Shea Butter Lotion Bar Sticks

On average women use about 19 bodycare products a day that contain an estimated 500+ different chemicals. In college my bathroom was filled with dozens of hair products, skin products and makeup containers with hundreds of ingredients. These shea butter lotion sticks though have just 5.

I’ll admit that I’m a skin care product addict. Thankfully though I learned the benefits of natural products years ago and switched all of my toxic ingredients out for healthy ones. 

Since switching I still have dozens of personal care products in my bathroom but now they’re packaged in glass jars. Instead of phthalates, parabens, and artificial fragrance you’ll find ingredients like shea butter, cocoa butter, and honey. There are a lot of great natural skincare products on the market now, but I still enjoy making my own too. 

Benefits of Shea Butter Lotion

Lotion bars are some of my favorites and they’re much easier to use than regular lotion. Especially when I had little kids who liked to get into everything! I started making them in repurposed plastic deodorant containers, which makes them even easier to apply. You can also use these eco-friendly cardboard tubes. 

In the fall, I love using shea butter lotion. It naturally protects skin from dry, cool weather and some say it helps the skin naturally produce collagen. Research has also showed shea butter has natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. That means it’s great for calming irritated skin and protecting it from free radical damage. 

A 2025 study showed that shea butter immediately and drastically increases skin hydration, prevents moisture loss, and improves skin barrier function. In many places, it’s a revered remedy for keeping skin looking young and it really does make skin softer than a baby’s bottom.

More Skin Protecting Ingredients

Not only do these feature shea butter, but they also have a few other skin loving ingredients. Coconut oil provides MCT oil and a whole host of benefits that you’ve probably heard me brag about before. Coconut oil helps repair the skin barrier, has mild anti-bacterial effects, reduces inflammation, is antioxidant, and helps skin age more gracefully. Then there’s beeswax to help thicken and provide even more skin barrier protection to keep skin hydrated. 

I love adding in my favorite essential oils to make this an all-over skin nourishing remedy. You can use any skin safe oils you prefer, but I usually opt for a blend of chamomile, geranium, and sweet orange. If your skin is really sensitive or you’re using this for very little ones, then omit the essential oils. 

Here’s how to make your own shea lotion bars!

How to Use Shea Butter Lotion Bars

These shea butter lotion bars are great for dry, thirsty skin that needs extra hydration. It goes on silky smooth and I’ll put it anywhere I need some more moisture. I don’t use it on my face though since my face tends to have plenty of natural oils. However, I know many women who love to use shea butter on the face and this would be an easy way to apply it. Experiment and see what works for you. 

Notes On Shea Lotion Bar Sticks

• This recipe makes enough for one 2-ounce lotion bar tube. Double or triple the recipe if desired to make more.
• For a firmer lotion bar stick, use more beeswax. For a smoother lotion bar stick, use less beeswax and more coconut oil or olive oil.
• Shea butter has a different melting point than other oils and butters so it can get grainy in skincare products. An easy way to fix this is to make sure they cool down in the fridge before using. You can store them at room temperature though. 

More Lotion Bar Recipes

Once you start making homemade lotion bars it’s hard to stop! Here are some more of my favorite natural lotion bar recipes. 

What are some of your favorite skincare products to make? Leave a comment and let us know!