The Question We Get at Every Craft Show: 'Wait... What's a Lotion Bar?'

“Is That… Soap?”

Hey friends! Stacie here. You know what question I hear at literally EVERY craft show?

Customer picks up a lotion bar, smells it, looks confused

“Wait… what IS this? Is it soap?”

Me: “It’s a lotion bar!”

“A lotion… BAR? Like solid lotion?”

Me: “Exactly!”

“So… how do you use it?”

And that’s when I know we’re about to have a great conversation.

Lotion bars are one of those products that confuse people at first glance - they look like soap, they’re solid like soap, but they’re definitely NOT soap. And once people understand what they are and how to use them, they become obsessed.

So let me clear up the confusion once and for all. This is everything you need to know about lotion bars - what they are, how to use them, why they’re amazing, and why I started making them in the first place.

What IS a Lotion Bar? (The Simple Explanation)

A lotion bar is exactly what it sounds like: lotion in a bar form.

Instead of liquid lotion in a bottle, it’s solid moisturizer in a bar - kind of like a bar of soap, but it’s NOT soap. It won’t clean your skin. It’s purely for moisturizing.

Think of it this way:

• Soap = cleans your skin
• Lotion = moisturizes your skin
• Lotion bar = moisturizes your skin (but solid instead of liquid)

Here’s the magic: When you rub a lotion bar on your skin, your body heat melts it slightly, and it glides on smooth, leaving a layer of moisturizing oils and butters behind.

No pump bottle. No squeezing tube. Just a solid bar that melts with your body heat and hydrates your skin.

How to Use a Lotion Bar (It’s Easier Than You Think)

People always ask, “Okay, but HOW do I use it?”

It’s incredibly simple:

Step 1: Warm It Up

Hold the lotion bar in your hands for a few seconds. Your body heat will start to soften the surface.

Step 2: Rub It On

Glide the bar directly over the areas you want to moisturize - hands, arms, legs, elbows, feet, wherever needs hydration.

The bar will leave a thin layer of nourishing oils and butters on your skin.

Step 3: Massage It In

Use your hands to massage the moisturizer into your skin until it’s fully absorbed.

That’s it. Three steps. Super easy.

Pro Tips:

• Best time to use: Right after a shower while your skin is still slightly damp. The moisture helps the lotion bar absorb even better.
• Rough spots: Focus on areas that get extra dry - elbows, knees, heels, hands in winter.
• A little goes a long way: You don’t need to scrub the bar all over. A few swipes is usually plenty.

Lotion Bar vs. Regular Lotion (What’s the Difference?)

Okay, so if lotion bars and regular lotion both moisturize your skin, why choose one over the other?

Great question! Here’s the breakdown:

Lotion Bars:

• Ingredients: Typically just oils, butters, and beeswax (simple, natural)
• Texture: Solid at room temperature, melts with body heat
• Packaging: Minimal or zero-waste (often just a tin or paper wrap)
• Travel-friendly: TSA-approved! No liquid restrictions
• Longevity: Lasts WAY longer than a bottle of lotion (one bar can last months!)
• Absorption: Rich and nourishing, best for very dry skin
• Learning curve: Takes a few uses to get the hang of it

Regular Lotion:

• Ingredients: Oils, butters, water, emulsifiers, preservatives (more complex)
• Texture: Liquid or cream
• Packaging: Plastic bottles or tubes (less eco-friendly)
• Travel: Counts as a liquid (TSA restrictions apply)
• Longevity: Goes faster (you tend to use more per application)
• Absorption: Varies (some lightweight, some heavy)
• Learning curve: Familiar - everyone knows how to use lotion!

Neither is “better” - they’re just different tools for different situations.

I use regular lotion (our whipped body butter!) on most of my body daily. But I keep a lotion bar in my bag for my hands, and I use one on my feet before bed in winter. They serve different purposes.

Why I Started Making Lotion Bars (The Origin Story)

I didn’t start making lotion bars because I saw a market opportunity or read a business article about trending products.

I started making them because my hands were DESTROYED.

Let me take you back a few years. I was making soap multiple times a week - mixing oils, handling lye (with gloves!), washing equipment, cutting bars, packaging products. My hands were constantly in and out of water, exposed to changing temperatures, working hard.

And they looked like it. Dry, cracked, rough. No matter how much regular lotion I slathered on, within an hour my hands felt dry again.

Then I stumbled across the concept of lotion bars in a soapmaking forum. People were raving about them for super dry skin. I was skeptical - how could a solid bar work better than liquid lotion?

But I was desperate enough to try.

I made my first batch using a simple recipe: shea butter, cocoa butter, beeswax, and a few drops of essential oil. No water, no emulsifiers, no preservatives - just pure oils and butters solidified into a bar.

I used it on my hands before bed.

The next morning? My hands felt INCREDIBLE. Soft, smooth, actually HYDRATED for the first time in months.

I was hooked.

