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Home » Essential Oils

Easy DIY Lotion Bars - Vanilla Bean Recipe

Published: Jan 18, 2024 · Modified: Apr 20, 2025 by Tara Jacobsen

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I love having natural beauty products to use! This mini lotion bar recipe, with it's shea butter, olive oil and vanilla goodness is perfect for using a quick moisture loving treat for yourself!

Why I Wrote This Post

I have been dabbling in natural beauty for a while now since I took an essential oils class years ago! Using non-packaged beauty products is driven by my desire to understand exactly what goes onto my skin.

After experimenting with various ingredients and scents, I stumbled upon the perfect combination – shea butter, coconut oil, beeswax, vanilla bean powder, and vanilla essential oil. It's a blend that not only nourishes the skin but also indulges the senses.

These single-use bars are not just a treat for your dry skin, but these homemade lotion bars are also incredibly convenient to carry around. Whether you're traveling, heading to work, or just out for a casual day, these little bars of joy fit perfectly in your pocketbook.

About The Lotion Bar Ingredients

It is funny that when you start breaking down natural ingredients, each and every one of them serves a purpose... could be moisturizing, could be exfoliation, could just be a great aromatherapy scent that you love.

If you are learning about how to live a more natural life, pay attention to the different properties of the things you put into your skincare to find out what works best for you!

Shea Butter: Shea butter is rich in vitamins A and E, offering exceptional moisturizing properties and aiding in skin healing.

Shea butter to use in lotion bars

Coconut Oil: It has deep moisturizing capabilities and soothing properties make it a staple in skin care.

Beeswax: Beeswax acts as a natural skin protector, sealing in moisture without clogging pores. It also gives our lotion bars their perfect shape.

Vanilla Bean Powder: Vanilla bean powder adds a gentle exfoliating element and a luxurious scent.

Vanilla Essential Oil: The aroma of vanilla is comforting and relaxing. Plus, it adds an extra layer of subtle fragrance to the bars.

Vanilla Essential Oils For Soap Making

Ingredients

There are just 5 ingredients in this amazing bar... and I bet you have at least some of them in your house right now!

  • 1.5 oz shea butter
  • 1.5 oz coconut oil
  • 1.5 oz beeswax
  • 15 drops vanilla essential oil
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla bean powder

Supplies

The thing I love about making this kind of project is that once you have bought the basic supplies you can use them for so many thing! For I used this silicone mold for lotion bars AND soap AND shower melts!

  • Square silicone mold
  • Microwave safe measuring cup with spout
  • Wooden craft stick for stirring
  • Kitchen scale

Instructions:

Makes 12 single use bars

Note, you will need to weigh these supplies using a kitchen scale. A small inexpensive one will work just fine, as the amounts are low.

Add the shea butter, coconut oil, and beeswax to the measuring cup, and heat in 30 second intervals, stirring between each heating session, until fully melted.

Easy DIY Lotion Bars - Vanilla Bean Recipe

Stir in the vanilla bean powder and vanilla essential oil. Mix well.

Easy DIY Lotion Bars - Vanilla Bean Recipe

Carefully pour the mixture into your molds. Let them cool and set for a few hours, or until completely solid.

Easy DIY Lotion Bars - Vanilla Bean Recipe

Gently pop out your lotion bars. Store them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place or wrap them individually to pop in your purse.

Using Your Lotion Bar

Simply rub the bar between your hands or directly on the desired area of your skin. Your body temperature will soften the bar, releasing the moisturizing oils and delightful vanilla scent.

These are great for the winter months when I get more dry skin and am tempted to dip into ready made skincare products.

If you live in Florida like I do, or during the summer months, you can refrigerate these to last longer in your purse, but if you leave your pocketbook out in the direct sunlight at your son's lacrosse game, it will melt into a soupy mess (ask me how I know!)

DIY Vanilla Lotion Bars Wrapup

These DIY Vanilla Bean Lotion Bars have become a staple in my daily skincare routine. They are not just a way to take care of myself, but also another step towards embracing natural beauty practices.

Give them a try and let your me know if they have worked as well for you as the did for me!

Here are a few more natural beauty recipes you may like!

  • Buzz-Worthy Beehive Natural Honey Soap
  • 10 Ways To Get Rid of Eye Bags Naturally
  • DIY Rose Petal Sugar Scrub Bars

More Essential Oils

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    13 Must-Have Essential Oils for Women Embracing Their Second Act (and How to Use Them Like a Pro)
  • How To Make Shower Steamers (The Ultimate DIY Guide!)
    How To Make Shower Steamers (The Ultimate DIY Guide!)
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  • Eucalyptus and Lavender Healing Foot Balm: DIY Bliss for Your Tired Tootsies
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Jacobsen Family!

Welcome!

Here to show that being a "sandwich" Mom and caregiver doesn't have to be all doom and gloom… let's have some fun with the madness! Tips and ideas for how to care for your kids, parents and self! Let's share some laughs and just try to make it out alive!

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Artsy Fartsy Life
Tara L. Jacobsen, PA
tara (at) marketingartfully.com
(727) 415-9165 (text please)

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