Soothe Your Skin with This Fabulous DIY Lotion Bar Recipe

The secret to soft, glowing skin is to nourish it. After all, the skin is an organ that needs some TLC every once in a while. Lotion bars are great because they hydrate dry, cracked skin. They'll be your best friend coming out of a cold winter or after spending too much time in the sun.

But let's be honest: store-bought lotion bars (especially those made with quality natural ingredients) can be costly. Fortunately, you can make them at home yourself for a fraction of the price. Keep reading to try our favorite DIY lotion bar recipe — and understand all the hype for this skincare must-have.

What is a lotion bar?

A lotion bar is a nourishing skincare product. It's very similar to liquid body lotions and creams, only it's a solid block. It's probably the most straightforward of all skincare products.

All in all, lotion bars have the upper hand:

• They're eco-friendly: Lotion bars can be minimally packaged, which cuts down on plastic use.
• They're more concentrated: Because lotion bars don't contain water (unlike liquid lotion), they last longer and give you a better bang for your buck.
• They're easy to carry on the go: No spills, no leaks — perfect for self-care while traveling.

How to make lotion bars at home

Ready to get started? Round up these ingredients:

• 4 oz coconut oil
• 4 oz shea butter
• 4 oz beeswax
• Essential oils (optional)

Then follow these simple steps (the recipe yields 6 bars):

1. Bring a pot of water to a boil and fit a heat-proof bowl over it.
2. Melt oil, butter, and wax in the bowl, stirring occasionally.
3. Add drops of essential oils to the bowl until you're happy with the smell.
4. Pour mixture into six 2-oz silicone molds and refrigerate.
5. Once hardened, store the bars in air-tight containers.

How to use lotion bars

Lotion bars melt slowly when in contact with heat. Add them to your post-bath beauty regimen by rubbing the lotion bar all over your skin. Alternatively, you can handle the bar with warm hands and spread the lotion on the skin.

Benefits of using lotion bars regularly

After a few weeks of regularly moisturizing your skin, you'll likely notice:

• Previously rough spots (like your elbows, knees, and heels) become silky smooth.
• Less itchiness caused by dry skin (especially after a shave).
• Greater skin elasticity, which delays the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

How much do homemade lotion bars cost?

Lotion bars can be made very affordably, often for less than $20. Buy coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax in bulk to save even more. You could also omit the essential oils for an ultra-affordable DIY spa day at home.

Pamper yourself on a tight budget

Taking care of your body is key to living a happy life, and we believe being on a budget shouldn't stop you from pampering yourself. Now that you have a year's supply of skin-nourishing lotion bars, what's next? Check out the Save Coupon Book to see if we deliver to your area and find the latest deals on all things self-care (and more!).