Making my first lotion bar, a little guidance?

[Pepsi Girl]

Sorry if this is a stupid question but I'm really curious as to what lotion bars are used for. Based on the name I assume they are moisterizing but do you wash with them?

It's not stupid, they are lotion in bar form. So no you don't wash with them, you just rub them anywhere you put lotion. Hope that makes sense!

 

[kazmi]

Thanks! and makes sense. I'll have to learn a little more about lotion bars since that may be something I would like to use

 

[Pepsi Girl]

O yes, you will love them!

 

[Triquetra]

No question is a stupid question!

I've had many customers ask what a lotion bar is and how to use it - its not something of the norm we see at the big box stores so its out of our radar.

 

[squeakycleanuk]

I'd never heard of them till I found this forum and have since made some and was amused to discover that my mum had intended on using it in the bath because she just thought it must be a moisturising soap :mrgreen: Its easy to see why people would think that though, so I guess they need to be carefully labelled.

 

[Triquetra]

I too would appreciate anyones input on lotion bar recipies. I am going to go for my third try soon and would like to know what has been successful for others.

My first round I used natural cocoa butter and the scent overwhelmed my fragrance..
Second round, too much wax and I made lotion 'rocks' :lolno:

If you still wanted to go with Cocoa Butter try the Natural Deodorized type - that is what I use in all my products so as to not have the chocolatey smell in them.

I use equal parts oils, butters and beeswax in my lotion bars. They aren't too hard or too soft but just right (as Goldilocks said!).

 

[welsh black]

I know this is an old thread, but just looking to make some bars myself and was hunting for some advise. I have some mica glitter is this ok to add to the mix? Really I'm going to make a perfume bar to use on the body, arms shoulders ect, and I thought I might add some sparkle as well. How much fragrence should I add, I've only made soap before so I'm not sure how much is ok ?
Thanks in anticipation.

 

[SparksnFlash]

I have added some very fine "glitter" like super pearly white mica, or copper sparkle mica. When used they give a sort of shimmer, but not super sparkly. I tried glitter once and it was too harsh. I also use FOs and EOs in my bars about 2-3ml to 60oz (vol) of oils/butters. You can play with the fragrance, and some are heavier than others. Good news, you can always remelt if they are too strong or too weak, and adjust the fragrance.

 

[welsh black]

Good idea !! I didn't think of that!!

 

[dixiedragon]

I have used mica in mine and it's quite pretty!

As for fragrance, I use Brambleberry's fragrance calculator:
http://www.brambleberry.com/Pages/Fragrance-Calculator.aspx

I use the "lotion" option.

 

[Dorymae]

Just wanted to comment on your question with lard, tallow. I have never tried lard but I do know that tallow is one of the very best things for your skin. The important thing is that it is scrupulously clean. I've never bought it I render my own, a very long and tedious process, so I don't know of any suppliers to recommend.

I use lard in some of my soaps but I haven't tried it in a lotion bar or creams.

 

[LunaSkye]

I use lard in some of my soaps but I haven't tried it in a lotion bar or creams.

I know lard can be used in the same way as vegetable-based hard oils, but the shelf life would make me not want to use it in creams or lotion. I also rendered some lard not too long ago and the smell puts me off more from using it in anything other than soap. Im curious as to whether anyone made a successful lotion or cream using lard or any other animal fat.

 

[Dorymae]

I've make lotions and emulsified body butters with tallow. I do add vitamin E for an anti-oxidant as well as preservative.