For MOPS spa day we made these:
I love this stuff! To use, rub on hands or body. Also good as a chapstick. It’s done a good job for me of keeping some eczema at bay that I developed in the past year on my thumb and eyelids (Odd locations- who knows why?!). I don’t have to worry about continued exposure and potential side effects to the prescribed steroid ointment, and I can use it on my face, unlike the ointment. I’ve also used it effectively on my kids for diaper/wet underwear overnight rashes.
I gave some for late Christmas presents, and even had some takers when I offered it to my rough working uncles, dad, and grandpa. I think they’ll really use it for burns from welding and other rough on the skin work- they weren’t just taking it to be nice 😉
Instructions based on a recipe found here at Crunchy Betty.
Very simple, 3 ingredients- beeswax, coconut oil, and shea butter.
There’s a recipe at Little House in the Suburbs that I haven’t tried, but it does contain more common ingredients- namely, shortening and vegetable oil instead of coconut oil and shea butter. Both use beeswax. I’m not sure how solid the other version would be, or how greasy it may feel.
I used an electric fry pan with water to function as my double boiler for this group craft. I set it to about 250. You can also do this in a pan of water on the stovetop or in a (microwave safe) container in the microwave.
The can is a mushroom can- any similar small clean can would work- I wouldn’t recommend glass for this due to temperature change, though. You can use glass if you’re going to do this in the microwave instead of a double boiler. I did have to add water over the course of our time at spa day, since the water evaporated relatively fast. Just don’t add too much, or your cans may tip over!
The stir stick is just a popsicle stick.
I had no trouble lifting the can without a hot mitt, and we had no trouble at our Spa day. But use caution, your can MAY heat up and could cause a burn if left too long or if the water is particularly hot.
Ingredients:
1/4 cup lightly packed grated beeswax. Mine is straight from the bee keeper, but any kind should work. I used a peeler to grate off thin pieces of wax, then lightly pressed in a baggie lined measuring cup.
1/4 cup coconut oil. The “solid at room temperature” oil contributes to the firmness of the final product. Liquid oils make a very slimy, melty bar. I did heat the oil in the jar so it was liquid to make it easier to scoop out 1/4 cup for our spa day. It will still need to be re-melted after adding it to the beeswax since it has such a lower melting temperature.
1/4 cup shea butter. Mine is natural, unrefined. This is the only thing I had to buy online- I couldn’t find it at any stores locally. This scooped beautifully with a trigger icecream scoop into a baggie- the scoop holds 1/4 cup.
Melt the beeswax. Add the coconut oil and allow all to heat/melt again. Last, add the shea butter last and keep on heat just until melted. I’ve run across info that it can get “grainy” if heated too much and too long, but I didn’t experience it myself. Stir occasionally after each addition.
I took the can off the heat to add items- less chance of dropping extra bits in your water, and it will help with space for a group craft.
Immediately pour into forms- we’re using ice cube trays form the dollar store. This recipe just fills the silicone one with possibly a touch extra or a touch less. Unfortunately, they didn’t have them anymore when I went to buy trays, so I just got regular ones, and it didn’t fill the whole tray. We put names on with a sharpie marker. Let it cool when you’re done. I put mine in the fridge because I’m impatient. We had fridge space and did the same for our MOPS spa day. It doesn’t take that long for them to set up.
Pop them out of the molds once they’re firm. They pull away from the sides of the molds a bit once they’re fully set. store in a baggie or wrapped in wax paper.
I didn’t add scent- I love the smell of the beeswax. But you can if you want to. Add your scent after everything is melted together before you pour it into the molds, and make sure it’s skin safe.
Here’s what I used as a directions printout for our ladies for spa day:
Lotion bar directions:
Put 1/4 cup (1 baggie) beeswax in can. Place in hot water bath until melted. stir occasionally with a popsicle stick.
Remove from heat. Add 1/4 cup coconut oil. Return to heat, melt, stir occasionally.
Remove from heat. Add 1/4 cup (1 baggie) shea butter. Return to heat JUST until melted, the last bits don’t have to be completely melted on the heat. (You don’t want to overheat the shea butter.)
Remove from heat. Stir until the last of the shea butter is melted.
Pour into ice cube trays and set aside to firm up. Can be put in the fridge to speed up the firming process.
Pop out of the ice cube tray and store in a baggie or wrap in wax paper to transport. Don’t carry it around in your pocket or leave it in your hot car!
Pure and Simple Life 