Soothing Sunshine Lotion Bars

Turn sunny yellow flowers such as calendula, sunflowers, chamomile, and/or dandelions into skin soothing sunshine lotion bars!

These sunny lotion bars are infused with a combination of sunflower, calendula, dandelion, and chamomile flowers and the tiniest pinch of turmeric.

They’re perfect for rubbing over dry hands, feet, knees, elbows, or other dry spots.

The recipe was created by my daughter a couple years back, so I’ve invited her over here to write up how to make them!

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Soothing Sunshine Lotion Bars

To make these lotion bars, you’ll first need to make an infused oil. Choose at least one or two of the flowers listed below, or use all four, like I did!

The turmeric gives just a touch of color. Keep a light hand with the amount so you don’t turn your skin yellow!

Ingredients for Infused Oil

• Dried sunflower petals
• Dried calendula flowers
• Dried chamomile flowers
• Dried dandelion flowers
• Powdered turmeric (optional)
• Sesame Oil (or your favorite oil)

To make your infused oil, heap the sunflower petals, calendula flowers, chamomile flowers, and dandelion flowers all in roughly equal parts in a heat-safe container, such as a half-pint mason jar. Aim to fill your container at least 1/2 to 3/4 of the way full of plant matter.

As an optional add-in, add the tiniest sprinkle of powdered turmeric when adding the dried herbs to the jar – less than even 1/8 a tsp, just a literal sprinkle- to get a brighter yellow color in the finished lotion bar.

Fill the container all the way up with sesame oil. Place container in a small saucepan of water over low heat for 2 hours to kick-start infusion, then remove from heat. Let cool, secure a lid over the top of the container, and place in a sunny windowsill to finish infusing. Shake daily. Infusion is ready to use as early as 2 weeks, but will grow stronger the longer it is allowed to infuse.

When you are ready to use the oil to make the bars, strain the plant matter out, and discard. Keep the oil! It will keep, covered, in a cool, dark location for about a year, or until the oil begins to smell rancid.

To Make the Bars

The infused oil is now combined with beeswax, shea butter, and cocoa butter. (Use unscented cocoa butter if you don’t want a chocolate-like scent.)

Fractionated coconut oil helps the bars absorb into your skin faster, but if you don’t have any, you can use more infused oil in its place.

You may wish to scent your lotion bars: A nice combination for this recipe is sweet orange with a few drops of bergapten free bergamot to enhance the citrus scent.

• 25 grams (0.88 oz) infused oil, from above
• 7 grams (0.25 oz) fractionated coconut oil, or more infused oil
• 33 grams (1.16 oz) beeswax
• 16 grams (0.56 oz) shea butter
• 17 grams (0.6 oz) cocoa butter
• optional: 10 to 20 drops essential oil for scent
• Small-cavity heat-safe silicone molds

In a heat-safe container, measure the oils, butters, and beeswax. Place this in a small saucepan of water over a stovetop burner set to medium low, and allow to melt together, occasionally stirring to speed the melting process.

Once completely melted, remove from head, and pour the liquid lotion bar mix into the silicone molds. After pouring, leave to set up until solid.

When lotion bars are solid and cooled to the touch, they’re done! Pop them out of their molds, and they’re ready to use right away.

Lotion bars keep for at least 9 months to a year, or until the oils in them start smelling rancid. Store in a cool dry place; high temperatures will make your lotion bars soft and melty.