DIY Vegan Margarita Lotion Bars

How do you Make a Solid Lotion Bar without Beeswax?

While many lotion bar recipes DO contain beeswax or a vegan wax alternative, it IS possible to make an excellent lotion bar without any wax. The secret is in picking the suitable ingredient as a base.

These lotion bars are cocoa butter-based, one of the harder botanical butters. It makes for a slightly softer solid lotion bar than a beeswax-based lotion bar, but still wonderfully nourishing and easy to use.

These are heavy on cocoa butter, so I suggest trying a little of the raw cocoa butter on your skin before making these lotion bars to make sure you like the feel of the ingredient. I think it feels luxurious and nourishing, but make sure it’s right for you!

7 Reasons to Love Lotion Bars

If you’re new to the idea of a lotion bar or maybe have never tried one because it’s tough to find a vegan recipe, look no further. There are lots of reasons to love these little bars of DIY goodness.

1. They provide super concentrated nourishment to the skin – just oils and butters, no water included!
2. Lotion bars are a zero-waste alternative to lotion.
3. They need NO preservatives to stay fresh – they’ll keep for six months or more.
4. They are easy to travel with: small, compact, and fit nicely in a carry-on bag.
5. Lotion bars can easily be customized to your favorite essential oils or make them unscented.
6. You can form them in many different shapes ( flowers or butterflies, anyone?)
7. They make great gifts (pop them in a metal tin like this, and your recipient will go gaga)

Supplies for Vegan Lotion Bars

These lotion bars are easy to make with only three main ingredients as the lotion bar base. You’ll melt your ingredients together and pour them into a mold. Before we get started, here’s what you’ll need:

Cocoa Butter – This is the main ingredient in this vegan lotion bar recipe, so make sure you get high-quality! I typically prefer unrefined cocoa butter like this one, but if you don’t want these to smell like chocolate, I’d opt for refined cocoa butter this time. Cocoa butter is the ingredient responsible for the hardness of the lotion bar, so make sure not to substitute this one.

Shea Butter – A staple in many homemade lotion recipes, shea butter, is rich and nourishing for dry skin. I typically use unrefined, which has a slightly earthy smell. You may substitute mango butter for the shea in this recipe if you prefer.

Almond Oil – one of my favorite oils for homemade lotion bars; almond oil is nourishing, gentle, and great for the skin. You’ll only need ½ teaspoon for this recipe. You can substitute avocado oil, sunflower oil, or coconut oil with good results.

Essential Oils – We’ll use key lime essential oil and sweet orange essential oil for this recipe. Combining these two sweet, citrusy oils creates the perfect margarita scent. You’re going to love it!

Silicone Lotion Bar Mold – like this one, or of a similar size

Kitchen Scale – this recipe is measured by weight, so you’ll need a kitchen scale to measure everything. Nothing fancy is required here – just a basic kitchen scale like this one.

Double Boiler set-up – I prefer to melt my ingredients on the stove over low heat, but you may also use a microwave. Just make sure to oversee it and remove it right when melted, so your mixture doesn’t overheat!.

More Lotion Bar Recipes

How to Make Hot Chocolate Lotion Bars

Basic Lotion Bar Recipe, five ways

Calendula Infused Body Butter Sticks