Hydrophilic massage tiles.

A hydrophilic massage bar is a winter favourite, when cold air and central heating leave body skin dry. Unlike a regular oil bar, it turns into a soft milk as soon as it meets water. You can use it instead of shower gel or soap, and even to remove make-up: glide it over damp skin, in the shower if you like, then rinse. Skin feels clean, moisturised and soft.

For oily skin two or three uses a week are enough. Make the bars small, so each one is used up in a single session. They are even simpler to make than handmade soap.

What you need

The base is solid oils and butters, plus liquid plant oils chosen for your skin type, an emulsifying wax that lets the bar rinse off with water, and a scent. Polawax is the usual choice of emulsifying wax for these bars; you will find alternatives among our emulsifiers. The classic split is 20-25% emulsifying wax, 60-70% butters and 10-15% liquid oils, essential oils or fragrance.

Melt the wax together with the butters, stir in the liquid oils, then the essential oils or fragrance, and pour into moulds. Chill in the fridge until fully set.

Add-ins for a gentle scrub

For a light exfoliating effect, sprinkle a few poppy seeds, flax seeds or ground oats into the mould before pouring. Essential oils go into the cooling oil just before pouring. A square of chocolate, a teaspoon of sea buckthorn oil, a tablespoon of milk powder, a little clay or starch all make the bar richer. As you massage, these add-ins gently polish the skin and then rinse away in the shower.

Two sample recipes

Version one: 20% emulsifying wax, 43% butters, 5% beeswax, 30% rich nourishing oils and 2% fragrance or essential oils. Version two, without beeswax: 20% emulsifying wax, 10% nourishing oils, 30% shea butter, 30% cocoa butter and 10% of another butter such as coconut or palm kernel.

Bars without beeswax are softer, so keep them in the fridge. For a tropical twist, try our Hawaii hydrophilic bar.

FAQ

How is a hydrophilic bar different from an oil bar?

The emulsifying wax turns it into a milk in water, so it rinses off without leaving a greasy film.

Can I replace Polawax?

Yes, another emulsifying wax or an oil-in-water emulsifier will work, although the texture may change slightly.

How long do the bars keep?

Several months in a cool, dry place. Bars made without beeswax are best stored in the fridge.