This is day three of the 12 Days of Christmas DIY Recipes series, showing you how to use your essential oils and make your own essential oil infused gifts. Today’s project focuses on showing you how to make beautiful, luxurious body lotion bars.

I’ve tried making homemade lotions before but have to say, I prefer body lotion bars over lotions. I’m hooked on them! Unlike lotions, lotion bars don’t require the addition of any emulsifying ingredients like homemade lotions do, which can be tricky. Lotion bars are solid at room temp, but when rubbed on your skin the heat from your body melts it leaving a thin layer of moisturizing ingredients clinging to your skin.

Homemade body lotion bars make wonderful gifts any time of year but are especially appreciated during the winter months. Between the dry, cold winter air and low humidity in our homes and office environments, it can be a real challenge to keep your skin hydrated. At least I know it is for me. There are lots of ways to make these and the possible variations are endless.

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I love using the combination of Frankincense and Myrrh. Both have a very long history going back thousands of years. Frankincense is referred to as the FATHER OF ALL OILS! Both are well established and both are often used in skin care products. Well known for their skin supporting properties they are a pair made in heaven. Frankincense (Boswellia carterii) may help smooth the appearance of healthy looking skin and is the key ingredient in many products, including Boswellia Wrinkle Cream, Brain Power, Awaken, Highest Potential, and Forgiveness. It has a woodsy, warm, balsamic aroma. Myrrh has an earthy and uplifting aroma and may improve the appearance of dry. With their many and varied benefits no home should be without them. No wonder they were given to the Christ child at his birth.

Below is the recipe I use. Depending on where you live, you can determine the “hardness” of the bar by either increasing or decreasing the amount of shea or cocoa butter you put in. For those living in warmer climates I would suggest increasing the amount of the shea or cocoa butter, one tablespoon at a time until you reach the desired consistency, or hardness.

Ingredients Needed
1/3 cup coconut oil
1/3 cup shea butter and cocoa butter (total)
1/3 cup beeswax
Optional: 1/2 teaspoon Vitamin E oil, or 1/4 tsp Vit E oil and 1/4 tsp Argon oil

10-15 drops of your favorite Young Living essential oils. (I used 8 drops Frankincense and 7 drops Myrrh in this batch.)

Instructions
Combine all ingredients except essential oils in a double boiler and heat til melted. Or you may prefer like me, to use a quart sized jar instead. Just place all ingredients (except the essential oils) into the jar, and place the jar in a small sauce pan with a couple inches of water. Bring water to a water and stir until all ingredients are completely melted. No need to wash out the jar- just place lid on jar and set aside until you need to make another batch.

Once ingredients have melted remove jar from pan and add essential oils. Stir slightly to mix. Carefully pour into molds or whatever container you want them to harden in. I prefer silicon molds, but any type mold will suffice. Allow to cool completely then pop out of molds and place on wax paper. I like to wrap in parchment paper and tie off ends. Then either store these until ready to use, or give away as gifts!

When first attempting to make these I would suggest making a small batch by following the above ratios until you make your first couple of batches and know whether or not you want to make them a little harder or not. It should only take a batch or two to determine if these are hard enough for you and your climate.

I like to apply in the morning immediately after showering and drying off. Once you try these I think they’re going to become your best winter friend too.

At Young Living, we encourage everyone to live healthy, chemical free lifestyles… ones that includes the use of our premium-grade essential oils. We like to call it living an “Oil Infused Lifestyle”. Those people who experience the best results with essential oils are the ones using their oils everyday. Remember, if you’re new to essential oils be sure to check out this page. Begin slowly and wait to see how you respond to them. Do you want to experience the same amazing results that you see and hear being experienced by others? Then use them consistently. Every. Single. Day.

Blessings on your journey… and happy OILING!

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Click here to learn how to begin incorporating them into your life!

12 Days of Christmas DIY Body Lotion Bars, holiday gift ideas