DIY Bath Products – part four – Orange Honey Lotion Bars

The Michigan winter and forced air heat is drying and hard on our skin.  I started using coconut oil on my skin and recently to condition my hair but always wished it smelled a bit better. I’d been given solid lotion bars as gifts before – solid until they melt against your skin.  I’ve always wondered about making my own.

Fast forward to Pinterest where I discovered this “recipe”(courtesy of Thank Your Body).  It’s bitterly cold in Michigan so today’s the day. I’d purchased organic beeswax, shea butter, coconut oil and sweet orange essential oil as well as a silicone mold recently. Today, I dug out my trusty double boiler and am ready to roll – or melt.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 Tablespoons of raw honey
2 ounces organic beeswax
2 ounces organic shea butter
2 ounces organic coconut oil
1 tablespoon olive oil
6 drops of organic sweet orange essential oil

Directions:
1. In a double boiler, melt together the beeswax, shea butter, and coconut oil until they become liquid.

2. Turn the heat off and add the olive oil, honey, and essential oil drops. I warmed my honey first – make sure that it’s fully melted into the mix as it is the thickest component.

3. Pour liquified mixture into the molds.

4. Allow to set in a cool place for 7 to 8 hours, or pop in the fridge to speed up the process.

Not feeling 100% confident as to how these will turn out, I cut the recipe in half except I did use the full amount of essential oil.  It made 4 bars in the mold shown above, though I didn’t fill the molds to the very top.  The orange fragrance is very subtle even though I used the amount for a full – not half recipe.  Want a more scented bar? Simply increase the amount of essential oil.

To store these, keep them in little plastic containers in a cool place.  When you’re ready to use, rub a bar between your palms to soften with body heat then massage into your skin.