Tired of battling dry, itchy skin with expensive lotions that overpromise and underdeliver? This easy, alpha-gal friendly lotion bar recipe is a skin-soothing lifesaver — nourishing, customizable, and perfect for anyone looking for a natural alternative to store-bought creams.
The information provided on this site is based on my personal experience living with alpha-gal syndrome. I consistently cite and link to expert sources, but nothing published on this site should be perceived as medical advice.
Alpha-gal sensitivities vary by person. You should understand your dietary restrictions, making any adjustments needed, and directing any questions to your physician.
Between winter weather and the unsettling reminder that I’m just about to turn another year older, my skin has been as dry and cracked as a creek bed in a drought. I’ve tried everything from thick creams to serums that promised me the world (or at least soft elbows), but nothing has really worked.
On top of that, living with alpha-gal syndrome means that finding a good moisturizer isn’t just about battling dryness. You also have to dodge animal-derived ingredients like lanolin, collagen, and keratin that seem to sneak their way into so many skincare products.
Making your own personal care products puts you in control of ingredients. I’ve perfected this lotion bar recipe, and let me tell you — it hydrates like that magical cucumber water in a luxury spa. Not only does it help with dry skin, but it’s also free from reaction-causing mammalian ingredients. Oh, and as an added bonus, because it’s solid, it won’t get flagged by the TSA when you’re packing for your next getaway.
In This Article
Key Ingredients in Lotion Bars
Making your own lotion bars is like giving your skin a little VIP treatment — only without the spa price tag. Here’s a closer look at the all-star lineup of ingredients in this lotion bar recipe:
Beeswax
Beeswax is the glue that holds these lotion bars together — literally. It gives them their structure and helps lock in moisture without clogging your pores. It’s also loaded with vitamin A, which is basically the personal trainer that your skin didn’t know it needed.
If you’re going for a vegan option, swap beeswax for candelilla or carnauba wax. Just keep in mind that these plant-based alternatives are denser, so you’ll only need about half the amount.
Shea Butter
If hydration had a mascot, it’d be shea butter. This ultra-moisturizing ingredient is packed with vitamins and fatty acids that keep your skin feeling soft, smooth, and all kinds of nourished. Plus, it adds a creamy, dreamy texture that makes these bars glide on as smoothly as butter on warm toast.
Substitutions: Cocoa butter works great if you don’t have shea butter on hand. It’s just as moisturizing and adds a light chocolatey scent. Heads up, though — cocoa butter is a bit firmer, so your bars might turn out a little stiffer.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is the multitasker of the skincare world. It’s hydrating, antimicrobial, and melts like magic when it touches your skin. This helps your lotion bars go on smoothly without feeling greasy.
Substitutions: Want to swap out the coconut oil? Not a problem! You can easily replace it with another carrier oil like sweet almond oil, olive oil, or jojoba oil. Just keep in mind that substituting these oils may change the texture and firmness of your lotion bars, so it may take a little trial and error to get the result you want.
- Sweet Almond Oil: Lightweight and easily absorbed, sweet almond oil is an excellent choice for sensitive skin.
- Olive Oil: Deeply moisturizing, olive oil is a great option for extremely dry and mature skin.
- Jojoba Oil: Closely resembles the skin’s natural sebum, making jojoba oil ideal for all skin types.
Vitamin E Oil
Vitamin E oil is like a little insurance policy for your lotion bars. This natural antioxidant extends the shelf life of your lotion bars by preventing the oils from becoming rancid. It also offers skin-healing properties, aiding in the repair of damaged skin and providing additional moisture.
Essential Oils
Essential oils let you really make these lotion bars your own. Try lavender essential oil to channel its calming vibes, tea tree for its antibacterial kick, or maybe something citrusy to brighten your day — whatever floats your boat. Just make sure to pick skin-safe, high-quality oils. I am a big fan of Rocky Mountain Oils because they sell high-quality essential oils without the MLM silliness of Young Living and Doterra. Whatever you choose, just remember that a little essential oil goes a long way!
Related Article: Sick of Seasonal Allergies? These Essential Oils Can Help
How to Make Lotion Bars
Crafting your own lotion bars is a fun, alpha-gal friendly way to pamper your skin with natural ingredients. Here’s how to make them:
- Weigh the Ingredients. First things first: grab a digital scale. It’s way better than guessing with measuring cups, which can get tricky depending on how packed your ingredients are. I promise you, loosely packed coconut oil and tightly packed coconut oil are totally different weights, and if the balance of ingredients is off, your lotion bars won’t turn out as expected.
- Melt and Mix. Melt the beeswax, shea butter, and coconut oil and stir to combine. Remove from heat and mix in the vitamin E oil and your desired essential oils.
- Pour into Molds. Pour the lotion bar liquid into silicone molds. You can find a variety of silicone molds online or at craft stores.
- Cool and Unmold. Let the bars sit and harden completely — don’t rush this step! If patience isn’t your thing, pop them in the fridge to speed things up.
- Store Smartly. Store your lotion bars in an airtight container, away from direct sunlight and heat. When properly stored, they can last up to a year.
Sage Advice: I like to make multiple batches of lotion bars using different oil blends at one time. This gives me a variety of lotion bars to use over time.
Best Essential Oil Blends for Homemade Lotion Bars
Whether you’re sticking with a single oil or mixing up a custom blend, essential oils are the cherry on top of this lotion bar recipe. Lavender essential oil, for example, is a soothing powerhouse—it calms the mind, reduces inflammation, and smells like a spa in a bottle.
