Hello, friends! The good news is we survived Monday. The bad news is we have four days to go (unless you love your job, in which case you're probably peachy right about now). I do love my day job, but I also love my weekends. It's my time to really focus on projects, get things accomplished and cross things off of my ever-growing to-do list (this is self-inflicted, though).
This weekend, I made my own lotion bars and lip balm! The lotion bars were inspired by this blog, which I encourage you to visit. Her post is pretty compelling on why you should think twice about what's in store-bought lotions.
I tweaked her recipe just a bit and went with canola oil instead of vegetable oil. I used bergamot essential oil because I LOVE the smell of bergamot. It reminds me of a nice cup of hot earl grey tea, so it brings a slight smile to my face every time I use the lotion bars!
What You Need:
- Beeswax (I picked mine up at Hobby Lobby since it was convenient and I had a 40% off coupon, which made it $8.99 for the 1-lb. block)
- Vegetable shortening
- Canola oil
- Essential oil, of your choice (this is optional, but you can really customize these to your liking with just a few drops of essential oils)
- Form/mold (I used a soap mold, also from HL, as it was also on sale, but you could use really anything you want. Try a silicone pan/mold for some fun shapes!)
What You Do:
Melt a 1:1:1 ratio of all three ingredients (you're going to add the essential oils at the end, if you're using them) in a double boiler or a small pan inside of a larger pan of boiling water. (NOTE: I did try to melt these together in my microwave, but the beeswax started sparking. Apparently this will happen in some microwaves and will be fine in others, so be careful if you try this!)
Once everything is melted together, stir well, remove from heat and add your essential oils. I used around 25 drops of bergamot for 4 bars. Pay attention to any directions that come with your mold...for example, mine specifically noted that anything above 150 degrees could melt the mold. Since my mixture was closer to 165 degrees, I let it cool in the pan on my counter before pouring it into the mold. Nothing would be worse than pouring your mixture into the mold, just to watch the mold melt away! If you're using silicone, you shouldn't have to worry about this. :)
Once the bars have cooled, pop them out of your mold and enjoy!
To use, rub them between your hands and your body heat will soften the bar enough for you to get what you need. It WILL be extremely oily at first, but it WILL soak in after a couple of minutes. The air in our house has been extremely dry lately (thanks, winter), which wreaks havoc on our skin. That's probably the top "problem" I hear about from Cowboy, so to say these have been a hit would be an understatement. Not only do they smell good, but I've found that once it soaks into your skin, it sort of leaves a super-soft, non-waxy protective layer that doesn't wash off with water (like, if you're washing your hands) like lotion would. I'm pretty much obsessed with these things! I even mailed one to my brother today because his hands have been on the verge of cracking open (sorry for the mental picture) every winter for as long as I've known him (i.e. since the day he was born). Mom--shhh, don't tell Jason! :)
You could fancy these up lots of different ways--different molds/shapes, some food/icing coloring, some smaller shapes you could add to the top (like a tiny heart on top of a big heart of a leaf on top of a more plain bar, like mine)...and of course add your own favorite scents. Make them your own!
While I had the beeswax out, I thought I would also make my own lip balm. I just needed to find something awesome to keep the balm in. Then I remembered these adorable tiny jars I picked up at a Goodwill in Kansas City a couple of years ago. I thought they were the cutest little jars I'd ever seen, but never really had a great use for them...until now!
I paid a whopping 29 cents for each one. Score!
For this mixture, I used beeswax, olive oil and essential oil (again, bergamot)
Using the same method, melt together a 1:1 ratio of beeswax and olive oil (you really could use any oil you want, but olive oil is awesome for your skin. I think I might add in some coconut oil next time, too!), stir in your essential oil (I used 2-3 drops per jar) and pour into a container of your choice!
Voilá! Now you have two items to make from scratch that won't take a lot of time or money and you'll managed to have remove even more chemicals and other yucky stuff from your home and your daily routine.
