Beauty DIY: Lavender Lotion Bars

One of the worst consequences of our cold Alberta winters is dry skin.  It seems no matter how often I moisturize, it's never quite enough.  I've long known the benefits of using oils to moisturize but wanted a better way to apply them so decided to make my own lotion bars, taking it back to my days of using lush body lotion bars in high school. Not only are they so easy, there's something reassuring about being totally in control of what goes in what you're putting on your skin.  The more aware I get, the more I'm trying to make more conscious choices about the skincare products I'm using, trying to stray away from harsh chemicals, so for those reasons as well - these lotion bars are great!

So if you want to try making some of these for yourself (how great would these be as homemade christmas gifts?!) here's what you'll need:

1/4 cup beeswax // 1/4 cup raw cocoa butter // 1/4 cup coconut oil // silicone ice cube tray (or other silicone mold - this one is a "jumbo ice cube tray" from bed bath and beyone // lavender essential oil //

 *in edmonton I bought all of the ingredients at Earth's General Store

Begin by melting your beeswax and cocoa butter over a double broiler (a glass dish over a pot of boiling water does the trick too) until they've melted.  If you can cut the beeswax into smaller pieces, this will move along more quickly - that's probably the most difficult part of the entire process.  Once they're melted, add the coconut oil and essential oil (as much or as little as you like, depending on your personal preference).  Carefully pour into silicone trays and allow to harden overnight then you're done! If you have culinary lavender, you can even add that in while the lotion is setting as an added touch!