DIY Natural Homemade Sunscreen Recipe

I know it’s not a popular opinion, but sunscreen isn’t very healthy. Making your own homemade sunscreen is a much better option when it comes to your health.

There are many chemicals in sunscreen that are pretty bad for you! I could list the individual ingredients and their toxic side effects, but I honestly encourage you to look at your current sunscreen.

Look up the individual ingredients and what they are and the side effects of those individual ingredients. You may be shocked at what you find!

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Now our skin is the largest organ and when you place something on your skin it gets absorbs into your body and into your blood stream.

Obviously getting sunburned isn’t ideal either so I want to give you some other options to protect your skin from being damaged.

Not only will I tell you how to make your own safe sunscreen, but I will also share some other ideas to help protect your skin, I’ll mention that farther down below!

What Type Of Zinc To Buy?

When making sunscreen you are going to want to buy a non-nano zinc oxide powder.

There are a few reasons why you want the non-nano zinc oxide. It’s a larger particle which means it doesn’t really absorb into the skin giving your skin more sun protection as it sits on the skin.

Because it doesn’t absorb very well into the skin there are less chances of having any sort of skin reactions.

It is also waterproof so doesn’t come off very easily, which also benefits the ocean more. Non nano zinc has been found not to be harmful to ocean life.

You can buy this pretty easily online. If you want to check one out here is an option for you!

SPF Factor In Sunscreen

SPF means sun protection factor. The main component in sunscreen that offers this is zinc oxide.

When looking at sunscreens they normally recommend getting a sunscreen that has at least 30 SPF.

Now homemade sunscreen is pretty hard to test what the SPF is.

This recipe uses nano zinc oxide as its main sun protection. This recipe uses about 23% zinc oxide so it would be considered to have an SPF of about 23.

Now this recipe also has a blend of other oils, fats and wax as a protective, nourishing base. These on their own also have their own SPF.

1. Tallow has a SPF of about 4.
2. Beeswax is supposed to have a decent SPF but it’s hard to find. It helps to make your sunscreen more water resistant, solid at room temperature and has other beneficial properties for the skin as well!
3. Coconut oil is an out the 7, if you have raspberry seed oil you can swap it out for the coconut oil which has a higher SPF of about 30!
4. Almond oil has a SPF of about 5. I did infuse my oil with calendula flowers for added skin benefits.

I also use a few essential oils that are soothing, nourishing and healing for the skin.

Supplies Needed For Homemade Sunscreen

Equipment

1. Double boiler: I use a pot and I place my Pyrex glass measuring cup inside that pot to melt my ingredients together.
2. Whisk or fork to mix your ingredients
3. Clean Jars with lids: This is a pack of 12 amber glass jars, very affordable with inner liners. You need jars to pour your homemade sunscreen into, but can use them in many other ways as well.
4. Silicone spatula: Not essential but it’s so useful for scraping every last bit of homemade sunscreen out of your bowls. I use my silicone spatula every day as it’s great scraping out any sort of food you mix in the bowl, so you don’t waste anything!

Ingredients

1. Non-Nano zinc oxide: This is an essential part to the sunscreen and what gives you most of protection from the sun. This one I linked above is affordable, organic and is uncoated as well with great reviews!
2. Beeswax: These beeswax pellets are affordable and natural. Beeswax helps to keep your sunscreen more solid at room temperature and also makes it more water resistant.
3. Coconut oil: or if you have raspberry seed oil it has a higher level of SPF. Any oil should do but these ones are high in antioxidants.
4. Almond oil: Now I did infuse mine with calendula so if you can get hold of calendula oil that has extra nourishing and healing properties on the skin.
5. Tallow: You can use lard as well whatever is easier for you to get. These fats are a more solid fat and very nourishing and healing for your skin.
6. Essential oils of your choice: I like lavender and peppermint as it’s cooling and also healing for the skin. You can use whatever essential oil you like except for citrus oil. Citrus oils make the skin more sensitive to the sun, so you can actually burn worse!

How To Make Homemade Suncreen

Once you have all the ingredients, making your own sunscreen at home is really very easy!

1. Add all your ingredients into a larger glass jar, Pyrex measuring cup or bowl except the essential oils.
2. Fill about halfway a pot with hot water on the stove.
3. Place your glass jar with all the ingredients in it into the pot and stir occasionally as the ingredients melt.
4. Stir well so the zinc oxide gets incorporated well.
5. Once everything is mixed well add your essential oils of choice and give it another good mix.
6. Then pour your sunscreen into your clean glass jars and store away from direct sunlight.
7. It stores well in the cupboard, or you can place it in the fridge if you want to. Mine has lasted over a year in a cupboard with no issues.

Essential Oil Options

1. Lavender: has healing properties for the skin
2. Peppermint: Cooling on the skin
3. Frankincense: High in antioxidants and has many healing properties for the skin.
4. Sandalwood: Helps to boost skin health and reduce inflammation on the skin.

Do not use citrus oils as they can make your skin more sensitive to light and actually make your skin burn more.

How To Store Sunscreen

You can store sunscreen in a cool cupboard or in the fridge. A bathroom cabinet will work just fine, just don’t store in direct sunlight.

Is This Sunscreen Waterproof?

Yes, this sunscreen is pretty water resistant. Due to the non-nano zinc oxide being a larger particle as well as the beeswax it has pretty good water resistance properties. You made need to reapply depending how long you are swimming and being exposed in the sun.

Is Homemade Sunscreen Effective?

Homemade sunscreen isn’t necessary as effective as your store bought 50 SPF but it is a lot whole lot better for you. Homemade sunscreen can still work pretty well.

There are other ways on top of using a sunscreen to best protect your skin and its health which I will mention down below.

Other Alternatives To Protect Your Skin

Wear Appropriate Clothing

If you are going to be out for a while in the heat of the sun, think about wearing some protective clothing. Wear hats, long sleeve shirts and comfortable breathable pants.

There are SPF clothing that you can buy while swimming as well that have long sleeves for the extra sun protection too.

I don’t recommend wearing sunglasses. If you do a bit of research you will see that your eyes have certain receptors which tell the body how much melanin to produce.

This helps to protect your skin from sunburning. When you put sunglasses on your brain doesn’t know the sun is bright and hot and that it needs to protect your skin.

Use A Natural Sunscreen When You Need It

If you know you are going to be out for several hours in the heat of the sun put on a natural sunscreen for the added protection. If I put sunscreen on I make sure to apply on the face, shoulder and neck which tend to burn easier.

Utilise Shade And Time Of Day

If you are going to be out long utilise shady areas. While you are still getting sun’s rays it’s filtered light.

Also going out earlier or later in the afternoon when the sun isn’t at its peak can help reduce risk of burning as well. So plan your outings for earlier in the morning or late in the afternoon when the sun is on its way down if possible.

Improve Your Skin Health

Im sure you have heard you are what you eat right? Consuming certain foods can really help your overall skin health.

Foods high in antioxidants, nutrients and good fats all help your skin.

Consuming foods like berries, salmon, dark green leafy greens and nuts can all help your skin. Make sure to soak your nuts first so they are easier to digest!

Conclusion

There are many different ways to help protect your skin. Using a natural homemade sunscreen, eating good nourishing food, wearing protective clothing and utilising shade can all help reduce risk of sunburn while still allowing you to enjoy the outdoors.

I hope you found this post helpful and enjoy making your own homemade sunscreen!