Orange & Vetiver Lotion Bars

by Karyn Maier

These adorable lotion bars are easy to make and oh-so-soothing for dry or sensitive skin. They're great to have on hand anytime, but especially during the colder months when harsh wind can take a toll on our hands. Cacao butter provides an abundance of nourishing fatty acids and lends a chocolate-like fragrance, while the bright scent of sweet orange lifts the spirit. Vetiver essential oil is steam distilled from the roots of Vetiveria zizanioides, a perennial grass in the bamboo family (Poaceae) prized in aromatherapy, perfumery and skin care for its warm, earthy aroma. For best results, use a small scale to measure ingredients. Also, note that coconut oil is a solid at room temperature.

Ingredients

1.5 oz. beeswax pastilles (about 3 tablespoons)

5 oz. cacao butter wafers (about 6 wafers)

2.5 oz. coconut oil

25 drops sweet orange essential oil

15 drops vetiver essential oil

Directions

Place the beeswax and cacao butter in the top of a double boiler, with the bottom half filled with a few inches of simmering hot water. Gently melt over low heat, stirring now and then. When completely melted, turn off the heat. Add the coconut oil and stir until melted. Add the essential oils and stir to combine. Pour the mixture into prepared molds. All the molds to set up for 8 hours or overnight undisturbed. Pop the bars out of the molds and store in 2-ouncw metal tins in a cool, dark place. Makes about six 2-inch bars. To make a larger batch, scale up the ingredients keeping the ratio the same.

Great gift idea! Get the ingredients and tins to make this....