Melissa K. Norris
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Two lotion bars siting on a table.

How to Make Homemade Lotion Bars – Just 3 Ingredients

DIY Recipes & Tutorials, essential oils, Natural Medicine Cabinet, Skin Care

Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means I will earn a commission at no additional cost to you, if you click through and make a purchase. Regardless, I only link to products we use on our homestead or believe in.

Do you know what you're putting on skin? Learn how to make homemade lotion bars with just 3 ingredients so you don't have to worry about any weird chemicals or preservatives.

After undergoing an endoscope and biopsies on my esophagus and upper stomach six years ago (amen they came back cancer free) I took a good hard look at our home and food.

I researched GMO's, what was really in the processed foods at the store, and the use of pesticides on commercially grown crops.

We started raising our own food, making it from scratch to avoid pesticides and harmful processed ingredients, and using natural cleaners like the pioneers.

Want to use natural skin care but don't have tons of money or time? These 3 ingredient lotion bars take less than 10 minutes to whip up and use natural ingredients, you probably already have some of them in your kitchen. Grab this easy recipe and tutorial for hard lotion bars here

But, one area I didn't look into quite as deep or as soon was the products we put on our skin. Our skin can absorb toxins within seconds of exposure.

Have you looked at the ingredients in your tooth paste (we use an all natural brand, but you can even make your own), shampoo, laundry soap, deodorant, and lotions? There are some nasty things going on in most of the main stream products.

Lotion bars are a favorite of mine because they use simple natural ingredients and moisture my skin better than regular lotion. Score! Plus, the double as lip balm.

Resources for hard lotion bar recipe

This recipe is from The Made-From-Scratch Life: Simple Ways to Create a Natural Home. It's filled with simple old-fashioned tips and recipes like this from homemade beauty care to yummy eats in the kitchen.

Molds- these silicone muffin liners (there's also little rectangle ones) are great, but you may also line a small bread pan or box with parchment paper. Anything will work that is the right shape and you will be able to pop the hardened lotion bar from after it's cooled.

How to make homemade Lotion Bars

Coconut Oil (You can grab it here)

Shea Butter (this is a great price for organic shea butter and it will make tons of batches!)

Beeswax (pellets are easier for measuring)

Essential oil of lavender, lemongrass, or spearmint (optional)

Some of my favorite and most used essential oils are Lemon, Lavender, and Peppermint all combined for you in this special starter kit from Plant Therapy. Not only are their prices excellent but they show third party testing for purity on each oil along with their Kidsafe logo on all oils that known to be safe for use with kiddos.

  1. Using a food scale, weigh out equal amounts of beeswax, coconut oil, and shea butter. You’ll have an easier time using beeswax pellets for measuring. If purchasing your beeswax from a local beekeeper, you’ll most likely get a bar or chunk of beeswax, which makes it a tad bit harder for measuring, but still very doable.
  2. I use one and a quarter ounces of beeswax, coconut oil, and shea butter for a decent sized batch. Using a double boiler, or a small saucepan and a large glass measuring bowl, melt beeswax, coconut oil, and shea butter until it turns to a liquid. Remove from heat and add ten drops of essential oil. Note: make sure if you use essential oils in the recipe that the essential oils you use are of high quality and are safe for external use on the skin.
  3. Pour into molds. You can use soap molds, silicone cupcake liners, or even fill a small parchment paper-lined box. I used a plastic lid from a box of oval candles. The size just fits the palm of your hand. Whatever mold you use, make sure it’s something you can easily pop the hardened bars out of. Allow bars to harden overnight.
  4. Wipeout your measuring bowl while it’s still warm for easier cleaning and then wash with hot soapy water. I use the small amount of the lotion bars still clinging to the inside of the bowl to rub on my feet and elbows. Be sure to put socks on as the soles of your feet will be slippery until the lotion is all the way absorbed. Let’s say I learned that one the hard way…

You can also use this same recipe for lip balm. Pour into smaller containers or empty twist up lip balm tubes. In a pinch, I simply rub the lotion bar over my lips.

To create a natural home from the kitchen to the garden, barnyard, cleaning cabinet, and beauty products grab your bonuses and the Made-From-Scratch Life here

Want to use natural skin care but don't have tons of money or time? These 3 ingredient lotion bars take less than 10 minutes to whip up and use natural ingredients, you probably already have some of them in your kitchen. Grab this easy recipe and tutorial here
  • Pinterest pin with an image of various sized round tins stacked on top of each other, and tied with a bow. Text overlay reads "Homemade Peppermint Salve (for dry winter skin)".
  • Homemade soap tied with twine as gifts sitting on a table.