Enjoy!
Oh my goodness! I am loving the idea of lotion bars! Although, I would use coconut oil (it is amazing! Look it up.) instead of canola oil. I love using coconut oil on my skin, but sometimes it can be messy. This would solve that!
ReplyDeleteAlso a great idea! I actually keep a jar of coconut oil under my sink and put it on after every shower! That stuff is a-mazing! It would also give the bars a wonderful smell, eliminating the need for essential oils. Let me know if you try it!
ReplyDeleteI use coconut oil or cocoa butter (there is NOTHING better than smelling like chocolate all day!) but I'd love to try them in a bar like this!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm totally adding lip balm to my DIY project schedule :)
I was wondering... I have a family member that raises bee's would the all natural beeswax work?
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely!!null
ReplyDeletewhen you say 1:1:1 ratio is that by weight? the oil is liquid and the beeswax solid?
ReplyDeleteWell I made both the bars and the chapstick today. I was really surprised how easy all that stuff came together. My husband even had fun helpimg me make them. Thank you for sharing!!
ReplyDeletei was wondering about the 1:1:1 ratio also
ReplyDeleteThe ratio is volume!
ReplyDeletenull
Thanks! excited about making the lip balm!
ReplyDeleteI am really confused. I used coconut oil on my face for awhile, and found it be really drying!! My skin started looking like old shoe leather! I actually got my teenage son to use it, and it has helped his acne immensely.
ReplyDeleteSo my question is WHY would you put it in lip balm? I have been staying far away from the stuff with my dry skin, and can't imagine putting it on my lips! Am I totally wacky, or has someone else had this experience?
Everyones skin is different, mine had the same reaction on my face and a step further it opened my pores way to much.... So I add olive oil to it and it turned out awesome. Make sure not to use to much or you'll have the opposite problem..... Greasy or oily... EEEWWW
DeleteRonda, you are the only other person who I've heard say this. I find coconut oil to be very drying also. Play with different unrefined oils til you find one that works. I love avocado and sesame oil best.
DeleteIf I use the whole bar of beeswax, how much oil and shortening do I use??
ReplyDeleteI never dreamed it would be possible to make this at home. Spurred on by this post I began to browse through your earlier entries. I'm so glad I did that. You've created a great spit to visit and I really enjoyed the time I spent here. I'll definitely be back. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary
ReplyDeleteHi Sally,
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure how big of a bar of beeswax you're using is. However, you'll still need to apply the same 1:1:1 ratio (in volume) I mention above. Hope this helps!
Hey! This looks absolutely fabulous. I have a skin affliction called keratosis pilaris, and I usually use coconut oil for it. Do you think opting the canola / vegetable for coconut would be an alternative?
ReplyDeleteYes, I definitely think so! Should make for an excellent smell, too!null
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Mary! You're so sweet.
ReplyDeleteHi Ronda! I've never heard of coconut oil being drying, so I thought I would do some research. From what I've found, it's pointed out each time that oils are not necessarily moisturizing--they simply leave a layer of oil on top of the skin, which prevents moisture loss. So, if you're not applying to moisturized or damp skin, the coconut oil is only locking in your current level of dryness.
ReplyDeleteAlso, regarding using it for your son's acne: coconut oil actually has antibacterial properties, so my guess is that's the reason it was helping him so much, not because it's drying.
I actually apply coconut oil right out of the shower every day and I have never seen a "drying" result, which is why I was perplexed. Hope this helps and thanks for your question--it caused me to do a little extra research!
Wonderful! You're so very welcome!
ReplyDeleteHi Virginia, my ratio is in volume. I only wanted to make enough to fill my molds, so I figured out how much each mold held (using some water and a measuring cup) and divided by three to figure out how much I would need of each ingredient in its liquid form. Hope this helps!
