Toxic Free DIY Mini Series: Lotion Bars

This is part 3 of the Toxic Free DIY Mini Series. So far we’ve learned to make a simple sugar scrub and herbal shampoo.

Have you ever noticed that when you use your body lotion your skin never stays moist and you find yourself going back to the lotion bottle over and over? Look at the ingredients in your lotion and see if your lotion contains isopropyl alcohol and/or mineral oil. Both of these actually are very drying to your skin.

The alcohol gives a temporary sense of coolness due to evaporation. Mineral oil is found in lotions, soaps, baby oil, cosmetics, and motor oil. Mineral oil is a clear, liquid oil with no scent and will not spoil. It is very inexpensive because it is produced as a byproduct of the distillation of gasoline from crude oil. It is great for oiling your wooden cutting boards-but not your skin. Mineral oil does not penetrate to soften. It is difficult to absorb, coats your skin, and clogs the pores.

If you would like to have healthy skin, stay away from mineral oils, petroleum, and synthetic oil based skincare. Lab created oils clog pores, aggravate acne, trigger allergic reactions, and makes the skin feel heavy and greasy. Remember, the skin is the body’s largest organ and it needs to breathe as part of its important role in maintaining overall health! Also, the high water content of liquid lotions can further dry and irritate the skin as evaporation takes place.

Lotion bars are a unique and fun way to moisturize your body
Use lotion bars as you would any lotion - they’re just solid, not liquid. To use, hold the bar between your hands until it begins to soften to the touch. Massage the lotion bar onto your hands for a few seconds, and let the wonderful oils soak in. Your hands will feel so good! When you use your lotion bar for the first time you might think your hands feel oily-please wait a minute or two. All of the oils will quickly absorb into your skin-for the softest skin ever. Lotion bars are made with natural oils that will not simply grease and coat the surface of your skin. Even better they are so simple to make and require such few ingredients you will never want to go back to traditional lotion again!

The few things you will want to buy (luckily only once because the supplies will last forever, you will only have to replenish ingredients) is a simple silicone or heat safe plastic mold

in whatever shape and size you desire (I prefer small shapes that fit nice in the hand and are good for travel).

You can start by making the lotion bars in a pot that you want to designate for this and a simple funnel

or you can purchase a small metal pouring pot (usually around $10 or less at craft store or online) and use this in a pot with water which is the double boiler method of heating.

Here is the recipe, its so simple really… One part is 1/4 cup to fill one full tray but this will vary. You can use smaller amounts too just as long as you follow the equal parts on the recipe.

DIY Lotion Bars

• 1 part beeswax (find it here)
• 1part coconut oil (find it here)
• 1/2 part butter of choice (mango, shea or cocoa) **Cocoa butter is my favorite!
• 1/2 part nutrient rich oil of choice (I love almond or avocado but olive oil is just fine!)
• 1 tsp essential oil of choice (my personal favorites for this are lavender or peppermint)

Directions:

1. Melt the beeswax first, add the rest of the oils
2. When fully melted, add essential oil last
3. Pour while liquid into tray
4. Allow to cool and harden (you can put tray in fridge to speed up the process)
5. Pop out lotion bars and put in small containers with lids.

I keep these in my purse, in my bathroom and around the house. I use them mostly on my hands and arms but sometimes as a lip gloss and great full body moisturizer. Enjoy!

Stay tuned for next week’s for Plantain Salve recipe!

Guest Post by Pamela Yachdav

This post is part of: Thank Goodness Its Monday, Fat Tuesdays, Family Table Tuesday, Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays, Traditional Tuesdays, Healthy Tuesdays, Titus 2sday, Backyard Farming Connection, Teach Me Tuesdays, Anti-Procrastination Tuesdays, Gathering Spot, Tasty Tuesday, Tutorial Tuesday, EcoKids Tuesday, Real Food Wednesday, Frugal Days Sustainable Ways, Healthy 2day Wednesday, Wicked Awesome Wednesday, Party Wave Wednesdays, Fresh Food Wednesday, Whole Food Wednesdays, The Mommy Club, Fight Back Friday, Small Footprint Friday