More Posts You May Like

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  • DIY Herbal Bentonite Clay Face Mask and Scrub
  • 5 Homemade Natural Cleaner Recipes (That Really Work!)
  • Homemade Peppermint Salve for Dry Skin
  • Homemade Soap with Natural Colorants and Tips
  • How to Make Soap at Home- Beginner’s Guide to Soap Making
  • Homemade DIY Bath Salt Recipe Use Herbs or Essential Oils
  • 3 Ingredient Homemade Lip Balm Recipe
  • 15 Homemade Natural Herbal Bath and Body Gifts
  • Why Makeup & Skincare Ingredients Matter
  • How to Host a Holiday Craft Party

Melissa Norris

Melissa K. Norris inspires people's faith and pioneer roots with her books, podcast, and blog. Melissa lives with her husband and two children in their own little house in the big woods in the foothills of the North Cascade Mountains. When she's not wrangling chickens and cattle, you can find her stuffing Mason jars with homegrown food and playing with flour and sugar in the kitchen.

Read more about Melissa

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Comments:

  1. Peter

    April 19, 2014 at 3:42 pm

    I only recently found your site and it seems to have a huge amount of great infomation, thank you.
    How close to a zero carbon footprint are you currently living? What was the single biggest thing you did to reduce your footprint?
    Do you think a negative footprint is possible?

    Reply
    • Crystal

      1 year ago

      Could I use olive oil or avocado oil in place of coconut oil? Almond oil?

      Reply
  2. Michelle

    8 years ago

    I just made this and I love it! I love the smell of Cocoa butter and I had a “safe” bottle of Tiramisu scent I added to it along with coffee beans. Winter came early and my hands needed this soo bad! It wasn’t greasy either. Thanks!

    Reply
  3. Denise

    February 8, 2016 at 3:04 pm

    I just finished reading “The Made From Scratch Life”. Honestly, I never expected it to be such a blessing to me. Thank you for sharing not only the tips and recipes, but your faith.
    I am planning on making these lotion bars this weekend. I would like to give them as gifts. What do you recommend for wrapping them? I want something that could hold up in a purse.

    Reply
    • Melissa Norris

      February 9, 2016 at 2:19 am

      For my purse, I’ve put it in a small baggie, but a used altiod tin works great! I’m so glad you enjoyed the book, Denise.

      Reply
    • Melissa Norris

      May 2, 2016 at 3:02 pm

      Denise,

      So sorry I just now saw this comment. I’ve used little tins (old altoid ones work), small tupperware containers, and even a plastic bag.

      Reply
  4. Deborah

    May 2, 2016 at 4:21 pm

    I love these. I’ve made some similar before. These are great and great for gift giving. Thank you Melissa. Even though I am much o.dermthan you, I learn so much from you! You are awesome. I have two of your books and gave one to my daughter. She was so excited.

    Reply
  5. Amanda

    7 years ago

    Thanks for this recipe. Looks healthy and easy to make. I was wondering if ice cube trays would work well for molds. Do you think the scent would leech into it?

    Reply
    • Melissa Norris

      May 3, 2016 at 4:07 am

      Amanda,
      Unless the ice cub tray is silicone, it would be hard to pop out the lotion bars once they’re hardened, you could try lining them with plastic wrap or parchment paper that would just lift out, and then it wouldn’t contact the tray and leech anything into it.

      Reply
  6. Martha

    May 5, 2016 at 12:08 pm

    The coconut oils I use melt pretty easily in my lower Alabama kitchen. Is there a difference in the one you purchase from Mountain rose herbs? As you can probably tell my concern is that my lotion bar will become lotion.

    Reply
    • Diane

      May 5, 2016 at 5:39 pm

      Coconut oil melts at around 76 degrees .That’s normal

      Reply
    • Melissa Norris

      7 years ago

      Martha,
      Coconut oil melts at 76 degrees, but when partnered with the shea butter and the beeswax which are solids, it doesn’t melt or get. Your body heat allows you to rub it on, but it doesn’t melt down to a liquid, just enough to rub into your skin.

