Chamomile, Calendula & Rosehip Lotion Bars

A lotion bar is one of the simplest things you can make in a kitchen, and one of the most satisfying to use. A collection of botanical allies poured together into molds and left to set into a solid bar that melts on contact with your skin. There’s no water, nothing to preserve, and no plastic bottle. You rub it between your hands and the warmth does the rest.

Dried Chamomile and Calendula steep in Jojoba Oil pulls the soothing, softening qualities of both flowers into a base that closely resembles the skin’s own naturally oils. A couple of tablespoons of Rosehip Oil go in at the end, off the heat, to keep its delicate vitamins and antioxidants intact.

You can infuse the oil two ways. The traditional method takes four to six weeks in a cool, dark cupboard and is the one to start now if you like planning ahead. The quick warm infusion takes an hour or two in a gentle water bath and gets you a batch the same afternoon. Both work. The slow one is just a little deeper in color and aroma.

What’s In the Bar

Jojoba Oil is technically a liquid wax rather than an oil, which is why it feels so at home on skin. Cold-pressed and unrefined, it absorbs without heaviness and carries the plant compounds from the infused flowers into the bar.

Chamomile and Calendula are the two classic soothing flowers of the herbal apothecary. Chamomile has long been used to calm and comfort irritated skin, and calendula is traditionally used to soften and support skin that’s dry or sensitive.* Together they give the oil a soft golden color and a gentle, honeyed scent.

Rosehip Oil is added after the heat is off. Rich in vitamins and antioxidants, it brings a lightweight, nourishing finish and a little extra glow.* Adding it last protects its delicate properties from the heat of the melting wax.

Shea Butter and Beeswax provide the structure. Shea softens and cushions, and beeswax gives the bar its firmness and a light protective layer that helps hold moisture in.

RECIPE

Infusion time: 1–2 hours (quick method) or 4–6 weeks (traditional)
Bar prep time: 20 minutes, plus cooling

Ingredients

• ½ cup (110g) shea butter
• ½ cup beeswax pellets
• 4 Tbsp chamomile- and calendula-infused jojoba oil
• 2 Tbsp rosehip seed oil
• 20–30 drops essential oil, optional (use a skin-safe dilution)

For the infused oil:

• Dried chamomile flowers
• Dried calendula flowers
• Jojoba oil, enough to cover the herbs

Make extra oil, as some will be absorbed by the herbs during infusion.

Method

Part 1: Infuse the Jojoba Oil

Option 1: Traditional infusion (4–6 weeks)

1. Fill a clean, dry glass jar halfway with equal parts dried chamomile and calendula.
2. Cover completely with jojoba oil, leaving about an inch of oil above the herbs.
3. Seal and store in a cool, dark place for 4–6 weeks, shaking gently every few days.
4. Strain through cheesecloth and store in a clean glass bottle.

Option 2: Quick warm infusion (8 hours)

1. Add the dried chamomile and calendula to a heat-safe glass jar and cover completely with jojoba oil.
2. Place the jar in a gentle water bath, keeping the oil around 100–120°F.
3. Infuse for 1–2 hours, checking the temperature occasionally.
4. Remove from the heat and strain thoroughly.

Wait another 6 hours for the infusion to fully solidify before use. Always use completely dried herbs and keep water out of your infused oil.

Part 2: Make the Lotion Bars

1. Melt: Using a double boiler, gently melt the beeswax.
2. Combine: Add the shea butter and 4 Tbsp of infused jojoba oil. Stir until completely melted.
3. Add rosehip: Remove from the heat and let the mixture cool slightly while still liquid. Stir in the 2 Tbsp rosehip seed oil.
4. Add essential oils: If using, stir them in once the mixture has cooled slightly.
5. Pour: Transfer into silicone molds and let cool completely until solid.

How to Use

Rub the bar between your hands or directly onto your skin, and your body heat will melt the oils and butters into a light, silky layer. It works best after bathing, while skin is still slightly damp.

Storage: Keep in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Bars are best used within about 3–6 months, depending on how fresh your oils are.

Tip: If your bars come out too firm, remelt with a little more jojoba oil. If they’re too soft, remelt with a little more beeswax.

Shop The Ingredients

Jojoba Oil: organic, cold-pressed, and unrefined, lightweight and deeply compatible with the skin’s natural barrier

Rosehip Oil: organic, cold-pressed, and unrefined, rich in skin-supportive vitamins, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids*

Chamomile Flowers: dried flowers for infusing, traditionally used to calm and comfort the skin*

Calendula Flowers: dried flowers for infusing, traditionally used to soften and support dry or sensitive skin*

Explore more botanical skincare recipes in the Blog.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.