These natural bug repellent solid lotion bars are made with essential oils. They are easy to take with you and won't spill. A pinch of arrowroot powder makes them nongreasy, so you don't feel oily after using them.

It's been summer for about a week here in Ohio, and we are loving it. We love spending time outside, and there's always outside work to do on a farm.

Unfortunately, we aren't the only ones who like to be outside. The mosquitoes have been enjoying the nice weather, too.

Having a pond and being surrounded by corn fields plus the heavy rains and flooding we got in June create the perfect breeding ground for bugs.

How to make DIY bug repellent solid lotion with essential oils. Use this natural homemade lotion when you'll be going outside or camping outdoors. Homemade pest control that is safe for kids when you use kid safe oils. Get relief from mosquito and other bugs and natural skin care with these ingredients that are great for skin. Life hacks for repelling mosquitoes and bugs naturally for people. #bugrepellent #essentialoils #diy

I prefer to use essential oils for a natural bug repellent, so I added them to these solid lotion bars. I have other natural ways to repel mosquitoes, but I wanted something more portable.

These nongreasy solid lotion bars are easy to take with you, and they won't spill. I like to keep a tin in my purse so I always have them with me.

NATURAL BUG REPELLENT SOLID LOTION BARS

I wanted these natural bug repellent solid lotion bars to fit in a tin so I could take them with me. The last time we went to the drive in, we forgot to take bug repellent. But now I always have it with me.
You could also leave a tin in the car. These may get soft or even melt in high heat, but they will still work just fine.

MORE NATURAL BUG REPELLENT RECIPES

You can also find several recipes in the book Naturally Bug Free.

GRAPESEED OIL

I used grapeseed oil because it's a light oil, and it soaks into the skin fairly quickly. Since it's a dry oil, it won't leave you feeling greasy.

Grapeseed oil is high in vitamin E and omega-6 fatty acids. You won't be smearing this all over, but it will help moisturize your skin where you do use it.

BEESWAX

Beeswax is what turns this from a salve into a solid lotion. It's hard at room temperature, so it raises the melting point of this solid lotion.

Beeswax also forms a barrier on top of your skin. This helps hold the essential oils on your skin, and it protects your skin from the environment.

COCONUT OIL

I combined the coconut oil and shea butter together for this solid lotion to make it a little softer and easier to apply. You could use all shea butter, but I like my solid lotion a bit softer.

Coconut oil is moisturizing and can help the skin heal. It's also naturally antibacterial.

SHEA BUTTER

Shea butter is solid at room temperature, but it melts at body temperature. It's also moisturizing for your skin.

ARROWROOT POWDER

I added a pinch of arrowroot powder to cut down on the greasiness. It's completely optional, so feel free to omit it if you want.

It also makes this natural bug repellent solid lotion bar feel so smooth on your skin. I prefer using it in solid lotion bars.

ESSENTIAL OILS

I used the Crafty Bubbles Bug Repellent blend.

It's a blend of:

Lemon eucalyptus
Citronella
Lemongrass
Lavender
Cedar wood

If it's sold out on Amazon, I recommend Simply Earth's Bug Fighter. It's a kid safe blend, so go with this one if you're using this on kids between 2 and 10.

I also like Bug Blend from Mountain Rose Herbs. It's a blend of Virginia cedarwood essential oil, organic lemongrass essential oil, organic rosemary essential oil, organic geranium essential oil, organic spearmint essential oil, and organic thyme essential oil.

MICA

I added some mica to give them a little bit of color. It's completely optional. If you do want to color your natural bug repellent solid lotion bars, you'll have to use mica because they are oil based. A soap colorant or food coloring will not work.

MOLD

I used this adorable Wilton succulent mold. I like it because it's the perfect size for embeds, solid lotion, and for making fun DIY projects.

I also used this mold for my succulent soaps and in succulent sold sugar cube soaps.

I found this adorable succulent washi tape at Joann. I don't see the exact same pattern on their site or anywhere else, but you can also find succulent washi tape on Amazon or on Etsy.

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup grapeseed oil
1/2 cup beeswax
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup shea butter
1 teaspoon arrowroot powder
2 teaspoons Bug Repellent Essential Oil Blend
Mica (optional)

DIRECTIONS

STEP #1

Combine the grapeseed oil, beeswax, coconut oil, and shea butter in a 4-cup Pyrex measuring cup or glass bowl. Create a double boiler by setting it inside a pan of water.

I use Pyrex glass bowls because they are heat proof and fit into my pans perfectly. Just make sure that the bowl is lifted from the bottom so it's not on direct heat.

STEP #2

Heat over medium heat until melted. This will take about 20 minutes.

STEP #3

Carefully remove from heat and stir well. Sprinkle the arrowroot powder over the melted mixture and stir well to mix. Add mica now if desired.

STEP #4

Use a laser thermometer to check the temperature. When it's below 180 degrees, add the essential oils. Stir well.

STEP #5

Pour into a mold. Let sit undisturbed for several hours until fully hardened. You can use them immediately.

Once they are set up, you can unmold them right away. They should pop right out of the mold.

I put mine in a tin and used washi tape to decorate it.

To use, sweep over exposed skin and let soak into your skin. It should soak in within a minute or two or you used too much.

Reapply as needed. Essential oils do work to protect you from bugs, but it does need to be reapplied more often than bug sprays from the store.

diy, solid lotion, essential oils, bug repellent

Yield: 1.5 cups

Author: Cari @ Everything Pretty

Estimated cost: $5