The Magic Ingredients (What Makes Lotion Bars Work)

Lotion bars are deceptively simple. Most recipes - including ours at Momma Bears Creations - use just three main types of ingredients:

1. Butters (The Moisture Powerhouses)

Shea Butter and Cocoa Butter are the stars here.

• Shea butter is deeply moisturizing, rich in vitamins A and E, and absorbs beautifully into skin.
• Cocoa butter is luxurious and nourishing, with a slightly sweet chocolate scent.

These butters provide the HYDRATION your skin craves.

2. Oils (The Smooth Glide)

We use coconut oil and sometimes jojoba oil or sweet almond oil.

• Coconut oil absorbs quickly and isn’t greasy (despite being an oil!).
• Jojoba oil mimics your skin’s natural sebum - it balances without clogging pores.
• Sweet almond oil is gentle, nourishing, and great for sensitive skin.

These oils give the lotion bar that smooth glide and help the butters absorb.

3. Beeswax (The Structure)

Beeswax is what makes the bar SOLID. Without it, you’d just have a puddle of melted butters and oils.

Beeswax also adds a protective layer to your skin - it locks in moisture without suffocating your pores.

That’s it. Three categories of ingredients. No water, no chemical emulsifiers, no synthetic preservatives.

Simple. Natural. Effective.

Who Should Use Lotion Bars? (And When)

Lotion bars aren’t for everyone in every situation. Here’s who they’re PERFECT for:

You Should Try Lotion Bars If:

1. You have very dry skin Lotion bars are RICH. They’re ideal for people whose skin drinks up regular lotion and stays thirsty.

2. You need targeted moisture Great for dry hands, cracked heels, rough elbows, or any specific dry patches.

3. You travel frequently TSA won’t confiscate your lotion bar! Perfect for carry-on bags.

4. You want minimal waste Tired of plastic lotion bottles? Lotion bars usually come in a simple tin or paper packaging - way less waste.

5. You like natural, simple ingredients If you prefer knowing exactly what’s going on your skin, lotion bars are beautifully transparent.

6. You work with your hands Mechanics, nurses, crafters, gardeners - anyone whose hands take a beating will LOVE lotion bars.

Lotion Bars Might Not Be Right If:

1. You prefer lightweight moisture Lotion bars are rich. If you want something light and quick-absorbing for everyday use, try our whipped body butter instead.

2. You want an all-over body moisturizer Technically you CAN use lotion bars all over, but it’s more time-consuming than slathering on liquid lotion. Most people use lotion bars for specific areas.

3. You have very oily skin The richness of lotion bars might be too much if your skin already produces a lot of oil.

Real Customer Stories (Why People Love Our Lotion Bars)

Over the years at craft shows and through our Carlisle Creative Vibes retail spot, we’ve heard SO many lotion bar success stories:

“My hands were CRACKING from all the hand washing at work…”

A nurse bought a lotion bar at Pumpkinfest two years ago. She came back the next year to tell me she keeps it in her locker and uses it after every shift. Her hands went from cracked and painful to soft and healthy.

“I can’t believe how long this lasts!”

Multiple customers have told us one lotion bar lasts them 3-6 months of regular use. Compare that to a bottle of lotion that’s gone in a few weeks!

“I use it on my feet before bed and my heels are finally soft.”

This is one of my FAVORITE uses. Rub a lotion bar on your feet before bed, put on socks, wake up with baby-soft heels. Magic.

“Finally something I can travel with!”

Frequent flyers LOVE lotion bars. No TSA hassles, no leaking in your bag, no worrying about liquid limits.

“My son has eczema and this is the only thing that doesn’t irritate his skin.”

Parents of kids with sensitive skin or eczema appreciate the simple, natural ingredients. No synthetic fragrances, no harsh chemicals - just pure moisture.

How Long Does a Lotion Bar Last? (The Surprising Answer)

This is one of the best things about lotion bars: they last FOREVER.

Okay, not literally forever. But compared to liquid lotion? They’re incredibly long-lasting.

Here’s why:

1. You use less per application With liquid lotion, it’s easy to squirt out way more than you need. With a lotion bar, you’re more intentional - a few swipes, massage it in, done.

2. No water means more concentrated moisture Liquid lotions are often 60-80% water. Lotion bars are 100% active moisturizing ingredients. You need less to get the same (or better!) results.

3. They don’t evaporate or dry out Ever open a bottle of lotion that’s been sitting for a while and find it’s separated or dried up? Lotion bars don’t have that problem.

On average, one of our lotion bars will last:

• 3-6 months if you use it daily on your hands
• 6-12 months if you use it a few times a week on targeted dry spots
• Even longer if you only use it occasionally for rough heels or elbows

That’s a LOT of value in a small bar.

Lotion Bars vs. Body Butter (What’s the Difference?)

We make both lotion bars AND whipped body butter at Momma Bears Creations, and people often ask: “What’s the difference? Which should I get?”

