This DIY Calendula Solid Lotion Bars recipe uses calendula petals, shea butter, coconut oil and other natural ingredients to soothe and nourish dry skin.
Infuse olive oil with calendula using one of these two techniques. Place a few tablespoons of calendula in a mason jar and cover with at least 3 tablespoons of avocado oil. Either let sit in the sun for two weeks to infuse or use the warm infusion method. To infuse the oil using the warm infusion method, place the jar on top of a mason jar ring in a pan of water. Fill the pan with enough water to cover the oil, but be careful that no water gets in the jar or your lotion bars will spoil quickly. Heat on medium-low to medium for two hours. Strain out the herbs with cheesecloth and discard them, reserving the infused oil.
Combine beeswax, coconut oil, shea butter and the infused calendula oil in a double boiler. Heat until completely melted, stirring occasionally, until it's clear.
While it’s melting, use a mortar and pestle to grind the calendula flowers. It doesn’t have to be a fine powder, but you don’t want any large chunks either.
When the lotion mixture is melted, carefully remove the double boiler from the heat. Add the ground calendula and stir well. Allow it to begin to cool just until the top starts to harden. Stir again then pour the hot lotion mixture into a silicone mold.
Allow your calendula lotion bars to cool undisturbed for an hour or until completely hardened. You can feel the bottom center of the molds to see if they're still warm at all. You can also put them in the fridge to harden more quickly. Once they're completely hardened, pop them out of the silicone molds and store in an airtight jar.
Notes
How to use calendula solid lotion bars:
Either place one between your hands to warm it up, then smooth into skin. Or you can warm it directly on the skin your want to nourish and moisturize. I love how you can't really end up with too much lotion when you use a lotion bar!