Homemade Baby Lotion Bar
Make Your Own Baby Lotion Bars
Baby’s skin is so naturally soft and sensitive. There are countless choices of lotions and creams to put on your babe – but most are expensive and actually full of questionable ingredients.
This is a recipe for a very simple, nourishing, and safe baby lotion bar. I prefer to use the bar instead of plain ol’ lotion, as it is less oily and messy, providing a smooth and thin layer of cream.
It is also wonderful for rubbing on your hands and giving your baby a gentle massage.
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Coconut Oil
- 1 Cup Beeswax
- 1 Teaspoon Vitamin E (Optional)
Instructions
Melt 1 cup of grated beeswax.
I buy a large block of beeswax and grate it myself (actually, i just cut it into small pieces), as it is much cheaper then buying the little pellets (the pellets are more convenient, though, if that’s what you’re looking for). Beeswax can be purchased at many places: local markets, online, or at Michael’s.
Remove from the heat and stir in 1 cup of coconut oil.
Raw coconut oil has anti-fungal properties. For this reason, I try not to “cook” the coconut oil, just melt it in the warm beeswax. It still gets to a smooth consistency with a wire whisk.
I then stir in 1 tsp of vitamin E, but this is optional.
Pour into silicone moulds, cookie tins, or a loaf pan. Once it has set (it will feel set in minutes, but try to leave them for a few hours) pop them out of their moulds, or slice into bar shapes. This batch makes about 10 good size bars.
I love the bars just like this, but if it is too oily for your liking, try adding 1 tablespoon of cornstarch.
The cost breakdown:
1 cup coconut oil = approximately $1.75 (this can be bought at any grocery store)
1 cup beeswax = approximately $2 (I bought a one pound block from Michael’s for $20 – this gives me at least 10 cups)
1 tsp vitamin E = approximately $0.50 (I bought mine at Rexall, but this is certainly not the cheapest place – I just got it while redeeming points)
Total cost: $4.25 divided by 10 bars = $0.43 cents a bar
This is just with regular-priced items at regular stores – buying in bulk, online, with coupons, and on sale will lower this cost considerably!
One bar lasts us at least 2-3 weeks, used almost daily. A much smaller batch could be made, but I love to give bars away to friends and family with wee ones. I am always asked for them.
Making your own baby lotion is a great way to save your family money while purchasing baby items. They are also great to give as gifts!
Comments
I want to try this!! My youngest has a bit of eczema so a lot of store bought lotions (even ones meant for eczema) irritate her skin!
Thanks for the great idea!!
I love this but here it costs $10 for 454 grams of coconut oil. Certainly not cheap.
I agree. Coconut oil is not the cheapest. But 500 mL at No Frills is $6.50 regular price and does go on sale. It can be bought in bulk online for even less. I am still on the hunt for finding it inexpensively -someone suggested Costco – but I haven’t gotten there yet! Considering how much you use in a recipe, it still makes for an inexpensive final product 🙂
I really love this idea and want to try it as my toddler has mild eczema and my baby seems to have some similar skin issues as well.
Sarah, you mentioned some might find it a tad oily for their preferences, so I’m wondering if you’ve ever found it to be greasy or staining on clothes and blankets?
thanks for this great idea, I’m really loving your frugal and DIY posts.
Thanks Julia! Great question. I have never had any trouble with staining. And, as you may know I use a natural laundry detergent and still no issues. In fact, it doesnt seem to leave any sort of residue. It soaks into the skin quite quickly. We use it after bath, rub on, and into jammies almost immediately. My oldest had trouble with mild eczema as well and this has really helped her. As long as she uses it regularly her skin is not itchy and looks nice and smooth.
Costco has a giant jar – like 1.5 kg? or more for around $15 which is super cheap compared to our grocery stores in NL.
This looks so easy! Like, so easy that even I…the Queen of unfinished projects could do it! Assuming I could make it to my kitchen past the discarded knitting, crochet, mosaic tiles, jewelry making, handbag design and sewing I was sure I could do, too! LOL
But THIS time will be different…
There should be a “1/2 Finished Etsy” for someone to buy our unfinished junk, turn ’em into something & shame us!
You’re hilarious!! You can do this one! It is truly so easy!!!
I love this idea! I have a new little one on the way and with my first, I had a hard time finding good quality lotions that didn’t have a bunch of excess stuff in them.
My husband also has eczema and this would be great for him and also for my dry skin.
I am always looking for new easy to diy products so that I know what’s going in and on my family’s bodies. Thank you Sarah!!!
I made these today but with arrowroot instead of cornstarch. Question. How do you apply it on baby? I’m rubbing it on my hands but I can’t get enough on to then put it on the baby. Do you rub the bar directly on to baby’s skin?
I would suggest holding the bar in your hands for 15 seconds or so to warm it first, then it should be softer in your hands to apply to babe. You can also apply it directly to baby’s skin. If you like the lotion a bit softer, next time perhaps add a bit less arrowroot powder – or try the original recipe with no powder at all – I prefer it that way myself 🙂
Good ideas. Ty!!!!
How did you get the wax broken up? I’ve been pounding it with a hammer with little success. Also, is using beeswax at all related to not giving babies honey before age 1?
Thanks!
Can I ask how you figured out the cost per bar? I see the breakdown but I’m curious how you got the individual costs such as $1.75 for a cup of coconut oil. I’ve been trying to figure this out to price my own recipes! Thank you!