These DIY sunscreen lotion bars are simple to make and made with all-natural ingredients. Having a solid sunscreen bar makes applying sunscreen so much easier, especially for the face.
Making your own sunscreen may sound overwhelming and hard, but I promise you it is not! I have been making my own sunscreen for years and love it. To make the whole process easier, I make a large enough batch to last all summer.
When you have kids, it can feel like a full-time job just applying sunscreen to their little faces, necks, arms, etc. If your kids are anything like mine, they absolutely hate when I put sunscreen on their faces.
These sunscreen lotion bars are the perfect solution! They are easy to apply and using a bar is hands down the best way to apply sunscreen around the eyes and on the face.
COCONUT OIL SUNSCREEN RECIPE
To make your own sunscreen lotion bar, you will need coconut oil, cocoa butter, beeswax, and non-nano zinc oxide. These ingredients will make an SPF lotion bar that will leave your skin moisturized and protected from the sun.
This recipe uses equal parts of coconut oil, cocoa butter, and beeswax, making it easy to adjust the amount that you need to make. I suggest making enough for the season as the bars will last for one year.
You will also need non-nano zinc oxide; this is the part that will make it SPF. To make a sunscreen lotion bar, you will also need some type of mold.
I use silicone molds. They are the best for almost any type of bar because they simply pop out when hardened.
HOMEMADE SUNBLOCK INGREDIENTS
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COCONUT OIL
Coconut oil alone can be used to protect your skin from the sun as it has a natural SPF of 5. It also contains antioxidants that can help protect your skin from UV rays.
While it does have an SPF of 5, coconut oil alone isn’t going to be the best solution for sun protection. However, adding coconut oil to your sunscreen will be a good idea!
Not only does it have a natural SPF, but it also has amazing benefits for your skin.
Coconut oil is very moisturizing, can cleanse the skin, has antibacterial properties, and can improve skin tone. If you are allergic to coconut oil, you can make these sunscreen bars without it.
COCOA BUTTER
Cocoa butter has a beautiful aroma and will give the sunscreen a smooth texture. Similar to coconut oil, cocoa butter has great benefits for your skin.
It can restore dry, chapped skin and provides a protective layer on the skin.
Cocoa butter is very moisturizing and can help reduce signs of aging. When used on the skin, cocoa butter can smooth and tighten the skin as well as reduce skin blemishes and scars.
In this recipe, you can substitute mango butter or shea butter for the cocoa butter using equal parts.
BEESWAX
The beeswax plays two important roles in this recipe. It is the ingredient that will make the sunscreen a solid bar, and it will make the sunscreen waterproof.
Beeswax forms a protective barrier on the skin, allowing the water to run right off. It also has many great benefits for the skin.
Beeswax is essential in fighting against chapped or dry skin with its antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties.
NON-NANO ZINC OXIDE
The non-nano zinc oxide is the ingredient that makes the sunscreen SPF. The more non-nano zinc oxide added, the higher the SPF will be.
Non-nano zinc oxide can be anywhere from 2-20 SPF, depending on the amount you use. This will be something you will want to experiment with in order to get the desired SPF.
HOW TO MAKE A SUNSCREEN BAR
- Measure out the coconut oil, cocoa butter, and beeswax and add them to a double boiler. Using a double boiler will keep the ingredients from burning and sticking to the pan.
- Set the double boiler on the stove over low to medium-low heat. Allow the ingredients to melt fully, then remove from heat.
- Add in the non-nano zinc oxide and stir to combine it into the melted ingredients.
- Store in an airtight container for up to one year. I keep mine in a glass mason jar.
HOW OFTEN SUNSCREEN SHOULD BE APPLIED
This is not a one size fits all type of answer. Everyone has different skin tones and it depends on the time of day. Noon sun is much hotter and brighter than evening sun. It also depends on the amount of zinc you add to the recipe.
If you are swimming or doing intense workouts causing sweat, it may need to be applied more often.
IS HOMEMADE SUNSCREEN DANGEROUS?