ReplyDeleteThis is something that I will definately try! I'm excited! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI made the lotion bars! FANTASTIC!! I am having a breast cancer fundraiser, stamped them with a pink breast cancer ribbon, wrapped them in parchment paper and tied with a pink ribbon. With the exception of the molds, it cost me under $.78 for each bar!! Thanks for the idea.
ReplyDeleteJust found this recipe via Pinterest, my first batch is cooling in the molds as I type this! So excited to try it out!
ReplyDeleteLovely! I hope they sell like hot cakes! :)
ReplyDeleteLooks like married life is going well! I tagged you in a fun little bloggy Q & A thing if you want to play along! No pressure, though. :)
ReplyDeletehttp://thebutlers2010.blogspot.com/2012/02/tag-im-it.html
This is a lovely idea! Do you or have you used these lotion bars on your face?
ReplyDeleteI have very dry skin and am looking for a lotion alternative.
http://www.cheekybumsblog.com/2013/02/i-wash-my-face-with-oil/
Delete*My skin is very oily and I tried this recipe. I love love love it. You can mix the oils according to your skin type. For yours you would use more olive oil. My skin feels fantastic after using this and no meed to put lotion on after.
*can't wait to try these lotion bars. Going to hobby lobby now.
Hi Molly! I have used it on my face before, but carefully so as not to pull the skin on my face. I actually use coconut oil on my face and I love it. You might give that a try too!null
ReplyDeleteI bought the stuff tonight to make the lotion bars. I had a couple of questions that you might have an answer. I bought the 1lb block of beeswax and the oval shaped molds. I also bought a melting pot, it was with the candle making stuff. Would that work to melt the beeswax and eveything? Could you also detail the ratio thing for me, please? I am a newbie at this and kind of scared to mess it up. Thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteFor anyone wondering where to get essential oils...(or coconut oil if you use that instead) I get mine from vitacost.com and find it so much cheaper than the stores. It is free shipping on orders of $49 or more. Otherwise, the shipping is just $4.99 (but I always find stuff to make it to $49) I have a referrel link that will give you a $10 coupon if anyone wants to try it out. It is one of my favorite websites now.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.vitacost.com/Referee?wlsrc=rsReferral&ReferralCode=60253244
Hope this helps someone :)
If I want to use coconut oil do I omit the canola oil or veg oil?
ReplyDeleteDid you let the bars cool at room temperature, or chill in a refrigerator? Also, how did you figure out how much beeswax to cut off the bar to make the 1-1-1 ratio? I have a bar of organic beeswax with no measurement markings. Should I melt it first and then try to add the same amount of crisco and oil?
ReplyDeleteWill the recipe work the same for the lotion bars if I use olive oil instead of vegetable or canola oil?
ReplyDelete:)
Where do you find the essential oils?
ReplyDeleteI don't know if it will work the same (don't see why not), but even if it doesn't, olive oil is SO good for your skin. I use that on my skin all winter long...in place of lotion!
ReplyDeleteWhy not melt a small amount, then pour it in a pyrex measuring cup and see how many ounces you have, then add the oil at that time??
ReplyDeletecutious... if i use coconut oil would i omit the canola oil or the crisco?
ReplyDeleteThat's what I did - worked out great! I have given the bars as gifts to friends and they love them! Such a nice gift to give and so easy to make! Thanks for the hint!
ReplyDeleteI ordered a brand called Plant Therapy essential oils on Amazon.com. Lots to choose from and good prices! I also ordered a silicone mold (it worked great) and organic bees wax. Very happy with all purchases and the lotion bars I made!
ReplyDeleteFor some reason I thought beeswax was yellow...are there different kinds of beeswax? Love this idea!
ReplyDeleteSince coconut oil is a solid, I would exchange the veg. shortening for the coconut oil. I think I am going to exchange coconut oil (or shea butter) for the shortening, and sweet almond oil for the veg. oil. the Coconut oil may make a softer bar than shortening.
