It’s not about the size of the bottle, it’s about the motion of the lotion. Bigger isn’t always better—especially in the case of a carbon footprint.
Not only are solid lotion bars more eco-friendly, but they’re also more convenient and cost-effective.
You see, the global disposal of cosmetics and packaging containers account for up to 70% of the whole industry’s carbon emissions.
So, if you were to ask us, “Are lotion bars better than lotion?” we’d say, absolutely.
But we haven’t just curated any old bars here, these are made by brands who prioritize natural and organic ingredients, ethical sourcing, and sustainable packaging.
In the months ahead, we’ll be launching our Brand Rating System, which will assess brands against a variety of criteria, including their climate impact and chemical use. Here’s our explainer if you want to know more.
We independently research all featured brands and we ask them to confirm their claims. In many cases we personally review recommended products. This post contains affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you buy something. Learn more here.
The Best Lotion Bars That Butter Us Up
We can’t speak for all of them, but those by these sustainable skincare brands are pretty solid.
We’d root for EcoRoots’ best-selling lotion bar recipe any day. We loved using this product, it lasted us through an entire winter, and then some. And the simple plant-based ingredients were enough to hydrate our skin without clogging pores.
Butter Me Up Organics makes incredible beeswax lotion bars (using ethically sourced beeswax, of course). Housed in a push-up cardboard applicator, you can wave goodbye to greasy hands. We’ve tested it, and it works wonders for dry skin.
Index: Solid Moisturizer Bars
- EcoRoots Jump to brand
- Ethique Jump to brand
- Butter Me Up Organics Jump to brand
- ATTITUDE Jump to brand
- Linear Beauty Jump to brand
- Bee You Organics Jump to brand
- etee Jump to brand
EcoRoots
EcoRoots’ Lotion Bar
Price Range: $20
Like a smooth criminal, EcoRoots zero waste lotion bar has robbed us of all our cash.
With only six ingredients, the solid moisturizer bar works wonders for our chapped lips, dry hands, and rough elbows.
While non-comedogenic candelilla wax seals in moisture, shea butter regenerates the skin cells and cocoa butter reduces the appearance of skin imperfections.
The plant-based formula is available unscented or scented with coconut or lavender essential oils.
It’s been tried, tested, and granted the SJ supple skin seal of approval—for both the formula and the super handy tin that’s perfectly pocket-sized. Once it runs out, you can order a refill only and reuse the solid lotion bar container.
About EcoRoots
As our go-to zero waste online store, EcoRoots keeps us grounded.
The small-business stocks all of our favorite home and body essentials, from reusable dryer balls to floss to shampoo and everything in between.
Not only are all of their products plastic-free, but they are also vegan and cruelty-free, too, though some products contain sustainably sourced palm oil.
A portion of their annual sales are donated to organizations that give back to the planet, like the Ocean Conservancy.
My Personal Review of EcoRoot’s Lotion Bar:
“I love EcoRoots Lotion Bar. This is one of my favorite creams. It lasted ages, yes it’s on the pricer end but I think it’s worth it. I think I used it every day and night for an entire winter (and Joy used it a heap too). It is a bit on the greasy side, so I had to give it a decent rub to even out the oils and help with absorption but for cold weather it’s so good. I used it not just on my face but also elbows, knees, and hands. I also love the packaging, great for travel (TSA no issues) and the subtle natural scent of shea.”
Review by Lyall Mabin, SJ’s Co-founder
Ethique
Ethique’s Lotion Bar
Price Range: $10–$17
We don’t mean to rub it in, but Ethique has some of the best lotion bars on the market.
How do we know this? Because we’ve tried them all! And still use them after years of use.
Their gentle formulas are made with natural ingredients suitable for all skin types—even sensitive skin like ours, which we were thrilled to find out firsthand.
One of the primary ingredients, Babussa oil, is exceptionally great at preventing trans-epidermal water loss. It’s light, non-greasy, and predominantly wild-harvested by women.
Each body moisturizer bar—like the dreamy Coconut & Lemongrass scented one— is packed into a handy compostable tube for mess-free storage in your handbag.
