I am very sensative to pretty much everything. Like a lot of moms, my health journey began with having children. Pregnancy brought out a lot of issues for me: post partum rashes, imbalanced skin, histamine reactions and more.
I began to realize that it’s not just about what I eat, it’s what I put on my body and my baby’s body too.
The first thing I set out to replace and learn to make was lotion. I found out very quickly that adding water to oils creates a breeding ground for bacteria and mold. I read that I needed to add a percentage of a preservative if I wanted my liquidy lotion to last at room temp. I couldn’t find a preservative that wasn’t linked so some sort of issue so I decided to figure out if there was a form of “lotion” I could make without a preservative. Which led me to balms and finally solid lotion bars.
I really like solid lotions bars because I’m not mixing or whipping, they’re easy to package and store. I also enjoy using them as a lip and face balm. I find them simple to use on my whole body including rubbing a little off the bar and rubbing it thoroughly through my wet hair after a shower as a leave in conditioner.
Because they’re made with tallow, I find anything with tallow tends to absorb into the skin better. At one time I was just using plain coconut oil but I found it to be greasy and yet simultaneously drying. The addition of tallow creates a nourishing addition that seems to absorb better and not just sit on the skin.
These make great gifts too, pretty much everyone I give a lotion bar to loves them amd they typically ask me for more. Ive even sold them at farmers markets with my kids, so there’s another idea for you: make and sell!
As I mentioned, I’m sensitive to pretty much everything. The more I clean up my environment with non toxic cleaning products, eliminate hormone disrupting fragrances and eat a whole food, mostly animal based diet; the more I find I not only feel better but I immediately detect synthetic fragrances and toxic chemicals when I’m in town or working in markets and will get low level headaches to full blown migraine along with overall feeling unwell: achy, burning skin, dizzy, sore eyes… It’s for all these reasons I try to stay as natural and wholesome as possible. I even struggle sometimes with essential oils and I only use them sparingly. If I’m making these as gifts and I know my friends enjoy certain fragrances, I will add essential oils. Otherwise, typically, I leave these bare and fragrance free.
Some essential oil combos my friends enjoy and even request are:
Orange and peppermint (although be sure to use the lotion bar at night and not before going out into the sun as orange oil is photosensitive)
Lavender and geranium (these two actually have been shown to balance hormones)
Lavender and peppermint
Vanilla and lavender
Rosemary and peppermint (this combo is good for depression and is very uplifting)
Pesticide free lavender amd German chamomile (a wonderful gentle combo for babies and those with very sensative skin)
Helychrisium and frankincense (this is a rather expensive combo but I do occasionally invest in these oils as they’re so healing. When I make this combo it is specifically for someone dealing with pain, bruising, a break or a sprain. I use this combo in pregnancy on my legs to help with circulation, varicose veins and blood clots.)
Really the sky is the limit. You can use your own choice essential oils or just keep these plain. If I’m using this for my newborn’s skin I will leave it plain or ONLY use pesticide free lavender and German chamomile essential oils on baby’s under 3 months)
I digress. Let me get to the recipe.
Solid Lotion Bar
4 ounces of beeswax
4 ounces of cocoa butter
4 ounces of tallow
4 ounces of coconut oil
I try to source organic and grass-fed materials. Because I make pretty much everything for myself and my family, I buy these items yearly in bulk to use throighout the year.
Melt the weighed out ingredients in a double boiler. I just use a medium stockpot and a two quart Pyrex measuring dish to make a makeshift double boiler. That way too, it’s easier to pour in my molds once the oil is all melted.
Stir the oil with a small spatula to be sure it’s all mixed. Once each solid is fully melted and mixed, carefully remove the Pyrex cup from the pot. Very careful to avoid the steam. This is the point you can add your chosen essential oils.
Stir the oils again and carefully pour into silicone molds. I use round molds that I believe are about two inches in diameter. You can use whatever molds you prefer.
Allow them to harden, curing them overnight is best, especially if you’re wanting to then package them as gifts or for sale. Once hard, pop them out and use them!
I keep a lotion bar on a pretty little dish on my bathroom counter and use it on my hands before bed or during the day. It’s also there for use after showers.
I hope you make your own and love them as much as I do!
Warmest Blessings,
Ashley
