DIY All Natural Sunscreen Recipe

This DIY natural sunscreen recipe is surprisingly easy to make, uses simple ingredients, and helps protect your skin while you enjoy the outdoors!

This post was originally published on May 8th, 2019.

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. 😉 

Did you know that the vast majority of sunscreens available use some form of chemical SPF ingredients? Unfortunately, very few contain mineral SPF, and the ones that do, often include other potentially harmful chemicals, totally defeating the purpose anyway.

When I decided to make my own sunscreen, I wanted it to be easy to make and effective. In addition, this sunscreen is also waterproof, making it an excellent option for the pool, or working outside and working up a sweat.

Best of all, one batch of this homemade natural sunscreen recipe should last an entire summer, even with regular use.

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DIY natural sunscreen recipe

Ingredients 

• 1/2 cup of avocado oil (3.3 oz). You can also use almond or olive oil
• 1/4 cup of cocoa butter (1 oz)
• 1/4 cup of beeswax pellets (1.2 oz)
• 1/4 cup of coconut oil (2 oz)
• 1/4 cup of non-nano zinc oxide (1.3 oz)
• 15 drops of essential oils (optional) 
• Wide mouth mason jar for storage 

How to make homemade sunscreen

While the SPF of this recipe cannot be guaranteed without lab testing, research suggests it may offer around SPF 20 protection.

If you plan on using this homemade sunscreen at the pool or beach, you can store it in a plastic container; just omit the essential oils from the recipe since, over time, essential oils can actually break down plastics.

Disclaimer: This is not intended to be a substitute for a commercial sunscreen with a known SPF rating. This sunscreen does not have the SPF level as typical sunscreens have and as a result, additional measures must be taken if you intend to be out in the sun for an extended period of time.

Is this homemade sunscreen waterproof? 

Yes, it is! Beeswax is the secret ingredient in this homemade waterproof sunscreen. The beeswax forms a barrier on the skin, allowing the water to run right off. Fun fact: beeswax is high in vitamin A and can support cell regeneration, as seen in this article published in the Wiley Library.

You can also learn more about the uses of beeswax here.

What makes this homemade sunscreen SPF?

The sun protection factor, or SPF, is the ranking factor on how much protection you are receiving while wearing that specific product.

The FDA recommends that zinc oxide in sunscreen should not make up more than 25% of the total ingredients.

Should you use nano or non-nano zinc oxide?

So, the one ingredient I want to touch on is zinc oxide. Zinc oxide is a mineral powder and is hands down one of the safest forms of sun protectant available. This mineral powder provides a broad spectrum of protection against both UVA and UVB rays.

When purchasing your zinc oxide, make sure you use non-nano zinc oxide. Nano zinc oxide particles are so tiny they can absorb through the skin and enter the bloodstream. Even though it’s only a small amount, I would much rather use non-nano to be safe.

Non-nano zinc oxide is also considered marine safe, while studies involving nano zinc oxide reveal its toxicities to marine life.

Optional oil blends 

Choose one of the oils from the list below to add to your natural sunscreen recipe for additional benefits. In addition, if you choose to concoct your own blend, avoid citrus essential oils since most of those oils are photosensitive and can make you burn worse.

PEPPERMINT 

I love the cooling effect that peppermint has on the body, not to mention it smells incredible with the cocoa butter.

Adding in peppermint can help soothe skin if you’re already sunburnt, and it can help cool the body on a really hot day.

Note: Essential oils should not get in or near the eyes.

LAVENDER 

Lavender has many benefits for the skin, and it is a very calming essential oil. In addition, 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. This oil is known for relieving skin discomfort as well as restoring skin to its original brilliance.

How to store sunscreen 

Store sunscreen in a glass, airtight container. If you’ll be using this sunscreen at the pool this summer, remember glass and water don’t mix. In this case, keep it in a plastic container and do not use any essential oils in the recipe.

I usually store this sunscreen in a glass jar, then make homemade sunscreen bars for when we are at the pool.

This sunscreen will last for one year. If water gets into this sunscreen, it will drastically reduce its shelf life.

Why stay away from conventional sunscreens 

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. 

A report from the ewg found numerous ingredients at unsafe levels of concentration in sunscreen. Studies were also done and found some ingredients absorbed into and remained in the body for weeks even after just one use.

Clearly, it’s not a good idea 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.

It’s essential to use a sunscreen that is safe and does not contain any ingredients that are harmful to the body.

Tips on protecting the skin from the sun

• Spend time outside in the morning and evening when the UV rays are not as strong.
• Go outside in intervals. Start with 10 minutes at a time. 
• Avoid being in direct sun during the hottest hours of the day 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 an extended period of time. 
• Follow up with a homemade after-sun lotion or a DIY after sun spray.
• Don’t forget your hair! Sun exposure can be just as harsh on your strands as it is on your skin. I like to use a DIY hair heat protectant to help keep my hair from drying out or getting brittle when I’m spending a lot of time outside.

I hope you give this recipe a try! Just remember, it’s not going to have the level of SPF protection as the conventional sunscreens.

So definitely do your own research, and check out the article above so that you can make an informed decision if homemade sunscreen is right for you.

Don’t forget to leave a comment below if you have tried this sunscreen recipe, and let me know what you think. And if you’re looking for more great skincare DIYs, try out some of these recipes below.

• Diy Lip Balm 
• Homemade Tanning Oil
• Homemade Lotion Bars 
• Homemade Whipped Body Butter
• How to use coconut oil for tanning