I know I will be getting some wrath from posting this, so I am going to address it now. When it comes to homemade anything, it will not be the exact same as store-bought. The main reason why I make my own skincare is to avoid putting toxins and chemicals onto my skin.
When you take those toxins and synthetics out, you may notice that the soap isn’t as sudsy or the toothpaste isn’t as foamy. Things may seem greasy or thicker. This is OK and, most of the time, completely normal.
When it comes to homemade sunscreen, it is next to impossible to know the exact SPF as it has not been tested. However, it is also made from all-natural ingredients that will nourish your skin instead of filling your body with toxins.
Making your own sunscreen is something you will need to do your own research on and make your own informed decision as to what is best for your exact situation.
ESSENTIAL OILS SUNSCREEN
You do have the option of adding essential oils to your homemade sunscreen if you want. Several essential oils can benefit the skin, and they will add a lovely scent.
Be sure to stay away from citrus essential oils as they can be photosensitive. Some of my favorite essential oils to add are lavender and peppermint.
Lavender is very gentle and safe for sensitive skin. Peppermint has a cooling effect and can soothe sun-kissed skin.
If adding essential oils to this recipe, you can add them while adding in the non-nano zinc oxide. You will want to use about 5 drops of essential oil per 1 cup of sunscreen.
After a long day out in the sun, be sure to follow up with a soothing after-sun lotion or spray.
Sunscreen Lotion Bar Recipe
These DIY sunscreen lotion bars are simple to make and made with all-natural ingredients. Having a solid sunscreen bar makes applying sunscreen so much easier, especially for the face.
Materials
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 1/2 cup cocoa butter
- 1/2 cup beeswax
- 4 tablespoons non-nano zinc oxide
- 8 drops essential oils, optional
Tools
- Double boiler
- Silicone molds
Instructions
- Measure out the coconut oil, cocoa butter, and beeswax and add to a double boiler.
- Place the double boiler over low to medium-low heat. Allow the ingredients to melt fully and remove from heat.
- Add in the non-nano zinc oxide and mix well.
- Store in an airtight container for up to one year. I keep mine in a glass mason jar.
Notes
These bars have an SPF rating of around 20.
Magdalena says
Hi! How do you know if the recipe you make is protecting your kids enough? I mean, without any tests on SPF level? I use SPF 50+ on my toddler (mineral sunscreens with natural ingredients) and would not risk unknown protection level.
Laura says
We don’t use much sunscreen as it is and prefer to cover up with clothes or shade. When going to the beach or swimming for the day I apply the homemade sunscreen often. I just watch their skin and apply when needed.
Rebecca Hunt says
I made some and we went on vacation to Vegas for a week, with a pool. We swam every single day for lots of hours with zero sunburns. It totally works!
Laura says
YAY! I am so glad!
Karisa Totah says
I found an article that had the conversion info on calculating SPF approximately. For this recipe, the non nano zinc oxide is 1/7th of the total meaning it’s a little over 14%. Multiply that times the 1.6 conversion rate per percent, so it’s just under SPF 30, but that doesn’t include the coconut oil’s SPF, which you could estimate is about 5 SPF, so 35 total. No guarantees, but if my math is right and the site I’m pulling from is accurate, that’s roughly the SPF of this recipe. Hope this helps anyone wondering.
Karisa Totah says
EDIT: And of course despite a half hour of figuring this out my math was off. 14% multiplied by 1.6 is just under 23 SPF, plus 5 or so for the coconut oil and you have roughly 28 SPF. The liquid sunscreen recipe calculated this way is just over 31 SPF.
Andreea says
Hi, I would like to do this one as a cream. Is it enough to remove the beeswax from the recipe?
For the waterproof effect, can I replace with something else?
I can’t find the right proportions when using beeswax and I decided to go without it. I really don’t like how hard the bars gets or it just don’t get hard enough (I tried the lotions bars and the lip balm)
Thanks
Laura says
I have a sunscreen recipe on my blog that is not a bar that you can make.
