Homemade Sunscreen

Protect your skin naturally while out in the summer sun with this all-natural homemade sunscreen. It is easy to make and looks and feels just like store-bought sunscreen! Your family won’t know the difference, but you will feel better knowing what you are putting on your children’s skin!

A few things to know about this sunscreen:

1. This sunscreen should have an SPF of about 20+ because the zinc oxide has an SPF of 20, the coconut oil has an SPF of 4, and the essential oils used in this recipe are also beneficial for protecting against the sun’s rays.
2. It may need to be reapplied every hour or so, especially during water play. The beeswax in this recipe does help it be a little waterproof, but stay on the safe side and reapply fairly often.
3. Even though it looks like it goes on pretty white in the above picture, it doesn’t stay that way. Just rub it on the skin, spreading it all over, and after a minute or so it will melt and disappear.
4. This sunscreen will last through the summer—possibly even 2 summers depending on how fresh your ingredients are.

Homemade Sunscreen

Servings: Yield 3–4 oz. (90–120 ml) | Time: 15–20 minutes active; 1–2 hours inactive | Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients & Supplies:

• 1 1/2 Tbsp. (14 g) Beeswax Pellets
• 1 Tbsp. (14 g) Shea Butter
• 2 heaping Tbsp. (45 g) Coconut Oil
• 2 Tbsp. (30 ml) Jojoba Oil or Sweet Almond Oil
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. (20 g) Zinc Oxide
• 1/4 tsp. (1–2 ml) Vitamin E Oil
• 10 drops helichrysum or arborvitae essential oil
• 10–15 drops lavender essential oil
• Two Lotion Tottles or one 4 oz. Bottle with Snap Top

Instructions:

1. Melt beeswax and shea butter in a double boiler (or place a heat-proof glass dish in a pan of boiling water).
2. Once melted, add coconut oil and sweet almond or jojoba oil. Stir until incorporated, and remove from heat.
3. Allow to cool for a few minutes; then stir in vitamin E oil and essential oils.
4. Slowly add zinc oxide. Be careful not to breathe it in! Whisk it in, and continue whisking until it is fully incorporated (an immersion blender works really well for this).
5. Pour into containers, and allow to cool before using.

Extra Idea:

You can easily double the recipe and fill an 8 oz. Bottle with a Snap Top if you tend to go through a lot of sunscreen during the summer.