ReplyDeleteI have two questions. Can you add petals or leaves to the soap without effecting how it sets? And - would you happen to have a glycerin-type soap recipe you recommend? I find that the glycerin, perfume-free soaps are best for my face. Thank you so much!!
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah! This actually isn't a soap recipe...these are just lotion bars! As far as adding petals to the lotion bar, I haven't tried it, so I'm not sure how that would work. Hope that helps! null
ReplyDeleteI also use coconut oil for my hair. I have naturally curly, thick hair. It works wonders. No more frizz! The lotion bars also work!
ReplyDeletei am excited to try the lip balm recipe! i make lotion bars with cocoa butter and coconut oil--i vary the ratios based on how much i want them to lotionify at once (for regular hand or body lotion, i do 3 pts cocoa butter to 1 pt coconut oil; for a massage bar, i would do more like 2 pts cocoa butter to 3 pts coconut oil). it's super easy and great, AND you don't even need essential oil because it already smells so good--which is great for me bc i have ridic skin allergies. just another thought! i also use it as the base for my deodorant. thanks for the tips!
ReplyDeleteHey Elizabeth, do you use cocoa butter instead of beeswax? And regardless, are you using 100% cocoa butter? Where do you buy it? Having so much trouble finding beeswax and 100% cocoa butter
ReplyDeleteHey admin this cocunat oil is awesome i have also tried it on my skin and it is awesome, by the way i have read about such lotions on skincare tips from some magazine.
ReplyDeleteThank you!!!
I am making these as party favors for my baby shower and they are working out great! Though if you want to color them you have to use an oil based dye, typical food coloring is water based and it didn't work out to well lol.
ReplyDeleteHow much did you put of each ingredient
ReplyDeleteI used a 1:3/4:3/4 ratio, i found using a one to one ratio made the bars a little too soft and the essence oils i just used however much smelled good :)
ReplyDeleteQuestion! Can you also use olive in the soap recipe instead of canola oil? Thank you so much this seems as a great recipe and quick and fast to do!
ReplyDeleteFor the health conscious; Do you have a suggestion for a replacement for the Crisco? Since your body absorbs what you put on your skin, I wouldn't put hydrogenated oil on it (I don't cook with it either). I also think coconut oil would be better for the skin than canola, since (despite what they say) canola isn't a very healthy oil either.
ReplyDeleteI just found this blog but thought I would reply to your question, as I don't use shortening either and haven't for years...I would use palm oil. I also think olive oil would be a better choice than canola. You would want to use a liquid oil in place of liquid and solid in place of the shortening. I am a soapmaker, I use coconut oil all the time, as well as cocoa butter. If you are trying to replicate this particular recipe though, palm oil will give the closest result to shortening.
ReplyDeleteLove this and will get my Hobby Lobby coupon ready! As an aside....cracked, bleeding hands in the winter on your brother is something our son deals with also. However, as long as he takes fish oil and a multivitamin, his fingers don't crack/bleed and the roughness is kept to a lesser amount. Just an FYI. Been to dermatologists, but a pharmacist told us about this.
ReplyDeletePlease be conscious of where your palm oil originates....I had used palm oil in my soaps for years until a friend showed me a film about the rain forests that are being stripped to be replaced by more lucrative palm forests...it was heart wrenching to say the least and now I substitute palm oil in all my products and read the labels on everything I buy to make sure it's not an ingredient.
ReplyDeleteLove this and want to try it. Would the soap bars set up with just the beeswax and olive or grapeseed oil?
ReplyDeletedo you think you could use coconut oil in the lotion bars? i have been really reading up on all the wonderfull thing you can do with it, but i know it melts at like 76 degrees so i didnt know if witht he bees wax if it would too?