For this recipe, you’ll need about 15-20 drops of essential oil, which works out to roughly ½ teaspoon. Here are some great essential oil blends to try. Each combo lists the recommended number of drops for the perfect balance of scents:
- Lavender + Lemon: 10 drops of lavender essential oil and 10 drops of lemon essential oil. This duo offers a fresh, calming scent that’s perfect for winding down after a long day.
- Lavender + Chamomile: 10 drops of lavender essential oil and 10 drops of chamomile essential oil create a calming scent that is like a lullaby in lotion bar form.
- Lavender + Lemongrass: 12 drops of lavender essential oil and 8 drops of lemongrass essential oil. This blend combines the soft, floral fragrance of lavender with the fresh, citrusy zing of lemongrass.
- Bergamot + Orange: 10 drops of bergamot and 10 drops of orange make a lotion bar that smells like sunshine.
- Peppermint + Eucalyptus: 8 drops of peppermint and 12 drops of eucalyptus. This minty, refreshing blend relieves tension and opens airways—great for a pick-me-up during flu season.
- Orange + Cedarwood: 12 drops of orange essential oil and 10 drops of cedarwood essential oil. This uplifting blend is a perfect everyday fragrance.
- Tea Tree + Lemongrass: 10 drops of tea tree essential oil and 10 drops of lemongrass. This blend smells super clean while fighting acne and revitalizing your skin.
- Rose + Sandalwood: 10 drops of rose essential oil and 10 drops of sandalwood. Romantic and grounding, this woody-floral blend hydrates your skin and promotes relaxation.
- Cedarwood + Bergamot: 12 drops of cedarwood essential oil and 8 drops of bergamot. Earthy and uplifting, this blend brightens your skin and helps reduce stress.
- Ylang Ylang + Patchouli: 10 drops of ylang ylang and 10 drops of patchouli. This musky, exotic blend balances oil production and leaves you feeling zen.
- Lemon + Rosemary: 10 drops of lemon essential oil and 10 drops of rosemary essential oil. This clean and invigorating combination boosts mental clarity.
- Frankincense + Myrrh: 12 drops of frankincense and 8 drops of myrrh. This warm and resinous blend rejuvenates aging skin and promotes healing.
- Geranium + Grapefruit: 10 drops of geranium essential oil and 10 drops of grapefruit essential oil. Floral with a citrusy kick, this energizing blend balances skin tone and leaves you feeling refreshed.
How to Use Lotion Bars
A lotion bar is a simple and effective way to keep your skin moisturized, especially in areas prone to dryness, like hands, elbows, and feet. While it’s best to apply the lotion bar after a warm shower when your pores are open and your skin is more receptive to natural moisturizers, you can enjoy it any time. Here’s how:
- Warm the Lotion Bar: Hold the bar between your hands for 10-15 seconds. Your body temperature will soften the bar, making it easier to apply.
- Rub on Your Skin: Gently rub the softened bar directly on your skin. The warmth of your skin will continue to melt the bar, allowing a thin layer of moisturizing oils and butters to transfer to your skin.
- Massage In: Use your hands to massage the lotion into your skin, ensuring even coverage. This is particularly beneficial for dry hands, as the nourishing ingredients provide deep hydration.
- Allow to Absorb: Let the oils absorb fully before dressing to prevent any transfer onto clothing. This usually takes just a few minutes.
- Store the Lotion Bar: When not in use, keep your lotion bar in a cool, dry place. It’s best to store it in a tin or similar container to protect it from dust and debris, extending its shelf life.
Homemade Lotion Bars
Equipment
- Scale or measuring cups
- Stirring spoon
- Storage container
Ingredients
- 2 oz beeswax pellets about ½ cup — see notes for vegan alternative
- 2.8 oz shea butter about ½ cup
- 3.8 oz coconut oil about ½ cup
- ½ tsp vitamin E oil
- 15-20 drops of essential oil about ½ tsp
Instructions
- Add the beeswax pellets, shea butter, and coconut oil to a melting pot or double boiler. Heat gently over low heat, stirring occasionally until all of the ingredients are fully melted and combined.
- Remove the mixture from the heat and let it cool slightly (about 10 minutes).
- Stir in the vitamin E and essential oils. Mix thoroughly to ensure they’re evenly distributed.
- Place silicone mold on a flat tray to make them easier to move. Carefully pour the melted mixture into the molds, filling each one completely.
- Let the lotion bars cool and harden. This may take a few hours at room temperature. To speed up the hardening process, you can place the molds in the refrigerator.
- Once the bars are fully hardened, gently remove them from the molds and store them in an airtight container away from direct sunlight and heat.
- To Use the Lotion Bar: Hold a lotion bar between your hands to let your body temperature slightly melt the surface. Rub it directly onto dry areas, like hands, elbows, or feet, then massage the nourishing oils into your skin.
Notes
- To make these luscious lotion bars vegan, swap beeswax for candelilla or carnauba wax. Just keep in mind that these plant-based alternatives are denser, so you’ll only need about half the amount.
- If you don’t have a melting pot or double boiler, make one by placing a heat-safe bowl over a pot of simmering water. Be sure the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the water.
- If the bars are too soft, add more beeswax. If the bars are too hard, add more coconut oil.
- Replace coconut oil with sweet almond oil, olive oil, or jojoba oil for different skin benefits. (See details above.)
- Choose oils based on your scent preferences and skin needs, like lavender for relaxation or tea tree for its antimicrobial properties. (See list of recommendations above.)
- When properly stored, your homemade lotion bars will last up to a year.
Please Note: Nutrition information is automatically calculated. It should only be used as an approximation.
