Creating your own lotion bars is a wonderful way to nourish your skin with natural ingredients, without any greasy residue. Unlike traditional lotions that can leave your hands feeling oily, lotion bars are solid, easy to apply, and absorb quickly, making them perfect for on-the-go moisturizing.
Whether you have dry patches, sensitive skin, or just want a luxurious hand care routine, these non-greasy lotion bar recipes will leave your skin feeling silky smooth and hydrated.
In this post, we’ll explore multiple recipes that combine nourishing butters, oils, and waxes to create the perfect balance of moisturizing power and lightness. You’ll find easy-to-follow instructions, tips to customize your bars, and ideas to make them your own.
Ready to whip up your own spa-quality lotion bars? Let’s dive in!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These lotion bars are designed to provide deep hydration without the oily finish that many homemade lotions can leave behind. Using a blend of beeswax and light carrier oils, they melt upon contact with your skin, delivering moisture precisely where you need it.
Because the bars are solid, they are mess-free and travel-friendly, fitting nicely in your purse or gym bag. They’re also customizable with your favorite essential oils for a subtle scent or without for those with sensitive skin.
Best of all, these recipes use simple, natural ingredients that you likely already have or can easily find, making this a budget-friendly skincare solution.
Ingredients
- Beeswax pellets – 1/2 cup (provides structure and helps solidify the bar)
- Shea butter – 1/4 cup (deeply moisturizing, but not greasy)
- Cocoa butter – 1/4 cup (adds firmness and a mild chocolate scent)
- Fractionated coconut oil – 1/4 cup (lightweight, non-greasy carrier oil)
- Jojoba oil – 2 tablespoons (mimics skin’s natural oils and absorbs quickly)
- Essential oils (optional) – 10-15 drops (lavender, peppermint, or citrus are popular choices)
- Vitamin E oil – 1 teaspoon (natural preservative and skin nourisher)
Equipment
- Double boiler or heat-safe bowl and saucepan (for melting ingredients gently)
- Spoons or spatulas (for stirring)
- Molds (silicone molds work best for easy removal)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Storage container or wrap (to keep bars fresh)
Instructions
- Prepare your double boiler: Fill a saucepan with about two inches of water and bring it to a simmer. Place a heat-safe bowl on top, ensuring it doesn’t touch the water.
- Combine beeswax, shea butter, and cocoa butter: Add the beeswax pellets, shea butter, and cocoa butter to the bowl. Stir occasionally as they melt together into a smooth liquid.
- Add carrier oils: Once fully melted, remove the bowl from heat and stir in the fractionated coconut oil and jojoba oil.
- Mix in vitamin E and essential oils: Add the vitamin E oil and your choice of essential oils. Stir thoroughly to distribute the scent and skin benefits evenly.
- Pour into molds: Carefully pour the warm mixture into your prepared molds. Be cautious as the mixture will still be hot.
- Let cool and harden: Allow the lotion bars to cool at room temperature or in the refrigerator until completely solid.
- Remove and store: Pop the bars out of the molds and store them in a dry, cool place or a sealed container to maintain freshness.
- To use: Rub the bar gently between your hands or directly onto dry skin. The warmth of your skin will melt the bar slightly, releasing moisturizing oils.
Tips & Variations
“If you want an even lighter feel, substitute fractionated coconut oil for regular coconut oil, which is thicker and greasier at room temperature.”
- Customize your scent: Try blending essential oils like lavender and chamomile for calming effects or peppermint and eucalyptus for a refreshing zing.
- For sensitive skin: Omit essential oils or choose gentle options like rose or calendula.
- Change texture: Add a tablespoon of arrowroot powder or cornstarch to reduce any stickiness and increase smoothness.
- Use different butters: Mango or kokum butter can be great alternatives to cocoa or shea butter, offering unique scents and textures.
- Packaging ideas: Wrap bars in wax paper or store in tins to keep them clean and portable.
Nutrition Facts
| Ingredient | Skin Benefit | Texture Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Beeswax | Protects skin, locks in moisture | Hardens bar, prevents greasiness |
| Shea Butter | Hydrates, anti-inflammatory | Soft, creamy texture |
| Cocoa Butter | Moisturizes, improves elasticity | Firm, adds slight scent |
| Fractionated Coconut Oil | Lightweight moisturizer | Non-greasy, fast absorption |
| Jojoba Oil | Mimics skin oils, balances skin | Light, silky finish |
| Vitamin E Oil | Antioxidant, skin repair | Preserves bar, slight emollient |
Serving Suggestions
- Keep a lotion bar by your bedside table for an overnight moisturizing boost.
- Carry one in your handbag for quick hand hydration throughout the day.
- Gift them as thoughtful, homemade presents wrapped in pretty wax paper and tied with twine.
- Use on elbows, knees, and heels for extra dry spots that need intensive care.
- Apply after showering when skin is still slightly damp to lock in moisture.
Conclusion
Making your own non-greasy lotion bars is an enjoyable and rewarding way to care for your skin naturally. With simple ingredients like beeswax, shea butter, and lightweight oils, you can create a moisturizing bar that absorbs quickly and leaves no oily residue.
These bars are versatile, long-lasting, and customizable, making them ideal for personal use or as gifts.
Experiment with different essential oils and butters to discover your perfect combination. Plus, the mess-free solid format means you can moisturize anywhere, anytime.
Ready to explore more homemade skincare? Try our DIY Lip Balm Recipes or soothe your skin with our Natural Body Scrub Recipes.
For a complete routine, check out our Homemade Facial Mask Recipes.
📖 Recipe Card: Non-Greasy Lotion Bar
Description: A smooth and moisturizing lotion bar that absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy residue. Perfect for daily use to keep skin soft and hydrated.
Prep Time: PT10M
Cook Time: PT15M
Total Time: PT25M
Servings: 4 bars
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup beeswax pellets
- 1/4 cup shea butter
- 1/4 cup cocoa butter
- 1/4 cup fractionated coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon sweet almond oil
- 10 drops lavender essential oil
- 5 drops tea tree essential oil
Instructions
- Melt beeswax, shea butter, and cocoa butter in a double boiler.
- Stir in fractionated coconut oil and sweet almond oil until combined.
- Remove from heat and add essential oils.
- Pour mixture into silicone molds.
- Let cool and harden at room temperature for 1 hour.
- Remove bars from molds and store in a cool, dry place.
Nutrition: Calories: 120 | Protein: 0g | Fat: 13g | Carbs: 0g
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