ReplyDeleteI just made these tonight with olive oil in place of canola oil. I used a half cup of each ingredient and about 15 drops of lavender oil. It filled three of the four molds and came out perfect. I can't wait to make these as Christmas presents! I think I will sub the crisco for coconut oil though. I'll try it and let y'all know how it works:)
ReplyDeleteOne more thing, I would either pick a old pot and designate it for this only or use a disposable tin. If you don't wipe the excess out before it hardens, just pop your pot in the oven on 350 for about five minutes.
ReplyDeleteIf You Are Using Food Grade Items, This Should NOT Be A Concern.
DeleteYou can I've made them with it using another tutorial. I used beeswax, coconut oil and shea butter
ReplyDeleteLooks like a fantastic project! Just a tiny tip: watch some of the essential oils being put on your skin, do your research. Bergamot smells lovely but is phototoxic; just something to think about.
ReplyDeleteHi Barbie!
ReplyDeleteI've been receiving a lot of questions about these lately, so I decided to go ahead and experiment with some different ingredients. I use beeswax, coconut oil (in place of the olive oil) and cocoa butter (in place of the crisco). It worked and smells beautifully!
My best advice would be to experiment as well, just treat the coconut like you would any other liquid oil.
Hops this helps!
-Alina
Hi Sherry! I think it would, just make sure you're using at least equal parts of the beeswax as you are liquid oils, so that it sets up. Also, I want to clarify that these are lotion bars, not soap. :)
ReplyDeleteHi there! This is such a great idea for back to school gifts for the teachers! Where do you buy your coconut oil and cocoa butter? :)
ReplyDeleteMy friend and I tried this recipe for lipbalm this morning. After we melted the beeswax and olive oil we added a tube of vitamin E lip balm and some bits of lipstick for coloring. What we didn't account for is the extra wax in the lipsticks and they turned out too waxy. I melted one container down and added more olive oil and they are awesome! Thanks for the recipe!
ReplyDeleteYou can use crayola crayons for color as well... Non-toxic... I wonder if I can use crayon instead of beeswax? Think I'll try it
DeleteWhat a great idea! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletenull
New to homemade things, on the ratio is that measured in ounces or cups?
ReplyDeleteI would use cosmetics grade sweet almond oil or coconut oil over any cooking oils. Better for your skin, smells better, plus coconut oil has the added benefit of having natural anti microbial properties. :)
ReplyDeleteIt depends on what you're going for. It's just a ratio. From what I can read on those little jars, they are 1oz each. If you're going to fill 2 jars, you'd need a total of 2oz of material, so you'd need 1oz of wax and 1oz of oil (equivalently 1/8 cup of wax and 1/8 cup of oil).
ReplyDeleteJust curious: Could I use olive oil in place of vegetable or canola in the lotion bars?
ReplyDeletelooks simple to me and economical,great idea for gifts.thanz
ReplyDeleteHi Alina,
ReplyDeleteI used your recipe to make these lotion bars yesterday... total chaos. I used a cereal bowl over a small pot as my double-boiler, but then had trouble picking up the bowl to pour into the molds as it was so hot. Then I ended up spilling a bunch of the liquid all over my counter so had to scrape it off and re-melt it. Yikes. :)
I used a 1:1:1 ratio of beeswax, coco butter, and coconut oil, and about 16 drops of bergamont oil for 3 small lotion bars. What I found is that the coconut smell is quite over-powering, and I can barely smell the bergamont in the bars now, unfortunately. Next time I'd use more bergamont, but I guess you don't really know exactly how it's gonna turn out on the first go.
Also, I found that it's extremely oily putting it on your skin, so I've been using the backs of my hands to rub it into my body, otherwise I get oil onto everything I touch with my fingers after using the lotion bar.
Hope that's helpful to anyone making these in the future.
~Corinna
essential oils are indeed very important. specially for people suffering from dry skin..
ReplyDeleteYou are making a better product then something from Walmart BUT you might look into Canola oil (which is a made up name from rapeseed oil from Canada) and Crisco. Maybe you could get organic oils from one of your local health food stores which would be much better for you and your skin which is the largest organ of your body. Kudos for trying something new and better.
