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

Learn how to make your own homemade natural sunscreen with this easy recipe.

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Author: Joy Kincaid

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

To use, apply a thick layer to skin before sun exposure. Be sure to reapply sunscreen every couple of hours, more often if you're in the water.

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)