Jazmin says
Is the powder meant to dissolve or just be combined?
Laura says
Just stir into the other ingredients.
Diane says
Could this be used in a deodorant type applicator instead of a bar mold?
Laura says
Yes!
Terri Mendenhall says
I made this but I the zinc didn’t stay incorporated. I stirred while I poured. Is there something I should have done differently?great idea.🤩
Laura says
You can try remelting it and whisking it in.
Anna says
Hi Laura! I love these sunscreen bars, they work amazing both for my son and myself!
If you want higher SPF you can just add more zinkoxid right?
And do you have any video or tips on how to whiten teeth naturally? I would love to try that!
Greetings from Sweden
Laura says
I am so glad you love the sunscreen! Yes, you can add more non-nano zinc to adjust the SPF. I have a toothpaste recipe that can help whiten teeth and a post called “Essential Oils for Dental Needs” with a recipe too!
Marisol says
Hi I have a question. Can white beeswax be used with your recipes?
Laura says
Yes. I have a whole post about beeswax and the benefits of each: https://www.ouroilyhouse.com/beeswax-benefits-and-uses/
Lily says
Hi, I’ve tried making the bars but although I whisked in the zink oxide really well, it’s all separated from the oils/butters as it’s hardened. Do you have any tips to make it combine properly?
Thanks! 🙂
Heidi says
How do you use the bar? How do you apply it? Thinking that it looks like a soap bar, do you apply it dry to dry skin? Or add water like it is a soap bar? I am looking forward to trying this recipe. Thank you.
Laura says
I just rub it on the skin and it melts slightly so you can rub it in.
Kathleen-patricia says
Sounds really beautiful Laura! I love the fact that it has skin nourishing natural ingredients in the recipe 😘
I also love using products made with natural ingredients and making your own SPF sunscreen is perfect… There are too many toxic chemicals in store bought ones and most of them are disguised by the names used on the labels!
Thank you so much for sharing all your fabulous and beautiful recipes, they are appreciated and used with gratitude❣️🙏💝
Gia says
Hi,
I’m looking for a sunscreen diy but I have just read an article about a study that proves that zinc oxide becomes toxic on skin after 2 hours in the sun! What now? Any ideas?
Thanks for all your recipes! I really appreciate all you do. 👍
Laura says
Non-nano zinc oxide is safe for the skin.
Jessie says
HiLaura,
I just made this and the zinc oxide seemed to pool at the bottom. Does this happen to you? Or should have I maybe mixed longer?
Thanks!
Also have tried many many of your other recipes and there all amazing! Thanks for sharing all your recipes on here, I have made huge changes since coming across this website.
Laura says
I am so glad you are enjoying my recipes! For the sunscreen, definitely mix it longer to make sure it is well incorporated.
Lauren A says
Hi, I am excited to try this recipe! Quick question, if I omit the coconut oil will it comprise the consistency of the bar at all? Thanks!
Laura says
Yes, you’ll need the coconut oil for this recipe
Bitz says
Hello I love the looks of the recipe. I am a little nervous to try it in uv of 11 would you think if I added more nano zinc oxide it would be good? I wonder how much more? Thank you. I have tried other of your recipes an have loved them all💛
Laura says
You want the non nano zinc oxide to make up no more than 20-25% of the ingredients (without including the zinc oxide in the calculations)
20% of non nano zinc oxide provides around SPF 20.
Debbie says
Laura, this is a beautiful lotion bar, but just FYI that it needs to be sent out for testing before you can promote it as having a certain SPF. Just adding zinc oxide doesn’t do the job. ♥️
Laura says
The SPF will vary as it depends on the amount of zinc oxide you add into it.
Linda Coleman says
I have a place at a beach in South Carolina so I spend a lot of time in the heat and sun during the summer. How do you keep the sunscreen lotion bar from melting while you’re in the sun?
Debi says
I yet to try this recipe..
Am I to assume it is reef friendly?
Thank you