Lotion bars

I try to purchase lotions for our skin that don't have any paraben or other ingredients that I can't pronounce or know what they are on the label.  This is a very difficult task because most lotions on the market have all kinds of extra "stuff"  in them.  You have to go to the natural foods or organic section of the store to find some of these lotions.  I have found that you still have to be an informed consumer even there.  Make sure you read the labels and know what you are buying.  I have settled on Kiss My Face Do what Comes Natural lotions.  However, I have made body butter in the past from 4 or 5 natural ingredients and found a recipe on the Internet for lotion bars that seemed so easy so we tried it.

The reason this is so important to us is that your skin is the largest organ you have and whatever you put on your skin absorbs into (and through) your body very quickly.  If you don't believe me, put a clove of garlic or some mint essential oil between your toes and see if you taste it on your tongue within seconds.  Thus, whatever you put on your skin doesn't just sit there, it medicates your body.  Enough of that, here is what we did for the lotion bars.

The recipe is really simple.  It is basically 2 parts oil to 1 part beeswax and scent.  We used Bergamot and Fennel for this first recipe because that is what I had out and on hand.  The possibilities are endless.

I did weigh the ingredients on a scale to be accurate.

2 oz. Grapeseed oil
2 oz. Shea Butter
2 oz. Beeswax (shaved or cut in small pieces is better for melting)

20 drops Bergamot and 10 drops Fennel

Bergamot EO~ Good for psoriasis when applied directly to the and also for tumors caused by fungal infections, for pigment and also good as an insecticide against lice and other parasites.

Fennel EO~Good for oily skin, wrinkles, digestive problems, and obesity.

Put the oils and beeswax in a heavy pan and melt slowly until all incorporated together.  If you are going to be making more lotions and bars it may be good to get a pan and wooden spoon that you use just for this.
Once they are melted add the EO's and stir in.  Pour into molds of your choice.  We used muffin tins.  Once mixture is poured into the mold let sit (we put it in the fridge for a few minutes) to firm up.  Un-mold and get ready to use.

Our Conclusions:  The lotion bar is a bit oily/sticky feeling when you put it on but it does soak in.  The beeswax gave it a strong honey scent which is ok but not what we were going for.  Next time I might use a lighter scented wax.  We are glad that we can make this but think we are going to work on perfecting a body butter or lotion that is less honey smelling and lighter feeling on our skin.