ReplyDeleteI recommend the recipe Exactly as is for your first go round. Weighing all ingredients is important. After you're comfortable with the basic recipe, then play with different oils, colors, scents. I've been using my coworkers for guinea pigs. In a pinch, empty yogurt containers or plastic cups make good molds. They're perfect for sample guinea pig size bars. (Allow temp to drop below 150 deg first.)
ReplyDeleteI used my silicone mini muffin pan and loved how they turned out! I think I will use coconut oil instead of crisco next time because coconut oil is so wonderful for your skin. Thanks for this recipe!
ReplyDeleteIf you use REFINED coconut oil, it doesn't have a smell at all. I prefer the unrefined because I love the coconut scent. Just FYI so you don't have to use a ton of oil to mask the smell ;) That stuff's expensive!
ReplyDeleteCan you use soap colorants? I do melt and pour soap making so I have the soap colorants on hand. I am making soaps as baby shower favors and would love to make these as well to include, but would like to make them to "match" the soaps in color if possible. Thanks for any information/help you can give!
ReplyDeleteWould love to hear how you store these/ship to friends. I just made them but have no idea what to put them in as oily as they are. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteWhat would be causing mine to not set up?
ReplyDeleteYay, no chemicals.... well, except for the lauric acid (CH3-(CH2)10-COOH) in coconut oil and the oleic acid (CH3-(CH2)7-CH=CH-(CH2)7-COOH) in olive oil, and the palmitate, palmitoleate, hydroxypalmitate and oleate esters of aliphatic alcohols, triacontanyl palmitate and cerotic acid found in beeswax (C15-H31-COOC30-H61) :-)
ReplyDeleteReally?I believe she is using the colloquial 'chemicals' as in synthetic. But I am sure you are pleased as punch for showing us all how 'smart' you are. Doesn't change the fact you are an @$$. Where is my smarmy filter when I need it?
DeletePertaining to the comments from "Nathan (unregistered)" regarding the chemical compounds from the products listed to make this item, I say only this (a suggestion given to me by a boss I once had who is very wise): "Should you decide to bring up an issue that contradicts what is being presented, be prepared to offer a suggested solution(s) - otherwise, it is found only as a negative comment from a indolent individual."
ReplyDeleteGood come back, Sara
DeleteI love your point Sara...yes, a wise boss he was!
DeleteFair enough. My suggested solution is to not say that something has 'no yucky chemicals' when it is MADE OF CHEMICALS. (not yelling, just emphasizing). Viz. http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2012/08/chemical-free-dirt/
ReplyDeleteThese lotion bars look awesome, and I hope to make them. Replete in chemicals as they may be.
Fair enough. My suggested solution is to not say that something has 'no yucky chemicals' when it is MADE OF CHEMICALS. (not yelling, just emphasizing). Viz. http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2012/08/chemical-free-dirt/
ReplyDeleteThese lotion bars look awesome, and I hope to make them. Replete in chemicals as they may be.
Fair enough. My suggested solution is to not say that something has 'no yucky chemicals' when it is MADE OF CHEMICALS. (not yelling, just emphasizing). Viz. http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2012/08/chemical-free-dirt/
ReplyDeleteThese lotion bars look awesome, and I hope to make them. Replete in chemicals as they may be.
Oops, apologies, it kept returning an error so I thought it didn't post.
ReplyDeleteI love this idea and all the comments with variations. Some asked how to store I read on another similar blog for lotions or lip balms to use empty cleaned deoderant containers for the lotions, you have more control of the product this way; and for the lip balms a suggestion was empty altoid tin containers .
ReplyDeleteI just made these yesterday and I love them! Great tutorial! I made them with coconut oil, beeswax and cocoa butter. It feels really greasy when you first put it on, but soaks in really well. I would suggest grating the beeswax...it took forever to melt in a big chunk!
