Make Your Own — Lotion Bars
Making your own lotion is a great idea if your skin is sensitive as you can avoid irritating chemical preservatives. For the same reason, make sure to clean and sterilize all the equipment you use. It will prevent bacterial contamination. If you do want to add a natural preservative, add grapefruit seed extract in .5 – 5% of the lotion’s total volume.
All of these ingredients can be purchased from a health food, vitamin or craft store. Try this lotion bar suggestion for a great gift idea.
Lotion bars can be warmed up in your hands for use.
You’ll need:
1 Tbsp. grated beeswax
1 Tbsp. melted palm oil
1 Tbsp. melted cocoa butter
1 tsp. jojoba oil
2-3 drops from a vitamin E capsule
10 drops of perfumed essential fragrance oil
Melt together the wax, oils and cocoa butter. Remove from heat and slowly stir in the fragrance oil and vitamin E. Pour into a mold of your choice and allow to set. Freeze briefly for easier removal. Store covered or wrap in colored plastic or waxed paper and decorate as a gift.
Variation: 1 Tbsp. of Shea butter can be used to replace the palm and jojoba oils.
Make your own chamomile lotion.
Combine 2 Tbsp. strong chamomile tea, 1 Tbsp. coconut oil, ½ cup light sesame oil, 3 Tbsp. grated beeswax, 1 Tbsp. liquid lanolin, 1 Tsp. honey and 1/8 Tsp. baking soda in a pot and heat (without boiling!) until melted, then pour into a decorative jar. Ready to use when cool! (If using a microwave remember to use a microwave-safe dish.)