Concentrated bars that turn into liquid zero waste lotion are also available.
About Ethique
The crowdfunded business is the highest-rated, fastest-selling zero waste shampoo & conditioner brand on Amazon, and for good reason.
Ethique is one of those bar brands with ethics (and a great deal of lotion commotion.)
Not only are their ingredients cruelty-free, plastic-free, palm-oil free, and vegan, but they are also fairly sourced via direct trading.
The best part?
Each Ethique solid lotion bar (or any of their products) is carbon-neutral and purchased will support ‘adopted’ animals from wildlife conservation projects around the world.
Butter Me Up Organics
Butter Me Up Organics’ Homemade Lotion Bars
Price Range: $16–$20
Butter Me Up Organic has cracked the code for our cracked skin.
Packed with beeswax, shea butter, and coconut oil, the ultra-hydrating formula in their Organic Lotion Bar quenches even the driest of dry skin. Even more, it is also beneficial for the treatment of stretch marks, insect bites, eczema, and skin allergies among other things.
The potent formula comes housed in a convenient cardboard container for mess-free application.
If you’re looking for something a little more fun, you can also buy mini organic bar stars. The cute stars make for a great eco-friendly gift.
About Butter Me Up Organics
The women-owned Etsy shop makes top-rated natural skincare products including natural sunscreen, bath bombs, and body butters.
All of which are organic, non-GMO, and zero-waste.
Every single item is hand packaged, labeled, and shipped from a small batch studio based in California.
Whenever possible, upcycled shipping material is used.
My Personal Review of Butter Me Up Organics’ Lotion Bar:
“This bar really is a lifesaver for dry skin. I’m talking “post-vacation spending a week soaking in mineral hot springs” dry—at least, that’s how I put it to the test. After just a few days, I noticed all the accumulated dryness from that trip was virtually gone, and my skin felt as soft and subtle as it did before.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
ATTITUDE
ATTITUDE’s Vegan Body Butter Bars
Price Range: $20
What is the difference between a lotion bar and body butter?
If you ask ATTITUDE, there isn’t one.
Their Leaves line of plastic-free body or hand lotion bars combine the thick, rich moisturizing power of body butters with the mess and waste-free convenience of a bar.
About ATTITUDE
From protecting it from harmful UVA/UVB rays with biodegradable sunscreen to healing it when you inevitably forget to reapply, ATTITUDE has your back (and legs and face) when your skin develops an attitude.
This Canadian brand protects animals through PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies program, and protects workers through ethical factory conditions and ingredient sourcing.
They’re steadily expanding their plastic-free range (to hopefully phase out their recyclable #2 plastic bottles, perhaps?) and plant a tree for every order through Eden Reforestation or One Tree Planted.
My Personal Review of ATTITUDE’s Leaves Bar Body Butter:
“I tried out ATTITUDE’s body butter bar that comes in a compostable cardboard stick. The neutral, earthy scent of the Sandalwood option makes it perfect for all genders and isn’t too overpowering. While I’m soaking up the magic of the smell, my skin is soaking up EWG VERIFIED™ ingredients like sunflower seed oil, jojoba esters, grape seed oil, shea butter, and cocoa butter. The real secret is in the Indian Cress and Watercress leaf extracts, which leave my skin supple thanks to the high vitamin and mineral content. Because it heals, not masks, I don’t need to use this every day, just in periods of dryness until my skin is softened.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Linear Beauty
Linear Beauty’s Beeswax Bar
Price Range: $18–$32
The path to soft skin can be a linear one with Linear Beauty’s all-in-one lotion bar for hands, feet, lips, elbows, knees, scars, and all else.
Scented like chocolate, simple ingredients like cocoa butter, sunflower oil, shea butter, and beeswax will leave you smelling sustainably sweet.
Given the nature of these ingredients, the moisturizer is naturally high in antioxidants and Vitamin E, A,& D which help increase blood flow and reduce wrinkles and age spots.
