-topped jars can be used. Old hair gel containers are great; so are salsa dip jars. If you have nothing else, plastic Chinese food containers can be used. Your selection is only limited by your imagination.
5. Let the product set naturally or pop it into the refrigerator for a couple of hours before use. Because this is a natural product, it is important that it be stored somewhere cool and dark while not in use. It is also recommended this product be used within 12 months of opening. If the bars develop any odd smells, then discard the product immediately.

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