I have extraordinarily sensitive skin, like annoyingly sensitive. The smallest shift in my skincare routine and I am in big trouble.
Summer is a problem. My skin hates sunscreen. I have literally tried them all; natural, organic, crazy expensive, you name it, I have lathered it on my freckles in hopes that I (A) wouldn't burn and (B) wouldn't develop some horribly unattractive rash. For about 20 years I have lost this battle, and then 2 summers ago I developed what doctors called an allergy to the sun. Fun. Real fun. All summer long and into early fall, for 2 years, I had a terribly attractive rash all over my face.
I tried every dietary change imaginable, to no avail. Last summer I threw in the towel and just resigned to covering up as best I could and wearing hats everywhere. Not cute. I don't pull off hats very well.
Enter last resort-ville:
As the warmer days approached this year I was determined to not live this summer as a covered up hermit. I was going to win this sun/sunscreen sensitivity battle. So I thought, how hard could it be to make my own sunscreen? I knew my skin could tolerate certain oils, what else did I need?
After much research what I discovered is that making your own sunscreen is not only super easy, it is also crazy affordable and actually kind of fun. Even if you don't have any of my serious skin sensitivity issues you may want to still consider whipping up your own batch of sunscreen. As it turns out, nearly 60% of commercial sunscreens on the market are full of hormone disrupting compounds that can cause cancer. Cause cancer, not prevent cancer (which is supposed to be the purpose of sunscreen, no?) It is known, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that what you put on your skin enters into your bloodstream. Transforming your skin care routine can prove to be just as important as eating more kale.
Homemade Sunscreen In A Snap: (SPF 20)
What You Need to Make Homemade Natural Sunscreen
- 1/4 Cup Olive Oil
- 1/2 Cup Coconut Oil (this has a natural SPF of 10)
- 2 Tbsp Shea Butter
- 1/4 Cup Beeswax (this helps to make the sunscreen waterproof)
- 2 Tbsp Zinc Oxide (this amount will give you an SPF of 20, for a higher SPF use more)
- a few drops of Lavender Essential Oil (for a lovely smell AND a natural bug repellent!)
How to To Make Homemade Sunscreen
- 1. Combine olive oil, coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax in a jar.
- 2. Over a double boiler heat mixture until beeswax melts
- 3. Remove from heat, cover your face, and carefully add zinc oxide. Stir very well.
- 4. Add lavender oil, stir well.
- 5. Pour into small jars.
- This should keep for 4-6 months.
I did not have zinc oxide or beeswax lying around so I purchased some from New Directions Aromatics for a super affordable price. Be cautious of inhaling the zinc oxide, cover your face and mouth during this step.
I even made you a little retro video of the process, watch below. The sunscreen turned out perfectly! It doesn't turn your skin chalky white, its super soft, and it works! I haven't had a sunburn or rash/breakout yet!
I happen to have enough ingredients to make about 400 of these little jars, so who is coming over for a sunscreen party?
Tina says
Should I store this in a glass jar or is it ok to store in a tin or plastic jar?
Tina says
What type if zinc oxide did you buy the powder form or the paste?
AbraPappa says
Powder form 🙂
Nikki says
Hi I was wondering how much zinc oxide I would have to add in order to get 60 spf?
AbraPappa says
Zinc oxide will only protect up to a 20 SPF, you can add other ingredients like carrot seed oil for a higher SPF, but I don’t know the exact ratios.
Nikki says
I just received all my products to make your large batch of whipped body butter and sunblock. I was wondering if I could put Raspberry seed oil in my sunblock and also need your advice on the effectiveness of the sunblock. I’ve always wanted to make my own due to so many bad ingredients sunblock has, but some websites tells you it’s not effective. I have very fair sensitive dry skin and burn super easy within 10minutes of sun exsposer. Just wondered if you had success with.
AbraPappa says
I too have very sensitive skin, I am also quite fair and burn easily. I have found that my best protection from the sun is shade. I can tell you that when I make my own sunscreen I don’t have any kind of negative skin reaction to it, no rash or irritation. I have also not burned but I don’t lay out in direct sunlight. I think its as effective as store-bought sunscreen, but again I am not using it while lying out in hot direct sunlight. I am always under an umbrella on the beach, but I do swim quite a lot and I haven’t burned in years. I’ve never tried raspberry seed oil, it has a pretty low SPF, but I can’t speak to its efficacy.
Debra Meehan says
what kind of olive oil do you use in your recipes? EVOO from Costco work? thanks!
AbraPappa says
Yup, that would definitely work. I use whatever I have around, just not a super expensive one 🙂
Alexandra Beck says
All sunscreens, especially sweatproof-high spf types make my skin feel like it’s burning to the point I would have to wash it off in fear I was burning my skin. Plus, my skin gets red. This only gets worse in the sun. This happens with every product that contains an spf (make up included). The only type of sunscreen that doesn’t make me feel that way, ironically, the tanning oils. Unfortunately, I have to apply about every 30 minutes in order to not burn, and the oiliness is less than ideal for a day-to-day scenario. I’m concerned the zinc oxide would cause this same issue. As I live in Florida, even 15minutes in the sun causes irritation so I need a daily sunscreen. Do you think the coconut oil would be sufficient on it’s on to use as a daily sunscreen?
AbraPappa says
Hi Alexandra. Sounds like you have a pretty intense reaction to sunscreen! I would maybe purchase a natural product that is pure zinc oxide and try on a very small patch of skin to see if you react. The coconut oil would not be sufficient protection.
Jean Marie says
Hi, Abra! I’m allergic to olives, what oil can I use?
AbraPappa says
Hi Jean Marie,
Apricot seed oil, sesame oil, or grapeseed oil would all work.
Elisa says
Though the smell is not nice as lavender, tea tree oil would be a wonderful addition, due to its antibacterial and fungicidal properties. You could be fighting blemishes while you protect your skin from the sun (although I would probably add more than a couple of drops myself). Also, mint or rosemary oil are better bug repellent oils (but they don’t smell as nice, either).
AbraPappa says
Tea tree oil is stinky! I do love travel with it though, it’s the perfect antibacterial to have on hand 🙂 But I love the idea of mint or rosemary oil, I think they smell fantastic!
Wavesong says
Hello! I would love to try this out! However, I am allergic to latex and it seems that the shea tree is closely related to the latex tree, putting shea butter at high risk of provoking a cross-reaction. Is there any alternative substance I could use?
Abra Pappa says
Hi, I just finished making another batch using cocoa butter rather than shea butter and it worked beautifully!
Wavesong says
Oh awesome! Thanks a lot 🙂
Lindsey says
Thank you! This has been a life saver for me. I was starting to think no sunscreen was the way to go…
Abra Pappa says
Yay!
Lindsey says
I LOVE this. I am tired of hives. How much does this recipe make? I am a PE teacher in Southern California so I go through tons of sunscreen. Wondering how much of each ingredient I will need to last a few months. Thank you!
Abra Pappa says
Hi Lindsey, this recipe made 3 8oz jars, which have lasted me all summer. I bought enough ingredients to probably make about 30 jars!
Tony Pappa says
Enjoyed the sunscreen lesson. It’s probably too late for my head, but I’ll give it a try!
Abra Pappa says
It’s never too late! Never 😉
rubyjackson says
Yes, Tony Its never to late there is alway some scope of improvement in it. You can also go with dermatologist recommended cream Dermaxsol, which I personally used it when I went out in Sun.