It can be purchased with a reusable aluminum tin or as a zero waste refill.
About Linear Beauty
Sensitive skin and Linear Beauty products go together like zero waste toothpaste and sustainable toothbrushes: it just makes sense.
The clean beauty brand was founded after the owner’s personal battles with skin sensitivities to conventional drugstore products.
All of their beauty and skincare products are made with a combination of high quality oils, butters, hydrosols, and CO2 extracts suitable for all skin types.
Bee You Organics
Bee You Organics’ Bar
Price Range: $11–$47
You can’t spell bee-you-tiful skin without Bee Your.
Bee You Organics’ top-rated organic body lotion bar is a favorite among men, women, and kids alike due to its abilities to soften skin.
Among its all natural ingredients you’ll find beeswax, unrefined shea butter, coconut oil, and sweet almond oil.
If you opt for a scented version, lavender or vanilla and sweet orange essential oils will be added to the mixture also.
The adorable bars come stamped with a bee in the center or in mini-heart shapes that make for perfect gifts.
About Bee You Organics
Would you bee surprised if we told you that this organic skin and makeup brand was started by an accident (literally.)
When owner Larissa was 16 she was left with scarred skin and half an eyelid after getting hit by a drunk driver.
For years, she struggled to find products to heal and hide her scars without inevitable inflammation and acne. As a result, she started researching and creating her own products.
Now, she shares her secrets in the form of natural eyeshadows, sunscreens, sugar scrubs, and other clean beauty products—all free water, alcohol, gluten, and plastic.
etee
etee’s Hand Lotion Bars
Price Range: $12–$15
etee’s hand lotion bar comes in handy for those rough patches in life (that is, the knees and elbows.)
Made from six powerful ingredients, the recipe is designed to moisturize without leaving greasy skin and clogged pores.
Refined kokum butter, ultra-refined cocoa butter, beeswax, organic sunflower oil, arrowroot powder, and tangerine essential oil do just the job.
Each one ounce bar lasts 2–3 months with proper storage.
About etee
If you embrace a minimalist lifestyle and are all about that one-stop shopping, etee won’t disappoint.
They’ve got everything you need in one completely plastic-free place, from laundry detergent to eco-friendly shampoo and conditioner.
By supporting etee, you are also supporting one of the various organizations they donate to including food banks and medical clinics.
My Personal Review of etee’s Tangerine Hand Lotion Bar:
“etee’s Tangerine Hand Lotion Bar was a lifesaver for me last winter when the cold, dry air reliably made my knuckles red and dry. Not since applying this stuff every night. Note, I do prefer to apply it at night because it feels a bit waxy at first until it absorbs, so it’s difficult to perform tasks right after applying.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
DIY Lotion Bar Recipe
So, how can you make lotion bars at home?
We’ve got the homemade recipe of your dreams.
It calls for equal parts shea butter, coconut oil, and beeswax (or Candelila wax if you’re vegan.)
Simply pop all these ingredients into a double boiler and melt them over low heat. Once melted, add in essential oils of your choice.
Pour the mixture into silicone molds and leave to cool until solid. If you want to avoid silicone, old mint tins make for great molds.
There you have it—a homemade solid body moisturizer to warm skin, and the heart!
Why Choose Zero Waste Lotion Bars?
Before we answer that question, let’s get a solid foundation on lotion bars.
What is a lotion bar and how do you use it?
Lotion bars are solid emollients that turn into a cream when activated. Though they look and feel like a bar of soap, they don’t require water to use. Instead, simply rubbing the bar gently against your skin is all that’s needed. That’s because they are designed to turn into a malleable paste when introduced to body heat. Just take a small amount of the bar and rub it in your hands for a few seconds.
Since lotion bars are concentrated, they have a much longer shelf life than conventional lotions.
A win for your sustainable wallet and the planet, considering that means saving 3 plastic lotion bottles from entering the landfills with each bar.
Not to mention they are an incredible eco-friendly travel product due to their size and convenience.
Why choose that pesky plastic-filled lotion when you can opt for a planet-loving lotion bar instead?