Note: I am not a doctor, herbalist, aromatherapist or chemist. I am just an everyday mom trying to figure out how to live naturally. This recipe is one that works for myself and my family. Please consult your doctor before using any diy recipe or essential oils to confirm that they are safe for you. This holds especially important if you are currently pregnant.

Natural Homemade Sunscreen Recipe

A simple, DIY recipe for DIY Sunscreen This all-natural sunscreen is a blend of oils, butters and zinc oxide. It’s worked on myself as well as my babes for years in conjunction with safe sun practices. It’s simple to whip up and even keeps your skin moisturized!

I’m pretty sure I was born to live in a sunny state and constantly be warm. Instead, I’m over here kicking it in Canada. And while my country is seriously awesome, winter gets a little long. So by the time the warmth comes around, we spend literally all day outside (mainly playing in the dirt or rocking some fun outdoor workouts haha).

With so much outdoors time, it means we need a really awesome natural sunscreen recipe!

First off, let’s get the obvious out of the way: I am not a doctor (of any sorts, or a chemist). Gasp! Aside from what I read oh so long ago when I was researching, I don’t have any straight references to give you when it comes to the complete potency or effectiveness of this natural sunscreen recipe.

There’s a lot of back and forth regarding homemade sunscreen so do your own research and make the choices best for you 🙂 This blog post lists a few yucky things in traditional sunscreens, so if you’re shopping, avoid these ingredients!

All I have to offer in this post is my experience in the last four years of using it and what I have learned along the way.

So as long as you’re cool with that … read on! Or, JUMP to the recipe.

 

Why I Make Homemade Sun Cream

I first began using a homemade sunscreen recipe a few years ago when I was starting to switch over a lot of my household and beauty products. Truthfully, I just thought it would be fun to make my own and it sounded easy.

I was definitely a bit worried though as I have somewhat fair skin and had always used spf 50 up until that point. In fact, I slathered it on in hopes of preventing burns!

So I started reading. And the more I read and learned about traditional sunscreen the more I didn’t really want to rub it onto mine, and now my daughters’ skin.

I mean really, if I go through all the trouble to make every single lotion, buy only quality soaps and bubbles and whip up everything else in the house, why would I ruin all my work with regular sunscreen?! I was learning everything I could about homemade beauty products so sunscreen was a next step.

Of course, I could buy a sunscreen (and I do– more on that below but you can purchase off my favorite company!), but they’re pricey as hell and I’m classically Dutch. This is another brand that I’m loving this year for beach days when my hubby doesn’t want to bring a jar haha Both have low EWG ratings and work well!

Homemade Sunscreen Recipe- Potency

Each ingredient in the butter has its own spf content and the bit of zinc gives it an extra boost (tip- you can also add carrot seed oil if you have it as that particular oil has its own higher spf)

A quick note on zinc. I believe that there are various kinds of zinc and you’re looking for Non-Nano Pharmaceutical Grade Zinc. I wish I would remember why… but I can’t! I just know it has to be that one (sorry!)

There’s no way that I give you an exact idea on the spf content of this recipe for homemade sunscreen but my thinking is it’s around 15-20. Personally, this works for us.

Random: I actually read along time ago that anything over an spf of 25/30 isn’t “more effective” anyways! It’s just additional chemicals. I have no idea if this is true, but it definitely got me thinking – if you know the answer to this please comment below and inform me!

The thing is, even with traditional sunscreen lotions you sometimes get burned. Nothing is foolproof. This is my biggest pet peeve when it comes to making my own if I get a little bit red everyone freaks out. I got plenty burnt as a kid with crazy chemical-filled spf 50 so let’s all settle down a tad.

 

Safe Sun Practices

Now that said, yes both of my daughters wear DIY Sunscreen. But they also:

• Wear hats
• Alternate between sun and shade
• Re-apply
• Wear UV protected clothes
• Drink lots of water

I haven’t tested this natural sunscreen recipe out in direct sunlight for eight hours because that’s insane. The sun here in Canada gets intense so yes, they are forced into shade sometimes to cool off their systems.

One thing I do love about this homemade sunscreen recipe though is that because it is oil-based it doesn’t come off easily in the water!

Oil repels water, so you stay protected a bit longer.

 

The Consistency

This particular DIY sunscreen recipe seems a bit hard once it sets and you have to mush it a bit with your fingers. Buuuttt I actually prefer this as when the jar sits in your beach bag or car all day and gets warm, it’s not insanely goopy- just soft. If this drives you bananas though, just add some extra oil.

Honestly, I love this DIY sun protection recipe. It’s beyond easy to whip up, stores well, and has worked beautifully for me (along with common sense sun practices) for a few years.

DIY sunscreen may not be for you- and that’s ok! Remember, I can’t give you a zillion reasons as to why this recipe might work, only that it has for me in the past couple of years. It’s our go-to and it leaves my skin soft, so I love it.

That said, there have been a few burns on my end in the last few years (none on the kids) and it’s mainly from falling asleep on the beach (oops). If this is you, check out these natural sunburn remedies! My favorite is pure aloe and lavender 😉

Ingredients in the Homemade Sunscreen

• ¼ cup Coconut Oil

• ¼ cup beeswax
• 2 tablespoons non-nano zinc
• 2 tablespoons shae butter
• 1 tablespoon Cacao butter
• 3 tablespoons almond oil

Note: all of these DIY ingredients can be found from my favorite buyers here. I especially like to purchase from Pronounce Skincare as she has quality products and is another mama trying to make it all work!

Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful

• Double boiler
• Mini whisk
• Mini mason jars

Tip: don’t add essential oils to your sunscreen. Some oils (like citrus ones) actually cause burns when exposed to direct sunlight! Keep it natural.

How To Make Homemade Sunscreen

In a jar combine all ingredients except for zinc.

Place into a pot with only an inch of boiling water. Making sure that no water bubbles into the jar. Stir frequently.

Leave in the pot until everything is melted.

Once melted, remove from heat and whisk in the zinc.

Really whisk it in (for about one full minute). If it’s not dissolved it sinks to the bottom.

Pour into jars and let sit on the counter for twenty-four hours until firm.

Note: this sunscreen comes out a bit hard. I personally like this as it melts a bit when in the car/at the beach and makes it easy to go on.
If you don’t like this, either cut the beeswax back ever so slightly or add in a bit more almond oil.

Don’t forget to pin this DIY sunscreen recipe!

Store-Bought Natural Sunscreens

As I mentioned, I do also have a container of store-bought sunscreen. Because my daughter is in pre-school, they are unwilling to use a homemade variation (yes, this made my eye twitch). After a lot of painful research, I opted for Garden Goddess or Attitude Fragrance-Free.

It has an EWG rating of ONE which is so freaking amazing and so I don’t feel like the worst person ever for slathering it on my toddler.

While it is pricey, we don’t use it as much as my own and thus it works for us.

Grab your printable

 

Having a natural sunscreen recipe on hand is awesome for both yourself and your kids! Personally, I make a big batch up at the start of summer and am good to go. And while sunscreen is awesome, keep in mind that safe sun practices need to be combined with the lotion- enjoy your Vitamin D… but safely!