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Gingerbread Man Lotion Bars

Filed Under: Bath & Body Tutorials, Lotion

Difficulty: Beginner
Time: About 30 minutes - 1 hour
Yields: Three 4 oz. Bars

These adorable Gingerbread Lotion Bars are made with coffee butter, jojoba oil and cocoa butter to protect skin from the harsh winter weather.

The winter months are notorious for dry and cold air, which can cause extreme skin dryness and flakiness. During this time, skin needs extra moisture to stay comfortable and hydrated. If your skin needs additional TLC during winter, these Gingerbread Lotion Bars are made with a combination of extremely skin-loving oils and butters. Cocoa butter and coffee butter in particular are excellent for creating a barrier that helps your skin retain moisture. They also smell amazing! Combined with Cinnamon Sugar Fragrance Oil, these bars leave a sweet and spicy smell on the skin.

To help the adorable features on the gingerbread man pop, the bars are “painted” with Copper Sparkle Mica mixed with 99% isopropyl alcohol. The alcohol dries, leaving behind lines of sparkly mica. For the first few uses, the bars will give your skin a light sparkle. If you love the Gingerbread Man Mold as much as I do (it’s so cute!), check out the Cheery & Bright Gingerbread Man Melt and Pour Tutorial. If you prefer classic holiday colors, the video below shows you how to make adorable gingerbread man soaps. They make perfect gifts for friends and family.

Packaging and shipping lotion bars can be a little tricky because they are extremely heat sensitive. I recommend keeping these bars in a dry, cool place. If the bars come in contact with heat, they can melt. For tips on shipping during warm weather, check out this post. This box template is the perfect size for the adorable Gingerbread Man Mold. Simply print out the template on plain paper and use the template to trace onto cardstock. You can also print the template directly on cardstock if your printer will allow. Then, fold up the cardstock to create a perfect box for showcasing your gingerbread man creation! You’ll want to line the bottom of the cardstock box with freezer paper to prevent the gingerbread lotion bar man from getting the box all oily. Also, this box won’t hold oil, in the event you ship to someplace extra hot that melts your little gingerbread man lotion bars in transit.

What You’ll Need:
Gingerbread Man Mold
2.4 oz. White Beeswax
.7 oz. Coffee Butter
1.1 oz. Cocoa Butter
1.9 oz. Jojoba Oil
2.9 oz. Avocado Oil
4 mL Cinnamon Sugar Fragrance Oil
Copper Sparkle Mica
99% Isopropyl Alcohol

Click here to add everything you need for this project to your Bramble Berry shopping cart!

These adorable Gingerbread Lotion Bars are made with coffee butter, jojoba oil and cocoa butter to protect skin from the harsh winter weather.

ONE: In a small heat safe container, add the white beeswax, coffee butter, cocoa butter, jojoba oil and avocado oil. Place in the microwave and melt using 1 minute bursts until all the oils, butter and wax is completely melted. Be very careful when removing the container; it may be extra hot.

ONETWO: Measure out the Cinnamon Sugar Fragrance Oil and add to the melted mixture. Use a spoon to thoroughly mix in the fragrance oil. 

TWOTHREE: If the mixture is extremely hot (over 140° F), stir the mixture until it cools. If you pour the mixture into the mold while it’s super hot, it may warp the mold. Once it has cooled to below 140° F, carefully pour the mixture into the molds and allow to thoroughly cool and harden. This can take several hours, so be patient. =) You can put these in the fridge to help them harden up extra quickly.

THREEFOUR: Once the bars have completely cooled, remove them from the mold by pulling on the sides of the mold to release the airlock. Then, firmly press the back of each cavity with your thumb or the palm of your hand until the bars pop out. Next, mix 1/2 tsp. Copper Sparkle Mica into 1/2 Tbs. rubbing alcohol. Stir to get rid of any clumps.
FOURFIVE: Use a small paintbrush to paint the details of the gingerbread man mold with the mica mixture. Allow the mica details to completely dry.

FIVESIXOnce you’ve painted all the details, the bars are ready to use! For the first couple uses, the mica will leave a soft shimmer on the skin. Store these bars in a cool place, because they can melt in higher temperatures!

