3 Natural Homemade Sunscreen recipes

Natural Homemade Sunscreen ~Frisky

1/2 cup almond or olive oil (can infuse with herbs first if desired)

1/4 cup coconut oil (natural SPF 4)

1/4 cup beeswax

2 Tablespoons Zinc Oxide (This is a non-nano version that won’t be absorbed into the skin. Be careful not to inhale the powder). This makes a natural SPF of 20+ or more can be added.)

Optional: 1 teaspoon Vitamin E oil

Optional: 2 tablespoons Shea Butter (natural SPF 4-5)

Optional: Essential Oils, Vanilla Extract or other natural extracts to suit your preference (but no citrus)

How to Make--

Combine ingredients except zinc oxide in a pint sized or larger glass jar. I have a mason jar that I keep just for making lotions and lotion bars, or you can even reuse a glass jar from pickles, olives or other foods.

Fill a medium saucepan with a couple inches of water and place over medium heat.

Put a lid on the jar loosely and place in the pan with the water.

As the water heats, the ingredients in the jar will start to melt. Shake or stir occasionally to incorporate. When all ingredients are completely melted, add the zinc oxide, stir in well and pour into whatever jar or tin you will use for storage. Small mason jars (pint size) are great for this. It will not pump well in a lotion pump!

Stir a few times as it cools to make sure zinc oxide is incorporated.

Use as you would regular sunscreen. Best if used within six months.

Tips---

This sunscreen is somewhat but not completely waterproof and will need to be reapplied after sweating or swimming

Make sure not to inhale the Zinc Oxide- use a mask if necessary!

This recipe has an SPF of about 20, though adding more Zinc Oxide will increase the SPF

Add more beeswax to make thicker sunscreen, less to make smooth sunscreen

I recommend coconut or vanilla extract or lavender essential oils for fragrance

Store in a cool, dry place or in the fridge

I prefer to store in a small canning jar and apply like a body butter. It will be thicker, especially if you use coconut oil in the recipe.

remove the Zinc Oxide and this makes an excellent lotion recipe!

Note to help you Adjust the SPF 

Raspberry Seed Oil. The highest of all natural ingredients, contains an estimated SPF of 30-50.

Shea Butter. An excellent skin protectant with an SPF of approximately 6-10.

Carrot Seed Oil. Carrot seed oil is an essential oil and has been estimated to contain SPF levels of 30.

Wheat Germ Oil. While super nourishing for the skin, it too possesses a natural SPF of 20.

Sesame oil, Coconut Oil, Hemp oil, Avocado oil, Soybean, and Peanut Oil. All contain SPF levels between 4-10.

Homemade Sunscreen WITHOUT coconut Oil  ~Frisky

Ingredients that Naturally Protect Us from the Sun

There are natural ingredients, some may be found in our kitchens, that work to protect us from over exposure to the sun. Many are oils that contain SPF properties such as:

Raspberry Seed Oil. The highest of all natural ingredients, contains an estimated SPF of 30-50.

Shea Butter. An excellent skin protectant with an SPF of approximately 6-10.

Carrot Seed Oil. Carrot seed oil is an essential oil and has been estimated to contain SPF levels of 30.

Wheat Germ Oil. While super nourishing for the skin, it too possesses a natural SPF of 20.

Sesame oil, Coconut Oil, Hemp oil, Avocado oil, Soybean, and Peanut Oil. All contain SPF levels between 4-10.

The Recipe

Ingredients

Customize this recipe based on your budget and what you have available.

-1 ounce oil blend (use any combination of the oils listed above)

-1 ounce beeswax (adds waterproof properties)

-1 ounce butter blend (i.e. Shea butter, mango butter, or cocoa butter)

-1 teaspoon vitamin E oil

-0.36 ounces zinc oxide powder

-30 drops essential oils, optional

Method

1. Gather ingredients and kitchen tools. Note: Many of the oils listed above can be found in the grocery store or health food store. I love the quality and cosmetic properties of the oils, essential oils, and butters available from Mountain Rose Herbs. They are my source for these things. Find beeswax here or search for a local source by clicking here.

2. In a double boiler, over low heat, melt the oils, beeswax, and butters.

3. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly prior to adding the vitamin E oil, zinc oxide powder, and essential oils. Note: Wear a mask when working with zinc oxide. Although it has not been proven harmful when used topically, inhaling the substance can be dangerous.

4. Stir until zinc oxide is dissolved.

5. Pour into a push-up or roll-up dispenser. This recipe will produce a product similar to a lotion bar or sunscreen stick. You could easily clean out and re-purpose a used deodorant or lip balm container. But, if you want to buy a new one…I love these containers.

6. Allow to cool and harden on the counter overnight and then you’re good to go! During times of heavy sun and swim exposure be sure to reapply often for the best coverage.

Homemade Sunscreen Bars ~Frisky

Ingredients that Naturally Protect Us from the Sun

There are natural ingredients, some may be found in our kitchens, that work to protect us from over exposure to the sun. Many are oils that contain SPF properties such as:

Raspberry Seed Oil. The highest of all natural ingredients, contains an estimated SPF of 30-50.

Shea Butter. An excellent skin protectant with an SPF of approximately 6-10.

Carrot Seed Oil. Carrot seed oil is an essential oil and has been estimated to contain SPF levels of 30.

Wheat Germ Oil. While super nourishing for the skin, it too possesses a natural SPF of 20.

Sesame oil, Coconut Oil, Hemp oil, Avocado oil, Soybean, and Peanut Oil. All contain SPF levels between 4-10.

1 cup coconut oil 

1 cup shea butter, cocoa butter or mango butter (or a mix of all three equal to 1 cup)

1 cup beeswax (can add an extra ounce or two if you want a thicker consistency, which leaves less lotion on the skin when used)

2 tablespoons (or more) of Zinc Oxide (available online or in many stores on the diaper aisle, just make sure it is pure zinc oxide)

optional: Vitamin E oil to preserve. I added 1 tsp vitamin E oil for this recipe made with 1 cup of each ingredient)

optional: a few drops of vanilla or essential oil for scent (do not use citrus oils!)

How to Make---

Combine all ingredients (except zinc oxide and essential oils if using) in a double boiler, or a glass bowl over a smaller saucepan with 1 inch of water in it.

Turn the burner on and bring water to a boil. Stir ingredients constantly until they are melted and smooth:

Remove from heat and add the zinc oxide powder and essential oils.

Gently stir by hand until essential oils are incorporated.

Carefully pour into molds or whatever you will be allowing the lotion bars to harden in. I used these silicon baking cups, though any mold would work. This recipe exactly filled 12 silicon baking cups when I made it.

Allow the lotion bars to cool completely before attempting to pop out of molds. These could be made in different shaped molds for different holiday gifts (hearts for valentines, flowers for Mother’s day, etc) or made in a square baking pan and then cut into actual bars.