Great question! Here’s the breakdown:

Lotion Bars:

• Form: Solid bar
• Best for: Targeted dry areas (hands, feet, elbows)
• Texture: Rich, takes a moment to absorb fully
• Convenience: Travel-friendly, zero waste
• Use case: Before bed on feet, throughout the day on hands, specific dry patches

Whipped Body Butter:

• Form: Fluffy cream in a jar
• Best for: All-over body moisture
• Texture: Lighter, absorbs faster
• Convenience: Easy to slather on large areas
• Use case: After shower all-over moisturizer, daily body care

Think of it this way:

• Lotion bars = Targeted, intensive moisture for specific areas
• Body butter = Lighter, all-over daily moisture

Many of our customers use BOTH - body butter for daily all-over moisture, and a lotion bar for their hands or feet that need extra TLC.

How to Store Your Lotion Bar (Keep It Happy!)

Lotion bars are pretty low-maintenance, but here are a few tips to keep them in great shape:

1. Keep It Dry

Don’t leave your lotion bar sitting in water or in a damp shower. It won’t dissolve like soap, but it’ll get messy. Store it in a dry spot.

2. Use a Tin or Container

Most lotion bars (including ours!) come in a small tin. Keep it in there when you’re not using it. This keeps it clean and makes it easy to toss in your bag.

3. Avoid Extreme Heat

Lotion bars can melt if left in a hot car or in direct sunlight. They’ll re-solidify when they cool down, but it’s messy. Store in a cool, dry place.

4. Don’t Worry About Expiration

Because lotion bars don’t contain water, they don’t need preservatives. Ours will stay good for 1-2 years easily (though they’re usually used up long before that!).

Our Lotion Bars at Momma Bears Creations

At Momma Bears, we make our lotion bars the same way we make everything else: small batches, natural ingredients, lots of love.

Our lotion bar recipe:

• Shea butter - Deeply moisturizing, rich in vitamins
• Cocoa butter - Luxurious, nourishing, slightly sweet scent
• Coconut oil - Absorbs quickly, not greasy
• Beeswax - Provides structure, locks in moisture
• Essential oils (optional) - For a light, natural scent

No synthetic fragrances. No artificial colors. No preservatives needed.

Just pure, simple, effective moisture in a convenient bar form.

We offer several scent options:

• Cocoa Butter - Rich, chocolatey scent, deeply moisturizing
• Lavender - Calming, relaxing, great for bedtime foot care
• Mango - Tropical, sweet, uplifting
• Sandalwood - Warm, earthy, sophisticated
• Pumpkin - Seasonal fall favorite, cozy and comforting
• Vanilla - Soft, sweet, classic scent

Find them at:

• Our booth at East Pennsboro Pumpkinfest (our favorite event!)
• Carlisle Creative Vibes retail shop (152 N Hanover St, Carlisle, PA 17013)
• Online through Carlisle Creative Vibes’ website

Try One (You Might Get Hooked Like I Did)

I totally understand the skepticism. When I first heard about lotion bars, I thought, “That sounds weird. I’ll stick with regular lotion.”

But once I tried one? Game changer.

My hands went from cracked and painful to soft and healthy. I started keeping lotion bars everywhere - one by my bed for nighttime foot care, one in my bag for on-the-go hand moisture, one at my soapmaking station.

Now I can’t imagine NOT having lotion bars in my life.

And I’ve watched hundreds of customers at craft shows go through the same journey:

1. “What’s a lotion bar?” (confusion)
2. “Oh, so it’s solid lotion?” (curiosity)
3. “Let me try a sample…” (skeptical testing)
4. “Wait, this is AMAZING. I’ll take three.” (conversion!)

If you’ve never tried a lotion bar, I encourage you to give it a shot.

Worst case scenario? You’re out a few bucks and you’ve learned something new.

Best case scenario? You discover your new favorite skincare product and wonder how you ever lived without it.

Come Ask Me About Lotion Bars!

If you’re still confused or you want to try one in person before buying, come visit us!

At our Carlisle Creative Vibes booth: 152 N Hanover St, Carlisle, PA 17013 www.carlislecreativevibes.com

At East Pennsboro Pumpkinfest (our biggest event every fall!)

Or shop online: Momma Bears at Carlisle Creative Vibes

Got questions? Reach out on Facebook or through our Contact page - we love helping people find the right products for their skin!

And next time you’re at a craft show and you see a lotion bar, you’ll know exactly what it is and how to use it. No more confusion. Just happy, hydrated skin.

— Stacie, Maddi & Scott (Momma Bears Creations, Enola, PA)

P.S. - If you try a lotion bar and you love it (or even if you hate it!), let us know! We’re always curious about people’s experiences with our products. Real feedback helps us keep making things that actually work for Central PA families.

See also

• Beyond Candles: Unique Self-Care Gifts That Actually Get Used
• Why Stacie Creates: It's About Joy, Not Just Business
• Why We Call It 'Forever Care': The Four Ways I Explain Tattoo Luv at Craft Shows
• 5 Benefits of Handmade Soap Your Family Will Notice (From a Central PA Mom)
• Why We'll Never Make Soap in a Factory (And Why That's a Good Thing)