With a ton of rosemary from my garden, I infused it with virgin coconut oil for two months, and the smell is absolutely heavenly! After that, I decided to make lotion bars and lip balms using beeswax and shea butter—perfect for winter skin care. Now, anyone who drops by my place is likely to leave with one of these bottles or floral bars in hand! Here’s how you can make your own:
Materials Needed:
● Fresh or dried rosemary
● Virgin coconut oil
● Beeswax pellets
● Shea butter
● Silicone molds (floral designs for lotion bars)
● Glass jars for storing
● Double boiler or heat-safe bowl and saucepan
● Strainer
● Essential oils (optional)
Steps:
- Infuse the Rosemary:
Start by placing fresh rosemary into a clean glass jar and cover it with virgin coconut oil. Seal the jar tightly and let it sit for about two months. This slow infusion process draws out all the aromatic goodness from the rosemary.
(Optional shortcut: If you’re impatient like I can be, you can heat the jar gently in a double boiler for a few hours to speed up the infusion process!) - Strain the Oil:
Once your rosemary has infused beautifully, strain the oil using a fine mesh or cheesecloth to remove the rosemary bits. What’s left is a wonderfully fragrant rosemary-infused coconut oil. - Prepare the Lotion Bars:
Using a double boiler, melt together your beeswax pellets and shea butter with the rosemary-infused coconut oil. You can use a ratio of 1 part beeswax, 1 part shea butter, and 2 parts infused oil. Stir occasionally until everything is fully melted and combined.
(Optional: Add a few drops of essential oils like lavender or eucalyptus for extra fragrance!) - Pour into Molds:
Once the mixture is fully melted and smooth, carefully pour it into silicone molds. I like to use floral molds for lotion bars, but you can use any shape you prefer! Let the bars cool completely until they harden. - For Lip Balm:
For lip rubs, follow the same process but pour the mixture into smaller lip balm containers or tiny jars. The blend is great for winter lips! - Package and Share:
- Once the lotion bars and lip balms have hardened, pop them out of the molds and store them in jars or containers. They’re ready to gift—or use!
Now, whoever visits me will likely be leaving with one of these homemade lotion bars or lip balms. They smell heavenly, and your winter skin will love them!
