How to Make Homemade Natural Sunscreen
Homemade natural sunscreen is a quick and easy DIY project with just a few ingredients! I love knowing what’s in our sunscreen.
Even though we’re nearing the end of summer, right now the weather has been hotter than ever! The sun has been out in full force.
Earlier this week we had one of our hottest days of summer, with the temperature over 100°.
So there’s still plenty of time to be out in the sun and applying sunscreen. At least in our neck of the woods!
I’ve been wanting to share this easy DIY sunscreen tutorial for quite awhile. It’s my favorite natural sunscreen, and it’s really easy to make.
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Supplies Needed
This recipe uses ingredients we keep on hand for other DIY projects (and recipes), so we usually have these items readily available.
Here’s what you’ll need to make your own homemade sunscreen.
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1/4 cup cocoa butter
- 1/4 cup shea butter
- 1/4 cup almond oil
- 1/4 cup beeswax
- 1/4 cup non-nano zinc oxide
- 15 drops essential oil (optional—I use 10 drops of lavender and 5 drops frankincense)
How to Make Homemade Natural Sunscreen
Making your own homemade sunscreen is really simple.
You’ll need a double boiler or you can make your own using a bowl or jar placed over a saucepan of water.
I recommend setting aside a container that you’re just going to use for recipes like this one.
I have a Mason jar and some utensils that I use for making DIY body care products.
1. Fill a saucepan (or double boiler) with a few inches of water and place on medium heat.
2. Add the first five ingredients (all except the zinc oxide and essential oils) to a double boiler (I use a quart-sized glass jar).
3. Put the jar with the ingredients in the pan of heating water.
4. As the ingredients start to melt, stir to combine.
5. Remove from heat and allow mixture to cool a bit.
6. Add in the zinc oxide and essential oil to the jar (I love to use 10 drops of lavender and 5 drops frankincense, but you can try other combinations. The only caution is with citrus oils, as they can increase sun sensitivity.)
Whisk the ingredients well with a fork. As the mixture continues to cool, stir a few more times to make sure it is well blended.
7. Pour the finished sunscreen into a glass jar for storage, and store at room temperature.
More DIY Recipes
- 3-Ingredient After-Sun Spray
- Homemade Coconut Mint Toothpaste
- How to Make Foaming Hand Soap
- Lavender Linen Spray
Homemade Natural Sunscreen Recipe
Homemade Natural Sunscreen DIY Tutorial
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1/4 cup cocoa butter
- 1/4 cup shea butter
- 1/4 cup almond oil
- 1/4 cup beeswax
- 1/4 cup non-nano zinc oxide
- 15 drops essential oil optional
Instructions
- Fill a saucepan with a few inches of water and place on medium heat (or use a double boiler).
- Add the first five ingredients (all except the zinc oxide and essential oil) to a double boiler (I use a quart-sized glass jar).
- Put the jar with the ingredients in the pan of heating water.
- As the ingredients start to melt, stir to combine.
- Remove from heat and allow mixture to cool a bit.
- Add in the zinc oxide and essential oil to the jar or double boiler (I use 10 drops of lavender and 5 drops frankincense, but you can try other combinations. The only caution is with citrus oils, as they can increase sun sensitivity.)
- Whisk the ingredients well with a fork. As the mixture continues to cool, stir a few more times to make sure it is well blended.
- Pour the finished sunscreen into a glass jar for storage, and store at room temperature.
Notes
How to Use Homemade Sunscreen
We love the consistency of this natural sunscreen. It is so reminiscent of traditional sunscreen, yet without all the chemicals.
Be sure to apply a thick layer of the sunscreen before heading out into the sun.
Also, you’ll want to reapply the sunscreen every couple of hours and possibly more often if you’re in the water or sweating.
Shop the Supplies for This Project
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1/4 cup cocoa butter
- 1/4 cup shea butter
- 1/4 cup almond oil
- 1/4 cup beeswax
- 1/4 cup non-nano zinc oxide
- 15 drops essential oil (optional—I use 10 drops of lavender and 5 drops frankincense)
Does it leave the skin oily?
Yes, it’s a bit oily because of the oils in the recipe.
If we don’t have almond oil, can I use grapeseed or avocado?
Yes, avocado oil is another great choice. Olive oil can also be used.
How long is the shelf life of this homemade sunscreen?
Thank you,
Katya
Hi Katya! We’ve had it last several months (at least 3 months), but if you store it in the refrigerator between use times, it may last as long as 6 months.
Since I’m allergic to most sunscreens this is awesome. Thanks for sharing on the Really Crafty Link Party.
So glad it was helpful!
I’d never even considered home made sunscreen. Interesting. But…I don’t like all of the additives of most commercial kinds, so this is a neat idea.
Thanks for bringing it to the Homestead Blog Hop! Glad we could feature your recipe this last week.
Blessings,
Laurie
Ridge Haven Homestead
Thanks Laurie!
Any ideas on what the SPF would be? Also is this safe for babies & children?
I’m not sure about the SPF. If you’re looking for a particular SPF, I would probably just purchase a natural sunscreen with that SPF. I don’t have experience using this on young children. I feel comfortable using it on my children, but they’re older now.
Great idea! Thank you for sharing at Party In Your PJ’s.
Thank you, Ann!
Thank you so much for this recipe! I am glad I found the Homestead Blog hop! I may try to make this soon.
So glad it was helpful! It’s fun and easy to make!
It came out runny
Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that! Mine always comes out with the consistency of regular sunscreen, like a thick cream.
Are you able to switch out the coconut oil for carrot seed oil?
I’m not sure how this would work to switch them out (as they’re different types of oil), but you could definitely add some carrot seed oil to the recipe.
CONGRATULATIONS: Our Menaka has chosen your post to be FEATURED on the next Blogger’s Pit Stop. We love to promote our Bloggers 🙂
Kathleen
Thank you, Kathleen!
I saw your link on the Tuesdays with a Twist Blog Hop. I haven’t tried DIY Sunscreen before. Thank you for the tutorial!
Thanks so much for stopping by, Marielle!
Wonderful recipe! We only use natural sunscreen. Glad to have some recipe options. Thanks for sharing on the Homestead Blog Hop. Hope to see more tomorrow.
Thank you, Kelly!
What a wonderful idea!
Thank you!
It can be difficult to find a sunscreen that actually works. I look forward to trying this recipe!
We love the smell and texture of this one! It does require applying quite a bit and reapplying frequently after water exposure, but I still love being able to make my own.
Love your post. I’ve made my own before too but the only problem I had with this is figuring out exactly what the SPF factor is. I even had a friend that is a chemist try to help me out on that. I’ve also read that aloe vera has some SPF protection as well but I have no idea what kind of rating that would give for your skin.
Thank you! Yes, that part is tricky. I love being able to make my own, but if I knew I needed or wanted a specific SPF rating, I’d just buy a natural brand with that rating. 🙂
I’ve been thinking about trying this! Thanks for sharing your recipe.
You’re welcome!
I’ve never even thought about trying to make my own sun cream, it’s so interesting to see the ingredients that would go into it. Very cool!
Glad it was helpful! It’s fun to make your own!