How to make it
- 1Melt beeswax first — it takes longest
Place beeswax pellets in a glass bowl over a pot of simmering water. Beeswax has the highest melting point of the three ingredients. Stir gently and wait until fully melted before adding the others.
- 2Add cocoa butter and coconut oil
Once the beeswax is fully liquid, add the cocoa butter and coconut oil. Stir continuously until both are melted and the mixture is completely uniform. Remove from heat.
- 3Add essential oil off the heat
Allow the mixture to cool slightly for 2–3 minutes (it should still be liquid but not piping hot). Add your essential oil and stir well. Adding oil to very hot wax burns off the fragrance.
- 4Pour into moulds
Pour the liquid into silicone moulds, a muffin tin lined with paper cups, or any small heat-safe mould. Work quickly — beeswax solidifies fast. Fill each mould to just below the rim.
- 5Leave to set fully — do not refrigerate
Allow bars to set at room temperature for at least 2 hours. Do not move or refrigerate while setting — this causes white streaks and uneven texture. The bars are ready when completely opaque and firm.
- 6Unmould and wrap
Once set, pop the bars out of the moulds. Wrap in parchment paper or store in a tin. To use: rub directly on skin or hold in palms for 10 seconds to soften slightly first.
Equal parts beeswax, cocoa butter, and coconut oil is the classic lotion bar formula because each ingredient plays a distinct role: beeswax gives the bar its solid structure, cocoa butter provides the rich emolliency, and coconut oil gives it slip and helps it melt quickly on contact with skin warmth. Change the ratio and the bar either becomes too hard (more wax) or too soft (less wax).
Key ingredient benefits
- Use shea butter instead of cocoa butter for a lighter, less scented base
- Add 1 tsp vitamin E oil for extra shelf life and skin healing properties
- Use lavender + chamomile essential oils for a calming bedtime body bar
- Add 1 tbsp arrowroot powder for a less greasy, more powdery finish on the skin
- Use candelilla wax instead of beeswax to make a fully vegan version