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June 5, 2022 by Joy Kincaid 36 Comments

How to Make Homemade Natural Sunscreen

2.9K shares

Homemade natural sunscreen is a quick and easy DIY project with just a few ingredients! I love knowing what’s in our sunscreen.

homemade natural 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.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read my disclosure here.

natural sunscreen ingredients

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).

beeswax pastilles in mason jar

3. Put the jar with the ingredients in the pan of heating water.

melting beeswax

4. As the ingredients start to melt, stir to combine.

stirring ingredients in glass jar

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.

homemade natural sunscreen

7. Pour the finished sunscreen into a glass jar for storage, and store at room temperature.

How to Make Homemade Natural Sunscreen

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
Print Recipe

Homemade Natural Sunscreen DIY Tutorial

Learn how to make your own homemade natural sunscreen with this easy recipe.
Keyword: homemade sunscreen, natural sunscreen
Author: Joy from Artful Homemaking

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)

How to Make Homemade Natural Sunscreen

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Comments

  1. Shelley Webb says

    June 3, 2023 at 8:49 pm

    Does it leave the skin oily?

    Reply
    • Joy Kincaid says

      June 5, 2023 at 5:12 pm

      Yes, it’s a bit oily because of the oils in the recipe.

      Reply
  2. Mich says

    May 14, 2023 at 7:25 pm

    If we don’t have almond oil, can I use grapeseed or avocado?

    Reply
    • Joy Kincaid says

      May 16, 2023 at 6:13 pm

      Yes, avocado oil is another great choice. Olive oil can also be used.

      Reply
  3. Katya says

    March 6, 2023 at 10:50 am

    How long is the shelf life of this homemade sunscreen?

    Thank you,
    Katya

    Reply
    • Joy Kincaid says

      March 6, 2023 at 7:03 pm

      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.

      Reply
  4. Janet says

    August 3, 2021 at 7:30 pm

    Since I’m allergic to most sunscreens this is awesome. Thanks for sharing on the Really Crafty Link Party.

    Reply
    • Joy Kincaid says

      August 9, 2021 at 6:15 pm

      So glad it was helpful!

      Reply
  5. Laurie says

    August 1, 2021 at 7:35 pm

    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

    Reply
    • Joy Kincaid says

      August 3, 2021 at 7:21 pm

      Thanks Laurie!

      Reply
  6. Marion says

    July 30, 2021 at 9:58 am

    Any ideas on what the SPF would be? Also is this safe for babies & children?

    Reply
    • Joy Kincaid says

      August 3, 2021 at 7:20 pm

      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.

      Reply
  7. Ann says

    July 25, 2021 at 1:24 pm

    Great idea! Thank you for sharing at Party In Your PJ’s.

    Reply
    • Joy Kincaid says

      July 27, 2021 at 4:27 pm

      Thank you, Ann!

      Reply
  8. Christina says

    July 23, 2021 at 1:33 pm

    Thank you so much for this recipe! I am glad I found the Homestead Blog hop! I may try to make this soon.

    Reply
    • Joy Kincaid says

      July 27, 2021 at 4:25 pm

      So glad it was helpful! It’s fun and easy to make!

      Reply
  9. Jess says

    April 9, 2021 at 4:20 pm

    It came out runny

    Reply
    • Joy Kincaid says

      April 22, 2021 at 6:05 pm

      Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that! Mine always comes out with the consistency of regular sunscreen, like a thick cream.

      Reply
    • Kait H says

      June 2, 2023 at 12:28 pm

      Are you able to switch out the coconut oil for carrot seed oil?

      Reply
      • Joy Kincaid says

        June 5, 2023 at 5:11 pm

        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.

        Reply
  10. Kathleen Aherne says

    August 17, 2020 at 7:13 pm

    CONGRATULATIONS: Our Menaka has chosen your post to be FEATURED on the next Blogger’s Pit Stop. We love to promote our Bloggers 🙂
    Kathleen

    Reply
    • Joy Kincaid says

      August 21, 2020 at 9:08 pm

      Thank you, Kathleen!

      Reply
  11. Marielle says

    August 11, 2020 at 1:00 pm

    I saw your link on the Tuesdays with a Twist Blog Hop. I haven’t tried DIY Sunscreen before. Thank you for the tutorial!

    Reply
    • Joy Kincaid says

      August 13, 2020 at 7:11 pm

      Thanks so much for stopping by, Marielle!

      Reply
  12. Kelly says

    August 11, 2020 at 9:36 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Joy Kincaid says

      August 13, 2020 at 7:10 pm

      Thank you, Kelly!

      Reply
  13. the real cie says

    September 2, 2019 at 1:05 pm

    What a wonderful idea!

    Reply
    • Joy Kincaid says

      September 2, 2019 at 1:57 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  14. Carri says

    September 2, 2019 at 10:54 am

    It can be difficult to find a sunscreen that actually works. I look forward to trying this recipe!

    Reply
    • Joy Kincaid says

      September 2, 2019 at 1:55 pm

      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.

      Reply
  15. Alice V says

    September 2, 2019 at 10:06 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Joy Kincaid says

      September 2, 2019 at 1:54 pm

      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. 🙂

      Reply
  16. Dianna says

    August 27, 2019 at 12:00 pm

    I’ve been thinking about trying this! Thanks for sharing your recipe.

    Reply
    • Joy Kincaid says

      August 28, 2019 at 4:51 pm

      You’re welcome!

      Reply
  17. Julie says

    August 23, 2019 at 8:18 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Joy Kincaid says

      August 28, 2019 at 4:49 pm

      Glad it was helpful! It’s fun to make your own!

      Reply

Welcome!

Hi, I'm Joy. I'm so glad you're here! I've been a homemaker for over 25 years, and I love sharing homemaking advice, tips, recipes, and encouragement for homemakers. Read more here...

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