      Reply
  7. How to Make Your Own 3 Ingredient Lotion Bars – Black Hair

    August 17, 2016 at 5:03 pm

    […] Read more From Source (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); […]

    Reply
  8. How to Make 3 Ingredient Lotion Bars! {video tutorial} - MadeOn Skin Care Products - Hard Lotion for Dry Skin

    November 20, 2016 at 3:18 am

    […] Norris of MelissaKNorris.com gave an excellent tutorial on Facebook Live, showing how to make lotion bars in less than 15 […]

    Reply
  9. Heather

    November 21, 2016 at 3:01 pm

    I love this recipe. I’m using it for Christmas gifts this year. I use an empty #10 can for my measuring and melting, then I don’t have to worry about cleaning out a bowl.

    Reply
    • Melissa Norris

      November 21, 2016 at 5:07 pm

      Heather,
      Brilliant! I like not having to clean. 🙂

      Reply
  10. Carole

    6 years ago

    I’m wondering how to store. I bought little tins to make them as gifts and they look perfect but will they melt or get ruined before Christmas? I put in fridge for now… ?

    Reply
    • Melissa Norris

      December 7, 2016 at 12:40 am

      Carole,
      No, they’ll be fine at room temperature and will last for months.

      Reply
  11. Amy

    December 12, 2016 at 3:41 pm

    Thanks, Melissa. I have not tried this particular recipe but the last one I tried for lotion bars, I noticed such a greasy feeling after using it. What has been your experience with these?

    Reply
    • Melissa Norris

      December 13, 2016 at 3:05 am

      Hey Amy,
      They take a little bit longer to absorb in than regular lotion, but I don’t find them really greasy per say. My guess is the previous batch you tried had a bit more coconut oil in it. You can always reheat and add a tad more beeswax if they’re too greasy, but I’ve found the 3 equal parts to work great for us.

      Reply
  12. Nancy Davis

    6 years ago

    My Coconut oil says organic but it doesn’t say pure, unrefined, cold pressed. Will it still work okay? Nancy

    Reply
    • Melissa Norris

      December 21, 2016 at 3:30 pm

      Nancy it should work just fine!

      Reply
  13. Wanda Vick

    June 5, 2017 at 2:01 pm

    Hi Melissa,
    I just read your soap recipe and I am going to try it. How many bars of soap does your recipe yield?
    Thanks,
    Wanda

    Reply
    • Melissa Norris

      June 5, 2017 at 4:19 pm

      It’s a lotion bar, not soap, and it depends upon the size of your containers you’re pouring it into.

      Reply
  14. Laura

    November 6, 2017 at 1:41 pm

    Hi Melissa,

    First, thank you for posting this video. I have watched it a few times before getting up the nerve to try to make it. I am wanting to learn to make soaps, scrubs, and bath bombs for my family and came across your website.

    I got all of the items and followed your instructions to make the lotion bars but I must have done something wrong lol. No beginners luck here so I was hoping you could help me. I mixed everything and poured it into the molds while still hot but for some reason, they separated. I wish I could add a photo on here. It looks like the shea butter is one layer and the oil is another. Could you tell me what I did wrong? Maybe I could send a photo to you? Thank you for your help!

    Reply
    • Melissa Norris

      November 6, 2017 at 3:58 pm

      Hi Laura, shoot me an email with the photo at [email protected] and we’ll see if we can figure it out. Good news, we can melt them again, so they’re not lost!

      Reply
      • Laura

        5 years ago

        Thank you! I have sent you an email.

        Reply
  15. Heidi

    5 years ago

    I am finally ready to dig in and make my own lotions. Right away I knew that I wanted to get my info from your site. I am more than happy to support you with the affiliate links, however, I was wondering if you actually use the brands you linked, or if you just picked a random selection. Is Amazon where you purchase your supplies? I’m also wondering about the scales, if you have the same one and personally recommend it. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Melissa Norris

      January 3, 2018 at 12:18 am

      Hi Heidi,

      This is the exact scale I use, I’ve had it three years and got it from Amazon, I use it for all my candle, soap, and lotion making. http://amzn.to/2ChhQGN

      Reply
    • Melissa Norris

      January 3, 2018 at 12:23 am

      I get my current beeswax from a local beekeeper, which is in blocks and not pellet form, I’ve had it for two years as I got quite a bit. I do purchase a lot of my supplies from Amazon, the coconut oil I use is from Coscto, the shea butter I get from Amazon (I updated the links to my most recent purchases of the same product as well). If I haven’t used the product from Amazon (in the case of the beeswax) then I do check descriptions and reviews before linking. Hope that helps!