ReplyDeleteI think I will try olive oil, beeswax and shea butter next time. Thanks for the great inspiration!
After reading all the comments on what oils to use, and what could you "substitute" for Cisco, I thought I would throw my "two cents" in...even though it probably won't mean anything! First of all, please remember that you are not eating the Cisco...you are applying it on your skin. For many, many years I have seen countless supermodels and actresses who "swear" in using Cisco shortening time, after time, on their face and skin. I just saw an article the other day where a woman had a hard time finding products to help the extreme dryness in her skin. She spent hundreds of dollars on products, without any success. A friend of hers suggested she use Cisco with a little melted vasoline mixed in the shortening. She tried it, and for the first time in her life' she had soft skin! Also, there was a woman (I think her name was Kimberely Douglas) who was featured on KlAndHoda Today show sharing secrets of stuff around your house (and refrigerator) and guess what was the first ingredient...that's right....Crisco shortening! She also mentioned that it would help wrinkles and "aging" skin. It must be some truth to it' because my great grandmother (during the Great Depression) faithfully put a "dab" of lard on her face each and every day until she died at 97! Her skin felt like smooth butter up to the day she died! Crisco shortening is " unhealthy" in frying foods, but it has no harsh chemicals that would effect your skin...and it is biogradeable!!! It's pure animal fat, which is as "natural" as you can get! Just passing on some information to think about!
ReplyDeleteYour skin absorbs what you put on it. Crisco would be absorbed just like any harsh chemical. Plus, what if you are a vegetarian? You wouldn't want to use animal fat on your skin any more than you want it in your body! Just passing on some information to think about :)
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I'm an esthetician but also a realist when it comes to skincare...I have tried expensive products - some I love and some that are garbage - and I also use and love some drugstore brands and homemade concoctions. I'm all for using what you've got in your pantry, so long as it's a quality ingredient, which I'm sad to say, Crisco is not.
ReplyDeleteCrisco is vegetable shortening (not animal fat - that's lard) made mostly of vegetable oil (which is a mishmash blend of the excess, unrefined or overprocessed oil NOT used for higher grade purposes), fully hydrogenated cottonseed oil, and partially hydrogenated soybean and cottonseed oil. When an ingredient is hydrogenated, it basically changes the molecular structure of the compound, also changing the way the body recognizes and processes it. In the case of these hydrogenated oils, the triglycerides become more random and difficult for the body to identify. Not all fats are created equal, and in the case of Crisco, it's simply not a healthy fat to put in your mouth or on your face considering all of the other healthy options we have. The kind of manipulated fats in Crisco have a higher chance of creating extreme irritations in sensitive skin, will congest and clog pores to no end, and will change your skin's pH to alkaline (your skin is naturally acidic and needs the acidity to fend off bacteria).
And please, don't even get me started on Vaseline. It is 100% petroleum. You know what else is made of petroleum? GASOLINE. Just because it's "natural" doesn't mean it's good for you.
These days it's incredibly easy to find good-for-you natural substitutes - coconut oil, cocoa butter, beeswax, etc. Please keep yourselves educated and aware!
I highly recommend using just beeswax and olive oil. I do this a LOT! the ration is quite different, but about 1:3 (beeswax to olive oil) is good. Another suggestion would be to use only organic. And if you have a child with eczema, you can put it in a deodorant stick container and wind it up as it runs out! Works GREAT for my daughter!
ReplyDeleteEssential oils added is really nice.
Other things you can consider are jojoba, shea butter, coconut oil... But I find Organic Olive Oil and beeswax does a wonderful job!
Except olive oil. Olive oil is known to be good for the skin, and for cooking! :) Almond oil would be great, as well as jojoba.
ReplyDeleteOh, I am SO glad to learn this. I use coconut oil all the time and despise the smell. Next jar I get, I am getting Refined!!! I am not making the lotion bar, but a thought is this: Surely one should be able to find beeswax and something to mold the bars in at a place other than Hobby Lobby. They sell primarily goods made in Chinese factories - which are not exactly known for fair labor practices.
