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Are you wanting to get into sugaring but are confused on how to avoid harsh ingredients like lemon? We’ve found plenty of alternatives on how to make sugar wax without lemon. 

Sugaring is a form of hair removal similar to waxing but using all natural ingredients with no plastic waste making it an environmentally friendly hair removal option. And did we mention it’s meant to be less painful than ordinary waxing?

How to Make Sugar Wax Without Lemon

Can you make sugar wax without lemon? Yes! There are fantastic alternatives that have the same acidic properties as lemon and will work just as well in a recipe.

Alternatives range from vinegar, apple cider vinegar and orange juice. You can even customize your sugar wax recipe without lemon and add essential oils.

Throughout this article we will share how to make sugar wax with vinegar, orange juice, and honey – as well as some not-so recommended methods, like apple cider vinegar.

How to make sugar wax without lemon

How to Make Homemade Wax for Hair Removal Without Lemon

Lemon can be a problematic ingredient for many when applying straight to the skin and can cause redness, irritation and burning.

Homemade sugar wax without lemon for hair removal is easier than you think and can even be made with a microwave in 30 seconds. Using a DIY sugaring recipe can be both cost effective and rewarding. But it can also possibly be a trial and error process.

Below are some videos to show examples of making with a microwave, and personal reviews of the sugaring process.

Sugar Wax Recipes – How do you make homemade sugar wax?

Sugar Wax with Vinegar

You can use vinegar in a sugar wax as vinegar is a great alternative to lemon due to its acidic properties. Below is an a quick recipe on how to make a sugar wax recipe with vinegar.

Ingredients:

  • 1 Cup Sugar
  • 1/2 Cup Vinegar

How to:

  1. Combine ingredients and stir on medium until the sugar dissolves
  2. When dissolved, cook on a high heat for 5 minutes
  3. Take a container of water and add a few drops of the mixture to it. If it holds its shape it’s ready.

Sugar Wax with Orange Juice

Out of all the alternatives orange juice is the least popular but still effective.

To make sugar wax with orange juice replace the lemon or vinegar amounts in the previous recipes with orange juice.

To start you will need:

  • 4 tsp sugar 
  • 2 tsp orange juice

How to:

1. Combine the ingredients together
2. Heat until the mixture bubbles and starts turning a darker brown
3. Allow to cool for 25 minutes
4. When cooled, apply to skin in the opposite direction of hair growth
5. Use a strip to pull in the direction of hair growth.

Sugar Wax with Honey

All the recipes we’ve shown so far can be made at home but there’s another alternative that may be kinder to those with sensitive skin.

Honey has antibacterial and soothing properties making it great for sensitive areas. Here’s one of our favorite recipes to show you how to make homemade wax with honey.

To start you will need:

  • 4 tsp sugar 
  • 2 tsp honey
  • 2 tsp water

How to:

  1. Combine the ingredients together
  2. Heat until the mixture bubbles and starts turning a darker brown
  3. Allow to cool for 30 minutes
  4. When cooled, apply to skin in the opposite direction of hair growth
  5. Use a strip to pull in the direction of hair growth.

How do you knead sugar wax?

It’s recommended that you knead your homemade sugar wax without lemon juice before you store to avoid the wax becoming as solid as a piece of hard candy. Those who have attempted sugaring may be asking “How do you knead sugar wax without ending up in a sticky mess?”. Allow for the sugar wax to cool. Once cooled pull apart the sugar wax between both your hands in a stretching motion. The key is to knead with wet hands, but add water sparingly as that is how you can end up in a sticky mess! Once the wax turns opaque it’s ready to use. 

This can be a tricky process and it will take the average person three or four times before they get it right! If you have little patience and need a quick fix we have a recipe that requires no kneading, a true time saver! This recipe is known to make a “soft ball” and uses water and lemon but can be applied with alternatives too. To follow quantities click on the youtube video below.

  • Step 1: Combine your ingredients and put your pan on a medium high heat.
  • Step 2: Once the mixture begins to bubble, insert the thermometer.
  • Step 3: Cook to 240°F/116°C
  • Step 4: Allow to set for seven days.

Sugar Wax with Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar in sugar wax is another popular alternative. Apple cider vinegar can be very damaging to the skin when applied neat or in strong doses in sensitive areas, leading to burns and irritation.

So even though you can make a sugar wax with apple cider vinegar, we don’t recommend it.

How do you Make the Perfect Sugar Wax?

Making a sugar wax without lemon juice for the first time can be frustrating as it can be hard to know how to make the perfect sugar wax. To make the perfect sugar wax it is best to stick to the recipe and make sure you heat your sugar up to temperature to allow it to thicken and turn into a solid, rather than a syrup.

If you don’t fancy experimenting further, here are some pre-made sugar wax with out lemon:

Does Sugar Wax Remove Hair?

Sugaring is as effective as waxing at a salon and may have extra benefits.

Hair removal from sugaring can last on average for three weeks. But, just like waxing, with continued use it can cause the hair to grow back thinner and softer, providing long term hair removal. Sugaring has added benefits of exfoliation with every use, resulting in smoother skin as well as hair removal.

Wondering how to use sugar wax? When applying the paste throw all the rules you learnt about waxing out the window and do the opposite! Apply the paste in the opposite direction the hair is growing. To remove the sugar and hair a technique of small but quick yanks are used in the direction the hair is growing. 

Is Sugar Wax Compostable?

Sugar wax is compostable as it is water soluble and biodegradable. If made or purchased with reusable strips sugar waxing is also eco-friendly.

To make your sugaring experience eco-friendly, here is a product recommendation for reusable and washable waxing strips:

sugar waxing the legs

Sugar Wax Recipes without Lemon: It’s Possible!

There are plenty of alternatives to use if you want to make sugar wax without lemon. It may take some experimenting and finding which one works for you but the savings made both budget-wise and pain-wise may be worth it!