      Reply
      • Heidi

        January 3, 2018 at 2:03 am

        Thank you!

        Reply
  16. Lesley

    January 30, 2018 at 5:21 am

    Just a silly note 🙂 I also luv asking these every! I’ve found my “Deviled Egg” (hard plastic) holder makes a great MOLD for these! One end very thin great for like cuticles etc and other end thicker…. I like using powdered (almost) oats and placing inside the mold, so when I pop out these a little exfoliant /moisture i fusion quality about itor can use lavender buds… can be so creative with cocoa butter & almond oi) great with orange or any citrus oils or peppermint!EO…. Fun! MOisture!

    Reply
    • Melissa Norris

      5 years ago

      Great tip, Lesley, thanks for sharing!

      Reply
  17. Lynnea

    5 years ago

    What do you store the lotion bars in? Especially if you want to keep them in your purse or for traveling?

    Reply
    • Melissa Norris

      March 20, 2018 at 4:10 am

      Small tins work well (old Altoid tins) or even a sandwich bag

      Reply
  18. Julie

    5 years ago

    how do i get on your email list?
    thanks

    Reply
    • Melissa Norris

      5 years ago

      Hi Julie, just go to the bottom of the page here and pop your email and name in the form! https://melissaknorris.com/

      Reply
  19. Lisa Rupkus

    July 8, 2018 at 6:10 am

    I tried making these and they did not stay solid. My temperature in the house was 74. Any ideas why?

    Reply
    • Melissa Norris

      5 years ago

      You can remelt and increase the beeswax, they should stay solid at 74 degrees.

      Reply
  20. Lynn

    December 11, 2018 at 2:54 pm

    I can’t wait to make this lotion for my sister’s. Would like more home made recipes to make.

    Reply
  21. Barb Rice

    4 years ago

    [email protected] .com
    Couldn’t get it right above. Just read your recipe for lotion bar and can’t wait to try it. I’m at my son’s house so can’t print right now. I have been trying to live a life as natural as possible for about 40 years. Grow as much as I can. Raise goats for milk, cheese and occasional meat. Enjoyed your fb post and followed you here from that. Glad there are folks like you still trying to live simple lives.

    Reply
  22. Teresa

    4 years ago

    I have found that using equal amounts of ingredients yields a bar that is too soft. It may be because I live in Florida. I doubled the beeswax, and they are perfect!

    Reply
  23. DEBORAH D SYKES

    4 years ago

    I Love these lotion bars Thanks Melissa

    Reply
  24. Lucinda

    August 21, 2019 at 5:09 pm

    Hello, I’m wondering what or if I can substitute for the coconut oil in this recipe. I’m very sensitive to it. Thanks for sharing your recipe and for your help!

    Lucinda

    Reply
    • Melissa Norris

      3 years ago

      You can cocoa butter or increase the shea butter in place of the coconut oil

      Reply
  25. Mary

    3 years ago

    Just made lotion bars!
    I’m a beekeeper so it is just a perfect diy project!
    Thanks for sharing.❤️

    Reply
  26. Elle

    3 years ago

    Great product to make or gift. Thx Melissa. Your a great teacher..
    Would love to find ingredients to make it as a salve for itchy bites which are so prevalent down here in Australia at the moment ( Spring)
    Elle

    Reply
  27. Patricia J Ferguson

    November 5, 2019 at 3:21 am

    Daughter-in-law is allergic to coconut. Is there anything I can use in its place?

    Reply
    • Melissa Norris

      3 years ago

      Yes, you can use olive oil (might need to increase the beeswax slightly) or try cocoa butter.

      Reply
  28. Elizabeth

    November 8, 2019 at 5:25 pm

    Thank you. I follow you regularly and appreciate your information. If I wanted to use Vit. E and aloe how much would I use.

    Reply
  29. Theresa

    May 2, 2020 at 3:31 pm

    What could be a substitute for beeswax? I have a problem with honey.

    Reply
    • Hana

      May 7, 2020 at 6:27 am

      I too want to try these but a vegan version would be amazing (without beeswax) is there an alternative you can suggest Melissa?

