Wondering how to use lotion bars? Lotion bars, or “hard lotion” are an easy way to relieve your dry skin, and are so much easier to use than regular body lotion.

Learn all about lotions bars, how to use them, and the best tips to getting the most out of them.

Read to the end to learn how to make your own handmade lotion bars!

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What are Lotion Bars?

It is literally what it says: a lotion in a bar. It is a moisturizer bar made to help you reach those hard-to-reach places or quickly put on lotion before heading out the door.

It is one of the best personal care products because they are super easy to use and lasts a lot longer than traditional lotion or other skin care products.

They are made with wax, butters, and fatty oils that will leave your skin super healthy and non-greasy!

How to Use Lotion Bars

Lotion bars are very easy to use. If you are wondering when to use a lotion bar, the answer is whenever and always!

The first step to using a lotion bar includes warming it up in your hands. Because they are hard lotions, it will take some time, especially if you live in a warm climate.

Give it maybe 10-15 seconds and see the bar will slide on your skin easily.

Once it glides over your skin, apply it wherever you have dry skin or want to use it. You can either put the entire bar onto the desired area or wait until a small amount is melted on your hands to transfer.

For example, you can either rub it directly onto your legs after the shower or melt it in your hands and then rub the lotion on your legs with your hands.

Still feeling like you won’t use a lotion bar that often? Here are a few more ways to use on how to use a lotion bar so you get the most out of your bar!

Use as an organic therapy massage bar! You can find certain molds (like these) that add texture and work great for a massage if you are making your own, or you can buy some already made. These are often better than massage oils!
Keep by your bathroom sink and use it right after you wash your hands. Oftentimes our hands get so dry, especially as moms or nurses who frequently wash their hands! These are quick and easy for on-the-go!
Use a lotion bar during your shower. After you cleanse your body, rub the bar over your skin. Quickly rinse and then get out. This will help further moisture your skin and will add a layer of protection that soaps won’t give.
You can always use it in place of your typically lotion! Wherever you regularly apply lotion, switch to a bar instead!
Many people love using these lotion bars for hard to reach places like their cracked feet or elbows. Any place where you usually get dry skin works the best.
If you are making your own, use certain fatty oils and essential oils that would be great for a face lotion! Use at night and wake up with soft, glowing skin!
Keep one at all times during the winter season as your entire body will be extra dry. If it is so hard you can’t warm it up with your hands, try under warm water, or hold it by the fire for a bit.
Keep one in your self-care kit and use during your self-care routine! That’s what I use my facial lotion bar for.

Lotion Bar Benefits

There are so many benefits to using a lotion bar, but it all really depends on what ingredients are in each bar.

Certain herbs or essential oils will have different benefits. If you are making your own, make sure to learn about the benefits of using particular ingredients so you can make the perfect lotion bar for you!

Here are a few of the basic vegan or beeswax lotion benefits:

Moisturizing and helps with dry skin
Protects your skin with the oils and butters inside
Portable! Take it with you wherever for easy use
A little goes a long way so it will last a long time
Very hard to get too much on your hands unlike regular lotion
If you use a shea butter lotion bar, it will help with eczema and psoriasis
It is not messy at all and is very easy to use
Fits easily in your purse or diaper bag
You won’t get in trouble at airports with a shea lotion bar
Usually doesn’t come in plastic so they are very eco-friendly
Can also use in the shower to better moisturize your body
When you make your own organic body lotion bar, you will know exactly the ingredients inside and it won’t have any preservatives, chemicals, or bad toxins inside

How to Store Lotion Bars

Make sure to store lotion bars in a cool, dry place in order to keep them solid and to help them last a long time.

There are some great containers for lotion bars that help keep them solid. I personally use these ones, but you can also use small glass containers or even a soap bowl.

If you live in dry climates, you could also get away with leaving them out by your sink too!

Organic Lotion Bar Recipe

Now that you know all the amazing ways to use a lotion bar and the incredible benefits, are you ready to make your own? Here is exactly how to make a lotion bar!

These are some of the easiest DIY recipes because they only use a couple of ingredients. I will teach you how to make beeswax lotion bars, however, in the notes section, I also share a lotion bar recipe without beeswax as well.

DIY Organic Lotion Bars

Yield: 5 small lotion bars

Materials

¼ cup beeswax
¼ cup shea butter
¼ cup avocado oil
20 drops of essential oil (lavender is a great one!)
2 teaspoons vitamin e oil
Flower mold

Instructions

Combine beeswax, shea butter, and avocado oil in a glass container. Heat in a pot with a bit of water until fully melted. You can also heat it up slowly in the microwave as well.
Add in 20 drops of essential oil and a few teaspoons of vitamin e oil. Mix until it is all combined.
Pour the mixture into the flower mold and let it harden overnight. To speed it up, you can put it in the freezer for an hour or so.
Pop out of the mold and enjoy!

