I probably don’t need to tell anyone that for most of us, it’s cold outside.

In fact, it’s freakin’ freezing.

As I mentioned in a previous post, the cold winter air can do a number on the skin. While I still believe that most of us only need three ingredients for great winter skin, these arctic-like conditions have caused me to add to a fourth ingredient to my skin care arsenal: cocoa butter.

Cocoa butter, that pale, yellowish fat extracted from the cocoa bean (that same bean used to make chocolate) is one of the few naturally occurring butters in nature. Solid at room temperature, it melts on contact with the skin and the unrefined kind smells like chocolate.

Best of all, cocoa butter requires no preservatives and an eight oz chunk of it can last for months.

I’ve found one of the best ways to use it is to combine it with those other three essential skincare ingredients I cite-beeswax, shea butter, and jojoba oil-and make a lotion bar.

While several companies sell lotion bars, it’s far cheaper (and a lot more fun) to make your own.  Also, the recipe that follows contains no preservatives, colorings or other artificial additives.

Lotion bar
(makes 1 full-size bar)

1/4 cup of cocoa butter (Note: I used unrefined cocoa butter for my lotion bars. I happen to enjoy the chocolate scent—however, if you aren’t a fan, purchase the unscented kind.)

1/4 cup of shea butter

1/4 cup of beeswax

2 teaspoons of jojoba oil

5-10 drops essential oil of your choice (optional)

Combine all the ingredients in a small saucepan and heat over medium high heat on the stove until all the ingredients have liquified. Mix carefully with a spoon. Remove from heat once the mixture is simmering.

Add essential oil if using it. Stir.

Carefully pour the mixture into a muffin tin or a mold.

Wait until the bar is completely cool, then remove from the mold. Wrap in wax paper or place in a metal tin. Viola!

You are the prouder owner of a lotion bar.

Rub onto the skin as needed. The heat of the skin will cause the bar to melt on contact leaving a light layer of lotion on the skin.

All done! Your skin is now ready to brave even the coldest temperatures.

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 Editor: Bryonie Wise