The Cure for Dry Cracked Hands

December 14, 2022 Kerrieanne Lischka

Tis’ the season for cracked dry skin. During the winter months, the cold temperatures and dry air draw moisture from your skin. NewYork Presbyterian has an excellent article with 10 tips for protecting your skin during the winter.

The list contains great tips, including moisturizing daily. During cold and dry months, it may be time to change up your moisturizer. You can learn more about picking the best moisturizer by reading our recent blog post.

If your skin is extremely dry and cracked, you might try adding a moisturizer with beeswax. Bees make one of the oldest raw ingredients that when used in skincare products forms a protective barrier on the skin’s surface. When beeswax is used in skincare products, it protects skin from environmental irritants and winter weather. Beeswax creates a barrier all while allowing the skin to breathe freely, it is an exceptional non-comedogenic (non-pore blocking) ingredient. Beeswax is the glue that holds lotion bars together and helps lock in moisture without clogging pores. Lotion bars are a natural alternative to conventional moisturizers, making them suitable for sensitive skin.

One of our favorite products for winter is zero waste beeswax lotion bars. We call lotion bars or bee bars. You may also know them as solid lotion bars. Their solid form makes them easy to use and portable.

The bars are a concentration of quick absorbing oils, butters, and beeswax to protect and nourish your skin. This provides a moisture packed bar that remains solid at room temperate and melts with the warmth of your body. Coconut oil is hydrating and antimicrobial, helping lotion bars go on smoothly without feeling greasy. Body temperature softens the bar for easy application. In addition to the skin loving properties they are portable, eco friendly, and are long lasting.

To use, simply rub the bar onto the desired area, such as elbows or knees, for best results.

If you search online, you will find several recipes and videos on how to make lotion bars. When we started making lotion bars we used the Wellness Mama lotion bar recipe

The homemade lotion bar recipe includes equal parts coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax. You can add in vitamin e oil and essential oils to increase the nourishing powers of the bar. Using more beeswax will result in a firmer bar, and you can adjust the ingredient ratios for a softer or firmer texture. Swapping ingredients is easy—try using beeswax and cocoa butter together for enhanced texture and shelf life. For vegan options, candelilla wax or carnauba wax are great plant-based alternatives to beeswax, and wax provides structure to the bar. Beeswax pellets are a convenient option for measuring and melting. You can also substitute carrier oils like olive oil, jojoba oil, or sweet almond oil for coconut oil. The nourishing butters, such as cocoa butter and shea butter, are rich in fatty acids that help moisturize and improve skin health.

Making your own personal care products gives you control over all the ingredients and allows for customization to suit your needs. Creating your own homemade beauty products is rewarding and lets you avoid unnecessary additives. Making lotion bars is also part of a broader tradition of herbal remedies and natural wellness.

Our recommendation is to make the lotion bars and place warm oil mixture in silicone molds. We prefer a 1.5” circle lotion bar mold, so the bars will fit in 2” sealable tins. Once you determine your container, gather all the ingredients. For packaging ideas, consider using muffin tins or candy molds for different shapes and presentation. This recipe makes six 1.5-inch bars.

Lotion bars make wonderful gifts—a great idea for holidays or special occasions. For best shelf life, store your lotion bars in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight; they can last up to a year if stored properly. Lotion bars have a shelf life of several months to a year since they do not contain water and do not require preservatives.

Equipment Needed

Making homemade lotion bars is simple, and you don’t need any fancy equipment to get started. The most important tool is a double boiler, which allows you to heat your ingredients gently and evenly—this helps prevent scorching the oils and butters. If you don’t have a double boiler, a small saucepan with a heat-resistant bowl set on top works just as well. You’ll also want a measuring cup to portion out your beeswax, coconut oil, and shea butter, and a sturdy spoon for stirring everything together as it melts.

When it comes to shaping your lotion bars, silicone molds are a great choice because they make it easy to pop out the finished bars once they’ve cooled. If you prefer a more portable option, lip balm tubes or even small tins can be used to create travel-friendly homemade lotion bars and lip balms. After pouring your melted mixture into the molds, placing them on a baking sheet can help you move them easily and keep your workspace tidy while the bars harden. With just these basic tools, you’ll be ready to make your own nourishing lotion bars at home.

Instructions:

Before you begin, gather and measure all the ingredients using measuring cups to ensure accuracy and a smooth process.

These instructions will guide you through melting and combining the ingredients, emphasizing the importance of heating gently over low heat.

Combine beeswax (beeswax pellets can be used for convenience) and coconut oil in a double boiler and heat gently over low heat, stirring to begin melting the ingredients.
Continue stirring until all the ingredients are completely melted and fully melted together.
Remove from heat and add shea butter, stirring until melted. After the mixture has cooled slightly, stir in optional ingredients (vitamin E and adding essential oils). We love using lavender essential oil, patchouli essential oil, and orange essential oil to create a beautiful scent and add to the healing properties.
Once the mixture is fully melted and homogeneous, it should be poured into molds and allowed to cool and harden.
Allow bars to sit for 24 hours and then remove from mold.

As you get comfortable with the recipe, you can substitute oils and butters. We recommend trying mango butter and cocoa butter. When you swap out oils, mango butter, or cocoa butter, you may have to adjust the ratio of oils, butters, and beeswax. We stick with the same mold, but it would be fun to swap out shapes for holiday gifts. Hearts for Valentines, Flowers for teacher gifts, etc.

Don’t Want to Make Them?

If making your own lotion bars isn’t your thing, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the benefits of these nourishing skincare products without any of the work. Many online shops and specialty skincare stores offer a wide selection of lotion bars made with natural ingredients like cocoa butter, shea butter, and coconut oil. Making lotion bars at home is generally cost-effective compared to purchasing commercial products. You’ll often find homemade lotion bars crafted with essential oils such as lavender essential oil, which is especially soothing for dry skin and sensitive skin.

For those who prefer to shop local, check out craft fairs or artisan markets—many small businesses and makers sell their own homemade lotion bars, often using unique blends of oils and butters. When choosing a lotion bar, look for products that highlight natural ingredients and essential oils, and consider options labeled as “non greasy” or “solid lotion” for a comfortable skin feel during everyday use. Whether you’re shopping online or in person, reading the ingredient list ensures you’re getting a quality bar packed with skin-loving oils and butters. With so many options available, it’s easy to find a lotion bar that fits your needs and keeps your skin feeling soft and hydrated.