These easy to make Sweet Orange and Vanilla Lotion Bars are a great way to moisturise your skin, using all natural ingredients. You can quickly whip up a batch at home to add your your skin-are routine, or even use them as a gift for that someone special.
Sweet Orange and Vanilla Lotion Bars
These lotion bars are great to have on hand for moisturising. This same, easy to make recipe could also be used to make lotion bars in tubes for a different way to apply. Instead of using a mould, pour the liquid into tins or lip balm/deodorant tubes and label.
Lotion bars are great for helping cases of dry, cracked skin and with the added addition of orange essential oil, they also smell great.
Vanilla Essential Oil
Vanilla essential oil is very different from vanilla extract that is used in baking. These two cannot be interchanged in this recipe as the results won’t be the same.
With that being said, there is no pure vanilla essential oil. You may find it is called vanilla absolute or oleoresin.
This vanilla essential oil can be used or this Vanilla one, or try using Peru Balsam Essential Oil which creates a lovely vanilla scent while providing some great benefits including helping with dry, cracked skin and minor cuts and scrapes. You can also make your own vanilla infused oil to use.
What exactly is a lotion bar?
A lotion bar is a great alternative to a liquid water-based body lotion. They contain oil and are solid which makes them great for the whole family to use. They are also very cost effective since they melt on contact with your skin, therefore less of the bar is used.
Using Lotion Bars
When ready to use, simply rub the lotion bar on your body and allow it to absorb into your skin. I love to use it in the morning after my shower.
Storing Lotion Bars
Store in an airtight container, out of direct sunlight, in a cool room for up to one year.
These lotion bars will stay solid, though they may start to melt in hot temperatures. If you are in a warmer climate, you may need to keep the bars in the fridge.
Tips
- If they come out a little to greasy, then try increasing the amount of shea butter while decreasing the amount of oil.
- If your lotion bars come out a little sticky, remelt and add more oil to the mixture.
- Store these lotion bars at room temperature in a glass jar or metal tin. Though if you live in a very hot climate, you may need to put them in the fridge in the warmer months of the year.
- These lotion bars will last up to one year.
- Be careful when using essential oils as some essential oils are phototoxic. Make sure to do your research first and use with extreme care. Phototoxic essential oils can cause negative reactions on your skin in sunlight—such as burning, blistering, or discolouration. Sweet orange essential oil is not considered phototoxic at the time of writing this.
Making Lotion Bars
- 3 ounces Shea Butter
- 3 ounces coconut oil
- 3 ounces Beeswax Pellets
- 15 drops of sweet orange essential oil
- 7 drops of vanilla essential oil
- ⅛ tsp orange mica powder
- Kitchen scale
- 4 cup microwave safe spouted measuring cup
- Cylinder silicone soap mould
Measure the shea butter, coconut oil, and beeswax by weight, using the kitchen scale and place in a microwaveable jug.
Place the jug into the microwave and heat on high for one minute.
Remove and stir. Repeat, heating for short 10 to 20 seconds bursts until everything is fully melted.
Once melted, add the essential oil and mica powder. Stir well.
Place the mould on a flat surface where the bars will be able to sit, undisturbed, for a few hours.
Pour the mixture into the mould, filling each cavity until they are around ¾ full.
Allow to set, undisturbed for about 6 hours.
Remove from mould and store in an airtight container.
More Lotion Bar Recipes
- Lime Lotion Bars
- Dandelion Lotion Bars
- Lemongrass Lotion Bars
- Hard Lotion Bars
- Calamine Lotion Soap Bars
- Snowflake Lotion Bars
Sweet Orange and Vanilla Lotion Bars
Simple Living. Creative LearningIngredients
- 3 Oz Shea Butter
- 3 Oz Coconut Oil
- 3 Oz Beeswax
- 10 Drops Sweet Orange Essential Oil
- 4 Drops Vanilla Essential Oil
- 1/8 tsp Orange Mica Powder
Instructions
- Measure the shea butter, coconut oil, and beeswax by weight, using the kitchen scale and place in a microwaveable jug.
- Place the jug into the microwave and heat on high for one minute.
- Remove and stir. Repeat, heating for short 10 to 20 seconds bursts until everything is fully melted.
- Once melted, add the essential oil and mica powder. Stir well.
- Place the mould on a flat surface where the bars will be able to sit, undisturbed, for a few hours.
- Pour the mixture into the mould, filling each cavity until they are around ¾ full.
- Allow to set, undisturbed for about 6 hours.
- Remove from mould and store in an airtight container.
- To Use – When ready to use, rub a lotion bar onto your hands to warm it up slightly and it will start to melt. Rub into your skin making sure the lotion is distributed all over.
Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on this website. Check dilution levels for kids. Pregnant, nursing women and those under the care of a physician for a chronic condition should consult a physician before using. For external use only. Individual results may vary.
Homemade Caramel Sauce
This looks so good! What a great gift to make for friends!
Is there a substitute for the orange mica powder?
Is the coconut oil fractionated or solid? You talked about almond oil but I didn’t see it in the recipe. The reason that I’m asking these questions is that I’m wondering about substituting the oil in the recipe, for wheat germ oil
I use the coconut oil that goes solid – Coconut Oil.
You can try using other carrier oils such as sweet almond oil, jojoba etc, especially if you are allergic to coconut or nuts.
Wheat germ oil should work, though I personally haven’t tried it.
Thank you for your help
What can I use instead of coconut oil? No avocado either. Allergies to both
You could try sweet almond, jojoba, sunflower, grapeseed, or olive oil.
Can you use fragrance oil?
I have not used fragrance oil, but I do believe that you can.
How many lotion bars does this make?
Thanks
This all depends on the moulds that you are using. Roughly you should get around 6 small/mini lotion bars.