As the holiday season unfolds, we are offered many opportunities for warmth and connection with the people we love and care about. During these times of connection, it brings me joy to combine my love of essential oils with making the people in my life thoughtful gifts. I find myself immersed in the delight of sharing not just presents, but experiences infused with the magic of essential oils.
There's a special enchantment in crafting practical and personalized gifts, a sentiment that resonates deeply with my love for DIY projects. And so, with the holidays upon us, I'm thrilled to share the first installment of my DIY holiday gift series. Join me in combining essential oils, creativity, and the joy of giving to create heartfelt presents that capture the spirit of the season.
In this article I'm sharing how to make easy moisturizing and luxurious feeling DIY lotion bars featuring my special Three Wise Men blend. I will cover everything from ingredients to directions, ensuring you can make these delightful bars for yourself or as thoughtful gifts. You will also find other essential oil combinations, so you can save this article to make these lotion bars at any time and not just for the holidays.
Ingredients and Supplies for DIY Lotion Bars:
Optional: Gold Mica Powder. (For the Three Wise Men DIY Lotion Bar I like to “paint” on gold mica powder to represent the gold given to baby Jesus by one of the wise men. The gold mica not only makes the lotion bar pretty it also gives the skin a shimmering effect when applied.)
Directions:
- Melt shea butter (or cocoa butter), coconut oil, and beeswax pellets in a double boiler. I recommend melting these ingredients in a jar designated for melting beeswax – it makes the process much smoother.
- After melted, remove from the double boiler and stir in essential oils.
- Sprinkle in arrowroot powder while stirring briskly – you want to prevent the arrowroot from clumping.
- Pour the mixture into molds and let sit for an hour or more.
- Remove from molds and store in a metal tin or glass jar with a lid.
- To use, rub onto the skin to moisturize as needed.
Molding and Setting
Surprisingly, these lotion bars usually set in less than an hour – depending on the mold you use. Feel free to use various molds, from silicone cupcake molds to recycled Altoid tins—there's plenty of flexibility for gifting.
Packaging Ideas
To add that finishing touch, I love experimenting with creative packaging. Metal tins work well, and if you have round tins from other projects, those are great too. Tie it all together with a ribbon and a thoughtful gift tag, and you've got a unique and personal present.
The Three Wise Men DIY Lotion Bars
Now, let's talk about the star of the show—the Three Wise Men blend.
The tale of the Three Wise Men, also known as the Magi, is a narrative from the biblical account of the birth of Jesus. According to the book of Matthew, these wise men from the East traveled bearing precious gifts for the newborn: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Gold symbolizes kingship and wealth, frankincense is a fragrant resin often used in worship and ceremonies, and myrrh is an aromatic resin associated with healing and embalming.
I drew inspiration from this historical account in the creation of the Three Wise Men DIY Lotion Bars. The combination of Frankincense and Myrrh essential oils in the lotion bars mirrors the symbolic gifts offered to baby Jesus. Just as the Magi presented these treasures to honor and celebrate the divine birth, these lotion bars, infused with the essence of Frankincense and Myrrh, become a modern manifestation of thoughtful gifts. These lotion bars echo the spirit of the Three Wise Men not only by sharing the physical benefits of the essential oils but also the tradition of giving with purpose and reverence.
To make the Three Wise Men Lotion Bar Version with Frankincense, Gold, and Myrrh: add 12 drops Frankincense essential oil and 6 drops Myrrh essential oil to your melted ingredients. Once the lotion bars have solidified use a foam brush to gently dust on gold mica powder after removing from molds. Alternatively, you can mix in 1/4 teaspoon or more of gold mica into the melted mixture before pouring into the molds. The gold mica also offers a festive touch to these bars and is perfect for this time of year.
If you are making these lotion bars for an occasion other than the winter holidays or you just want to use different essential oils, you will find more essential oil combos later in the article. Of course, you can always use any combination you want, I just like to offer my favorites as ideas.
Benefits of Frankincense and Myrrh Essential Oils
Frankincense:
- Frankincense promotes skin cell regeneration, helping to maintain a youthful appearance.
- It has anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe irritated skin and reduce redness.
- Known for minimizing the appearance of scars and blemishes.
Myrrh:
- Myrrh is rich in antioxidants that protect the skin from free radicals, preventing premature aging.
- Acts as an effective moisturizer, preventing dryness and flakiness.
- Myrrh has antimicrobial properties, aiding in the healing of wounds and skin irritations.
Benefits of Ingredients
Each of the ingredients used in this recipe are thoughtful and beneficial for the skin.
Coconut oil is a powerhouse of moisturization. Its unique combination of fatty acids hydrates the skin deeply, leaving it soft and supple. Additionally, its antimicrobial properties make it an excellent choice for maintaining healthy skin.
Shea butter and cocoa butter offer rich emollients with a myriad of benefits. Packed with antioxidants, they promote skin elasticity, aiding in the reduction of stretch marks and scars. These butters provide a protective barrier, sealing in moisture and preventing dryness.
The inclusion of beeswax provides a natural barrier for the skin, effectively sealing in the nourishing properties of the other ingredients. This not only adds firmness to the lotion bars but also ensures easy application without clogging pores.
While optional, arrowroot powder brings a delightful touch to the lotion bars. Its presence reduces the greasy feeling often associated with homemade skincare products, providing a silky texture that enhances the overall application experience.
Beyond their captivating aromas, doTERRA essential oils bring therapeutic benefits to the lotion bars. The Three Wise Men blend, is great for skin-soothing and healing properties. These oils contribute to a holistic skincare experience, promoting both physical and mental well-being.
Alternative Lotion Bar Combos:
Frankincense and Lavender (or Roman Chamomile): A calming and soothing blend, perfect for relaxation before bedtime.
Lavender: Known for its calming properties, lavender creates a gentle and pleasant aroma.
Citrus Bloom: A refreshing combination that invigorates the senses with a burst of citrus.
Balance: Ideal for promoting a sense of balance and tranquility.
Adaptiv: Designed to provide calming effects, especially during stressful times.
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