Homemade Sunscreen – It’s Natural and it Works!

Do you love the sun as much as I do, but don’t care for the chemicals in commercial sunscreen? Then you are going to LOVE this natural homemade sunscreen!

I tend to go without sunscreen for a little while to soak up some sun to let my body get the vitamin D that we lack most of the time here in NE Ohio, but when I know I’ll be spending most of the day out there I make sure to lather up in some of this homemade recipe! Even though this recipe smells great and is naturally moisturizing, I don’t recommend using it daily so you can get your dose of Vitamin D!

Many of the ingredients have a natural SPF but since this is a natural recipe and has not been tested by a regulatory organization, I cannot make any claims or even guesses as to the combined SPF. 

Homemade Sunscreen Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Almond Oil
• 1/4 cup Coconut Oil (natural SPF 4)
• 1/4 cup Beeswax
• 1 teaspoon Vitamin E Oil
• 2 tablespoons Shea Butter (Natural SPF 4-5)
• 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).
• Optional: 20 drops Lavender Essential Oil

Homemade Sunscreen Instructions

1. Combine ingredients except zinc oxide and essential oils in a pint sized or larger glass jar such as a mason jar.
2. Fill a medium saucepan with a couple inches of water and place over medium heat.
3. Put a lid on the jar loosely and place in the pan with water.
4. As the water heats, the ingredients in the jar will start to melt. Stir occasionally to incorporate. When all the ingredients are completely melted, add the zinc oxide and essential oil, stir in well and pour into whatever jar or container you will use for storage. Make sure to stir a few times as it cools to make sure the zinc oxide is fully incorporated.
5. Small mason jars are great for this, or, you can use a BPA free re-fillable tube such as GoToob – these are great travel bottles.
6. Use as you would regular sunscreen – best used within 6 months.

Additional Notes

• This sunscreen is not completely waterproof and will need to be reapplied after sweating or swimming
• Make sure not to inhale Zinc Oxide – use a mask if necessary!
• Add more beeswax to make a thicker sunscreen or less to make smooth sunscreen
• Store in a cool, dry place or in the fridge 
• Remove the Zinc Oxide for an excellent lotion recipe – add different essential oils as you please, but use caution if using citrus essential oils, this can cause photosensitivity

If this seems a bit much to make your own sunscreen, please be sure to visit www.ewg.org for a list of safe sunscreens without the toxic chemicals that can cause endocrine disruption which can actually result in skin cancer!