Gingerbread Lotion Bars Tutorial

Have you started making holiday gifts yet? While it’s only the end of October, now is the time to get started! =)

5.0 from 5 reviews

Gingerbread Man Lotion Bars
 
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These adorable lotion bars are made with a combination of super hydrating oils, and make great holiday gifts!
Author:
Recipe type: Lotion Bars
Serves: 3 Bars

Ingredients
  • Gingerbread Man Mold
  • 2.4 oz. White Beeswax
  • .7 oz. Coffee Butter
  • 1.1 oz. Cocoa Butter
  • 1.9 oz. Jojoba Oil
  • 2.9 oz. Avocado Oil
  • 4 mL Cinnamon Sugar Fragrance Oil
  • Copper Sparkle Mica
  • 99% Isopropyl Alcohol

Instructions
  1. In a small heat safe container, add the white beeswax, coffee butter, cocoa butter, jojoba oil and avocado oil. Place in the microwave and melt using 1 minute bursts until all the oils, butter and wax is completely melted. Be very careful when removing the container, it may be very hot.
  2. Measure out the Cinnamon Sugar Fragrance Oil, and add to the melted mixture. Use a spoon to thoroughly mix in the fragrance oil.
  3. If the mixture is extremely hot (over 140° F), stir the mixture until it cools. If you pour the mixture into the mold while it’s extremely hot, it may warp the mold. Once it has cooled to below 140° F, carefully pour the mixture into the molds and allow to thoroughly cool and harden. This can take several hours, so be patient =)
  4. Once the bars have completely cooled, remove them from the mold by pulling on the sides of the mold to release the airlock. Then, firmly press the back of each cavity with your thumb or the palm of your hand until the bars pop out. Next, mix ½ tsp. Copper Sparkle Mica into ½ Tbs. rubbing alcohol. Stir to get rid of any clumps.
  5. Use a small paintbrush to paint the details of the gingerbread man mold with the mica mixture. Allow the mica details to completely dry.
  6. Once you’ve painted all the details, the bars are ready to use! For the first couple uses, the mica will leave a soft shimmer on the skin. Store these bars in a cool place, because they can melt in higher temperatures!

 

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43 Comments

  1. Okay I loved these, but they are a little melting even at 68 degrees, any ideas for storing (I was going to send them to friends but I am not sure I trust postal service not to melt them)

    Also not sure you are keeping up on this but ideas to make a harder bar I can send?

  2. This looks like it would be amazing but I am allergic to avocado is there anything I can replace the avocado butter/oil with. I would love To make these.
    Thanks so much!

  5. hi
    how can a person use them ? i meant in the shower with water . or i put it in my dry skin
    ?

  6. HI there ! I love your blog !! Thank you for sharing!
    Where did you buy the Gingerbread Man Mold?
    THank you!

  7. Hello,

    I am just starting out trying to make some soaps. Can you tell me why my fresh lavender buds turn brown when using clear glycerin soap? The soap process was melting the soap in the microwave. Also what should I used to wrap and preserve my soaps. In the future I would like to start making cold press soaps.

    Thank you for taking your time in answering my questions.

    Gloria

  8. will the vanilla content in the fragrance oil discolor the lotion bars or does that only happen when making soap? Really excited to make these!

    • Hi Lori!

      These bars don’t need to cure! Cold process soap needs to cure because the last bit of lye needs to turn into soap, and they have water that needs to evaporate. These lotion bars don’t contain lye, so they are ready to use right away. 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

  10. Love this idea!! I have a question about lotion bars in general for selling. Are lotion bars under FDA rules and regulations? I can’t find the answer to this question anywhere. My soap is just “soap” so not under their rules but I’d really like to sell lotion bars too.

  12. So…. i made these and love them. But now I want to set them aside for gifts–how do I package them to ensure they are not damaged. I know they are firm, but I also know they are going to get pretty beat up if I don’t protect them. Any suggestions?

    Thanks… love all these projects! They all turn out so great 🙂

    • So glad you’re loving these projects Vicky! I would recommend wrapping the gingerbread men with plastic wrap to keep them nice and fresh. Then, you can pop them in a box (plastic, cardboard or metal would all work fine) to protect the bars from getting bumped. 🙂

      We have a fun template that fits these bars perfectly. You can just print the template out on plain paper, then cut the shape on card stock for a great packaging option: https://www.brambleberry.com/Box-Template-for-Gingerbread-Man-P6024.aspx?ItemId=34970530

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

  13. Reading this tutorial has given me an idea for a gift for a sweet friend of mine. She dearly loves sparkle and shine. Would adding mica into the lotion bar instead of painting it on give her shimmer every use? She’s a mature lady, so not teenager sparkle. Something subtle is what I have in mind. Ideas?

  14. I have been thinking about buying a few of the gingerbread molds and using them to make 100% coconut oil christmas themed cp soap, rather than lotion. I was wondering if I use coconut milk as the liquid would I need to reduce the super fat down from 20%

  15. I love the Gingerbread Man soap! I make it every year and look forward to the holidays when I can make it again 🙂

    • So glad you love that soap Michael! As soon as I see that soap it puts me in the holiday mood. 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

  16. The gingerbread men are so cute! I do have a question, I have everything to make these bars except I don’t have any coffee butter. Is there another butter I can use like shea or mango butter which I do have? If so, would I use the same amount as indicated for the coffee butter?
    Thanks for your help! Christina

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