ReplyDeleteThank you I really wanted to let these people know that the fats being talked about are not bad for your skin just because they are not healthy to eat.
ReplyDeleteJust to echo what others have said, Crisco is NOT lard--it's the furthest thing from it. Lard might indeed be good for your skin--your great grandmother certainly proved it--but I wouldn't use Crisco on or in anything if I had any choice. Even if it were good for my skin, I wouldn't support the company by buying their poison!
ReplyDeleteSomeday (maybe in 10-20 more years??) this country will realize what happened to our health when we stopped using lard and other animal fats, and allowed Crisco to convince us that vegetable oils are "better for us." Skyrocketing heart disease coincides with the introduction and proliferation of vegetable oils, margarine, and shortening in our diets. When people were still eating lard and butter, it was almost unheard of. Do your research! =)
Extra virgin coconut oil would be way better for you and your skin then Crisco. Also olive oil is a much better choice then canola. You can buy it at any health food store and some places in the States in your grocery store.
ReplyDeleteOr use Almond oil I like the smell better than the olive oil...
ReplyDeleteI make lotion bars with organic unrefined coconut oil as one of the ingredients all the time.
ReplyDeletemy dr said crisco is the best thing for dry skin
ReplyDeleteFire your doctor
DeleteGreat recipe. I will definitely be making this. :) Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteI noticed you used Bergamot oil in your lotion. One crafty-person to another please be careful with that-- bergamot actually becomes poisonous if exposed to sunlight. Even exposure to sunlight should be avoided after it is applied or rubbed on skin, can cause sun burns & other skin degrading leading to more wrinkles & even endangering yourself for skin cancer. If you're interested in reading about some bergamot oil facts there's a page on it: http://daughterotmoon.com/ingredient-facts/essential-oil-facts/bergamot-oil/
ReplyDeletecooking oil is actually better quality, because if ingested it has to be top quality. so you don't need to go searching for 'cosmetic grade'
ReplyDeletejojoba oil is actually the best for MOST skin types-- because it has the same ph as your skin & it's actually a wax although we call it an oil so it has a VERY long shelf life (especially compared to 6 mo. almond oil) If you're interested in reading about jojoba oil I wrote up some facts here: http://daughterotmoon.com/ingredient-facts/base-ingredient-facts/jojoba-oil-facts/
ReplyDeleteThese look amazing. Regular lotion doesn't absorb quick enough for my palms - which sweat really badly as it is. So I tend to end up with a huge mess in my hands.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to try this soon :)
You wouldn't want to use food/icing coloring, it will stain your hands, I'm sure. Also, agree with others, pay attention to the essential oils you use. They all have different properties and some are not meant to mix with others or modern medicines, or even pregnant women and young children!
ReplyDeleteDoesn't adding store bought stuff defeat the purpose of making your own at home that doesn't have all the chemicals in it?
ReplyDeleteI see people are suggesting the use of refined coconut oil. I don't have a problem with this, however, keep in mind that some of the health benefits are lost during this process. Extra virgin coconut oil is certainly the best.
ReplyDeleteMade lotion bars w/beeswax/crisco/canola. feels sticky. this normal or i screw up?
ReplyDeleteMine too is sticky?? Did something wrong? Going to coconut oil maybe.
ReplyDeleteGoodness, why would anyone want to put hydrogenated oil IN their body, much less on! And canola isn't any better. It goes through chemical processes to refine it! Try this recipe with unrefined oils. Think, avocado, coconut, olive oil. You will need to add more beeswax to make it more solid. Remember, what you put on your skin, goes into your body!
ReplyDeleteBe aware of the type of beeswax you are buying! Generally what hobby lobby (as the blot states) carries is candle grade wax and is NOT cosmetic grade....aka don't put it on your skin.
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