Notes

You can use a variety of oils! Instead of sweet almond oil, try coconut oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, or avocado oil. It really depends on what you want to use your lotion bar for. If you want one for the face, try jojoba oil. You can also use infused herbal oils too to enhance the benefits!
Just like with oils, you can also use different butters.
You do not have to use mica powder at all. It is only if you want.
The same goes for essential oils. You don’t have to use them if you don’t want to. They only add smell and some benefits depending on the oils.
Use any mold you want! You can make whatever design. However, try to stick to one that doesn’t have small sections, like a star as those typically break easily when removing or using.
For a vegan lotion bar recipe, replace beeswax with carnauba wax.

This recipe makes about 5 bars if using the same mold I mention below.

Ingredients

¼ cup beeswax
¼ cup shea butter
¼ cup avocado oil
20 drops of essential oil (I like lavender)
2 teaspoons vitamin e oil
Flower mold

Instructions

Combine beeswax, shea butter, and avocado oil in a glass container. Heat in a pot with a bit of water until fully melted. You can also heat it up slowly in the microwave as well.

Add in 20 drops of essential oil and a few teaspoons of vitamin e oil. Mix until it is all combined.

Adding essential oil to lotion bar recipe

Pour the mixture into the flower mold and let it harden overnight. To speed it up, you can put it in the freezer for an hour or so.

Pouring lotion bar ingredients into soap mold

Pop out of the mold and enjoy!

Notes

You can use a variety of oils! Instead of sweet almond oil, try coconut oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, or avocado oil. It really depends on what you want to use your lotion bar for. If you want one for the face, try jojoba oil. You can also use infused herbal oils too to enhance the benefits!
Just like with oils, you can also use different butters. Cocoa butter lotion bars work great!
You do not have to use mica powder at all. It is only if you want.
The same goes for essential oils. You don’t have to use them if you don’t want to. They only add smell and some benefits depending on the oils.
Use any mold you want! You can make whatever design. However, try to stick to one that doesn’t have small sections, like a star as those typically break easily when removing or using. Flowers, hearts, beehives, or squares usually work best. Check out these top soap molds I love to use.
For a vegan lotion bar recipe, replace beeswax with carnauba wax.

How do you make lotion bars less greasy?

Most lotion bar recipes are non-greasy, to begin with. However, if you find yours are greasy, try using oils that absorb easily into the skin like rosehip or grapeseed.

How do you make lotion bars harder?

If your lotion bar melts too quickly and doesn’t keep its shape, try adding more beeswax.

These variables will all depend on what climate you live in and the humidity in your area. Tweak the recipe until you find a lotion bar formula that works just right for you!

How to Keep Lotion Bars From Melting

In order to keep lotion bars from melting, you need to make sure to keep them at room temperature, or cooler.

If you live in a hot, humid environment, it would probably be best to keep your bar in the fridge to keep it hard.

Also, be sure to keep your lotion bar away from water. If you are using a bar in the shower, these will tend to melt faster, but can still give you plenty of moisture for your skin. Be sure to take it out of the shower so it can dry to preserve it!

How to Package Lotion Bars for Gifts

If you are packaging lotion bars for gifts to give to your family and friends, try these little containers!

You can also wrap them in brown craft paper and tie them with some string.

Lotion bars make for the perfect gift because they are small and so easy to make! Plus, everyone uses lotions, so everyone will have a need for a hard lotion bar!

FAQ

Are lotion bars easy to use?

Lotion bars are incredibly easy to use, even easier than body lotion in a container!

Are lotion bars good for your skin?

Yes lotion bars are very good for your skin. They will help keep your skin soft and will relieve dry skin. If you make a herbal lotion bar, you can even help relieve eczema!

How do you use a shower lotion bar?

You can use a lotion bar in the shower or after you finish your shower. In the shower, it is not soap. When you are finished washing your body, then you can rub the lotion bar, quickly rinse, and it will leave your skin feeling super soft!

Are lotion bars sanitary?

Actually, solid body lotion bars are incredibly sanitary. They do not need any water or preservatives with the natural oils in the bars. If you make an organic body lotion bar, they will be even better for you!

What can you use lotion bars for?

Lotion bars are good for rubbing on cracking feet, dry skin, or as a good facial lotion.

DIY Lotion Bar Wrap Up