I love a good lotion recipe. This homemade rose lotion is actually one of my favorites and makes the perfect face moisturizer. Sometimes I need something less messy and simple to make though. This white chocolate peppermint lotion bar recipe not only smells divine, but is a simple way to moisturize.
The Downside of Lotion
Homemade lotion can be tricky. Regular lotion can separate, spoil quickly, or your toddler may decide to finger-paint with it. Lotion bars however are portable and don’t contain water so they last much longer.
I’ve tried other lotion bars before, but they were hard to apply. Rock solid lotion bars are good for storage, but pose some difficulty when you try to melt it on skin. Beeswax makes lotion bars firm, but then they’re harder to use. Thankfully I came up with a solution to cut down on the beeswax and still get a solid lotion bar.
The Secret to the Best Lotion Bar Recipe
Cocoa butter is one of my favorite ingredients since it adds firmness to recipes, but isn’t as hard and waxy as beeswax. Cocoa butter also smells like chocolate. Who can say no to chocolate?? This butter is also the secret ingredient in my non-waxy lip balm recipes in my e-book, Body & Skin.
Coconut oil is the other star ingredient in this recipe. It’s high in medium chain fatty acids and deeply nourishes skin. Since coconut oil is solid at room temperature (especially in the winter when skin is drier), it helps keep the bars firmer than liquid oil.
And of course you can’t have white chocolate peppermint lotion bars without peppermint. Peppermint is invigorating and energizing. Mint essential oil is frequently used to soothe digestive upset and promote clear breathing. Even though we’re using mint for its scent, you’ll still get the aromatherapy benefits of the essential oil.
Shaping the Lotion Bars
I have several molds that I use for lotion bars that are different shapes and sizes. Hard plastic or silicone molds both work, but I prefer silicone since I find them easier to use. I don’t mind using the same mold for food, since the lotion ingredients are non-toxic and edible. Be sure to wash the molds well before using them for food though. Muffin tins will also work in a pinch.
Chocolate Mint Lotion Bars
These moisturizing and portable lotion bars are just the thing for dry skin. It doesn't hurt that they smell like chocolate mint!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup cocoa butter wafers (74 grams)
- 1/2 cup coconut oil (92 grams)
- 1/3 cup beeswax (40 grams)
- 60 drops peppermint essential oil
- Scale (optional but highly recommended)
- Mold - like one of these
Instructions
- Fill a pot halfway with water and put a metal strainer in the bottom. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer.
- In the meantime, add the cocoa butter, coconut oil and beeswax into a heat-safe glass measuring cup or mason jar. Place the container on the metal strainer that’s in the water and allow it to melt.
- Stir occasionally with a metal spoon, just until everything is melted together.
- Remove the glass container from the heat and add the peppermint essential oil. Immediately pour the lotion into the molds and allow it to cool until solid.
- To remove the lotion bars from the molds, put them in the freezer for about 5 minutes before turning them over onto a towel lined counter. They should pop right out with a little tapping.
- Depending on the size of your lotion bars, you can store them in a metal tin.
Notes
A scale is my absolute favorite way to craft skincare recipes. Measuring cups and spoons will work, but they're not as accurate so results won't be as consistent.