DIY All Natural Sunscreen Recipe

Use this DIY all-natural sunscreen recipe to protect your skin against UV rays without toxic ingredients. This sunscreen is simple to make and works great!

Summer is approaching, and with a few days hitting 80 degrees, it has me thinking about sun protection.  Making your own sunscreen isn’t hard, and it works great.  It even passed the “all day at the beach” test, and I have the sandy sunscreen to prove it. 😉 

Regular sunscreen you buy from the store has a few questionable ingredients you will want to avoid.  As usual, buying all-natural organic brands can be expensive, so making your own is the best option. Because this sunscreens active ingredient is zinc oxide, it is safe to use on babies under 6 months of age. 

I make a batch once a year around May, and it will last me for the summer. I love this sunscreen because it is made with all-natural ingredients that are very beneficial for your skin. 

It is important to note this sunscreen is not going to have the SPF protection levels of conventional sunscreen. Along with taking extra measures to protect our skin, this is what works best for our family. You must use your own judgment as to what is best for you.

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DIY ALL-NATURAL SUNSCREEN RECIPE

INGREDIENTS 

• 1/2 cup avocado oil (You can also use almond or olive oil.) 
• 1/4 cup cocoa butter 
• 1/4 cup beeswax 
• 1/4 cup coconut oil 
• 1/4 cup non-nano zinc oxide 
• 15 drops essential oil (optional) 
• Wide mouth mason jar for storage 

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Add the avocado oil, cocoa butter, beeswax, and coconut oil to a double boiler. If you don’t have a double boiler, you can make your own by placing a glass bowl over a pot of boiling water. 
2. Once all the ingredients are melted, remove from the heat.  
3. Allow the mixture to cool, whisking it periodically. 
4. Add in the zinc oxide and essential oils.
5. Whisk all the ingredients together. 
6. Pour into a storage container.

WHICH ESSENTIAL OILS CAN I PUT IN MY SUNSCREEN? 

You will want to avoid citrus essential oils because most of them are photosensitive and can make you burn worse. Most other oils are safe to use; here are my favorites: 

PEPPERMINT 

I love the cooling effect that peppermint has on the body, not to mention it smells amazing with the cocoa butter. Adding in peppermint can help soothe skin if you already have a sunburn, and it can help to cool the body on a really hot day.

LAVENDER 

Lavender has many benefits for the skin, and it is a very calming essential oil.  When you add lavender to the sunscreen, it can help soothe and repair skin imperfections.

FRANKINCENSE 

Frankincense is my go-to essential oil when it comes to skin issues.  Adding in frankincense will make this sunscreen great for anti-aging, blemishes, and rashes. 

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO STORE YOUR SUNSCREEN? 

It is best to store the sunscreen in a glass container, especially if you are using essential oils.  You will want to keep it in an airtight container.  I like to keep mine in a wide-mouth mason jar. Having a wide mouth makes it easier to get the sunscreen out, especially when it starts to run low. 

This sunscreen has a shelf life of one year.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH CONVENTIONAL SUNSCREEN? 

Sunscreen has become more and more popular over the years, and more and more people have a vitamin D deficiency.  Correlation?  I think so! 

Many sunscreens block the body from absorbing vitamin D, and on top of that, they are loaded with chemicals.  The lack of vitamin D can be more dangerous than the actual sunburn. 

Now I am not saying that it is good to go out in the sun with no protection for hours on end and get completely fried. That is horrible, and overexposure can be very damaging to the skin. However, lathering up in sunscreen every time you walk out the door isn’t the way to go either. 

HOW TO PROTECT SKIN FROM THE SUN

Vitamin D is vital for a healthy immune system and overall wellness.  The best source of vitamin D is the sun.  Did you know that 40% of adults have are deficient in vitamin D? 

Getting 20 minutes of sunshine a day without sunscreen can help you to keep your vitamin D levels up. Here are some pointers on getting the sun you need without getting burnt: 

• Spend time outside in the morning and evenings when the sun is out but not as bright. 
• Go outside in intervals.  Start with 10 minutes at a time. 
• Avoid being in direct sun during the hottest hours of the days or when the sun is directly overhead.  During the summer months, this is between 12-3 pm.  
• During these hours, try sitting in the shade. 
• Wear hats and SPF shirts when going out into the sun for prolonged times. 
• Apply homemade sunscreen to exposed skin if you plan to be outside for a long period of time. 
• Follow up with an after-sun lotion or spray

LET’S TALK ABOUT THE INGREDIENTS IN THE DIY SUNSCREEN 

Not only will this sunscreen smell absolutely delicious, but it is also amazing for your skin! I use this on my babies when they have diaper rash, and it clears it right up. You can also use this same recipe, omitting the non-nano zinc oxide as a lotion. 

These products are very nourishing and moisturizing for the skin.  With coconut oil, it adds antibacterial properties, making this great for skin infections too.  

• COCOA BUTTER- Cocoa butter is the fat that comes from cocoa beans, and it smells absolutely delicious, in my opinion.  It is naturally moisturizing for the skin and heals dry, chapped skin.
• NON-NANO ZINC OXIDE- Zinc oxide is the safest, most effective sunscreen you can use.  It is a mineral powder that gives you a broad spectrum of protection against UV rays.
• BEESWAX- This is what makes the sunscreen waterproof.  Beeswax forms a barrier on the skin, making water run right off. It is high in vitamin A and can support cell regeneration. 

Check out how I make this sunscreen into bars for easier application.

MORE DIY RECIPES TO CHECK OUT 

Diy Lip Balm 

5 Homemade Face Wash Recipes 

Homemade Lotion Bars 

Whipped Body Butter

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DIY All Natural Sunscreen

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Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup avocado oil
• 1/4 cup cocoa butter
• 1/4 cup beeswax
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1/4 cup non-nano zinc oxide
• 15 drops essential oils, optional

Instructions

1. Add the avocado oil, cocoa butter, beeswax, and coconut oil to a double boiler. If you don't have a double boiler you can make your own by placing a glass bowl over a pot of boiling water. 
2. Once all the ingredients are melted, remove from the heat. Allow the mixture to cool, whisking it periodically. 
3. Add in the zinc oxide and essential oils. Whisk all the ingredients together. 
4. Pour into an airtight storage container.