      Reply
      • Melissa Norris

        3 years ago

        You could try some other type of wax I’ve never used anything else so I don’t know of a tried and true alternative

        Reply
  30. Rebeccca L Heim

    3 years ago

    Hi Melissa,

    I love this recipe and the lotion bars are amazing! I’m learning so much from you and I’m so grateful that you are willing to share your knowledge!

    The link the the shea butter on Amazon says it is actually a shea and cocoa butter combination and in the comments purchasers have said it has a strong chocolate scent. Is that the actual product you use or has the link changed since it’s been posted?

    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Melissa Norris

      3 years ago

      That’s the exact one I purchased and you get a block of each (one is shea and one is cocoa) the cocoa butter does have a chocolate scent as it’s cocoa butter, the shea doesn’t.

      Reply
  31. donna

    2 years ago

    I have 14 grandchildren. 7 girls and 7boys along with 9 great grandchildren and Christmas is always a challenge for me as I am on a budget. making the lotion bars is so exciting for me because only 3 ingredients and its takes no time. my girls will love them.i have been searching for quick and easy recipes like bath bombs and facial scrubs and just something for the ladies and also my young girls also. thank you for the tutorial….

    Reply
  32. Tammara

    December 7, 2020 at 3:14 pm

    THe link to post to Pinterest does not seem to work,

    Reply
  33. Amy

    December 10, 2020 at 1:16 pm

    Isn’t this stuff fun? I’ve been making my own foot salve for years using my own recipe which is very close to yours, but the consistency turns out somewhat too soft to keep its shape from a mold. I use the 4 oz. mason jars for gifting it. LOVE homemade skin care. It makes such a difference for dry, chapped, and irritated skin. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  34. Wendy

    December 13, 2020 at 1:59 pm

    thanks for showing the way to many of us wishing to return to the earth.

    Reply
  35. Cheri

    December 13, 2020 at 3:12 pm

    I want to try this

    Reply
  36. Sarah

    2 years ago

    Hey! I just got on your site recently and am excited to make some of the homemade goodies! Can you add coco butter to these lotion bars? I just have some and want to use it in something. Thank you in advance!!!

    Reply
    • Melissa Norris

      December 28, 2020 at 12:33 pm

      Yes, you can use it in place of the shea butter

      Reply
  37. Lucas Dromgoole

    2 years ago

    creation is changing

    Reply
  38. SG

    September 25, 2021 at 7:22 am

    Thanks. This is great. I would like to try other essential oils. What oils would be a bad idea?

    Reply
  39. Norma Jean Schleck

    1 year ago

    Made 2 batches of the lotion bars today. Love them. My thought was to make them as gifts but I have to keep one for me. I made them with cocoa butter. Love the scent. Thanks for the recipe. I used my “mini-dipper” crock pot. It worked great.

    Reply
  40. Deborah Kilgore

    April 12, 2022 at 9:29 am

    Just found your site. So far, love everything!

    Reply
  41. Lorene

    May 6, 2022 at 10:38 am

    Is there something to add to this lotion to make it work as a sunscreen product as well? Thank you for sharing so much Information with us.

    Reply
  42. Bethany

    May 31, 2022 at 3:17 pm

    Hello! I am trying to figure the price of each recipe. About how many recipes can you make with the ingredients listed above?
    Thanks,
    Bethany

    Reply
  43. Bethany

    May 31, 2022 at 3:19 pm

    Hello! I am trying to figure the price of each recipe. About how many recipes can you make with the ingredients listed above?
    Thanks,
    Bethany Nelson

    Reply
  44. Leanne

    November 2, 2022 at 12:17 pm

    I have been following your blog for a few weeks now. I have been making lotion bars for several years now. I started when I had an issue with my skin that didn’t respond to anything store bought! No lotion helped. Sometimes I had intense itching and nothing worked to stop it. I also had open sores due to the itching/scratching. Turns out I have eczema. The only thing that helped was my homemade lotion bars! I make two kinds – one kind just for dry skin like your bar recipe but I don’t put any essential oil in mine – again it is just for dry skin. I also make one for healing where I add tea tree oil. When I make the healing bars, I don’t measure out the tea tree oil by drops but add until I can smell the tea tree oil. It helps heal cracked and peeling skin and can give me relief within a day or so.

    Reply
    • Lisa

      December 18, 2022 at 5:39 pm

      Looking for shampoo and laundry recommendations

      Reply

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