Natural Dandelion Lotion Bars

Here at TBW, we are staunchly pro-dandelion. The alleged “weed” is a gorgeous, abundant, amazing plant with a myriad of benefits that are ignored by the fake news about lawn care. In this post, we’re covering one way to access the skincare benefits of dandelions by making a long-lasting, durable lotion bar.

Reasons to Make Natural Dandelion Lotion Bars

Lotion bars are especially nice for a few reasons.

• They are super compact, with all the water that makes lotion so thin and spreadable removed. This leaves just the oils and butters you need for moisturizing.
• They use less plastic if you purchase them. If you make them they use zero plastic!
• They’re great for those demographics who need the moisture (i.e. small kids and husbands who don’t like “stuff on their hands”) but have underdeveloped motor skills (the babies) and attention spans (um, both).
• They also make super sweet gifts, wrapped in wax paper and sealed with a sticker or tied with twine.

Dandelions are said to have several skin benefits including anti-aging properties by encouraging skin cell reproduction. Because of that and its vitamin C content, it’s also good for soothing inflamed and irritated skin, although I wouldn’t put this lotion directly on scratched or broken skin.

Dandelion Lotion Bar Ingredients

When I first started making my own bath products, the biggest hurdle was buying the ingredients. It felt like a big leap to spend the money on beeswax and shea butter. Those things were so new to me. What if I didn’t use them? What if I hated the products?

I didn’t realize is that these ingredients can be stored for a long time and go into tons of things. They are so versatile! They can be used to make bath and home products, for you, your family, and for gifts. Also, if you like organic and natural products already, you’re going to be fine. You already know you like the smells and texture of real, natural bath products, but this time around you have all the control!

To make these bars, you’ll need to first make dandelion infused oil, the recipe for which you can find here. It takes two weeks, so in the meantime, you can soothe your frustration by making my dandelion lemon cookies!

Process

1. Fill your saucepan with a couple of inches of water. Set up a double boiler by putting your bowl over the pot or setting your glass measuring cup into the water.
2. Add your shea butter, beeswax, and dandelion oil into the bowl/cup.
3. Turn the heat to medium-low to begin melting the oils and butters.
   • Do not let your water boil, hon. It will just make a mess.
   • Also, settle in, angel. Melting beeswax takes a while, so just be patient and don’t rush it.
4. While your mixture is melting, and please stir very occasionally, set up your mold.
   • Silicone molds are the best, but you don’t have to use them. You can use a muffin tin lined with cupcake liners or a mason jar lid and ring inverted on a cutting board. Silicone molds are pretty cheap and come in a million different sizes and shapes. Choose one that looks the best to you!
   • Optional: You can sprinkle a few dried dandelion petals into the bottom of your mold if you like. Pictured you can see some with and some without the petals.
5. Once your mixture is completely, totally melted, and I mean there are no little shadows of the beeswax pellets floating around like souls in that horcrux cave in Harry Potter, turn off the burner and remove the bowl/cup.
6. Let it cool for about 15 seconds, then add your essential oils.
7. Carefully pour the mixture in your molds. You can pour as close to the top as you prefer.
8. Let them set up for 10-15 minutes until they look kind of solid, then move them to the fridge.
9. Let them set up in the fridge for at least an hour. When you’re ready, pop them out of the molds, and they are ready to use!

Tips for Using your Dandelion Lotion Bars

• Keep it under 75 degrees or so. If you don’t like to run your AC or don’t have one, you might keep this in the fridge. How nice would a cool lotion rub feel after a hot shower?!
• Be careful keeping it in the bathroom. Even if you run your AC, the heat from your shower or bath in a closed room might make this bar play it loose, so keeping it in your bedroom while you shower might be a better idea. You could also just make sure to store it in a glass or plastic container in your bathroom if you don’t mind the bar getting soft when it’s humid in there.

These are fairly soft lotion bars, which is awesome for absorbing into your skin. Their floral, light scent is a perfect example of the earthiness of the season. Dandelion lotion bars are such a soothing balm to roughed-up gardening hands and pink, sun-kissed skin.

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For more photos of this recipe and all the other homemaking projects I’m doing, including recipes, knitting patterns, and other home projects, find me on Instagram!

Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor or medical professional. Any health benefits listed are my opinion, not a professional recommendation.