DIY | How to make Natural Homemade Sunscreen
Posted by Dr. Della Parker on June 24, 2016
Summer is time for the going to the beach, sightseeing, playing outside in the sun, and traveling. When you plan on spending many hours in the sun, have young children, or take medication that increases sunburn risk you’ll want to use a natural form of sunscreen. Store-bought sunscreen can be packed full of toxic chemicals, potentially increasing your chances of developing skin cancer. This sunscreen recipe uses natural ingredients that already contain SPF. Remember, your skin needs sun exposure to produce Vitamin D but you don’t want to burn!
Homemade Sunscreen Ingredients
- ½ cup almond or olive oil (can infuse with herbs first if desired)
- ¼ cup coconut oil (natural SPF 4)
- ¼ cup beeswax
- 2 Tablespoons Zinc Oxide (This is a non-nano version that won’t be absorbed into the skin. Be careful not to inhale the powder).
- Optional: up to 1 teaspoon Red Raspberry Seed Oil
- Optional: up to 1 teaspoon Carrot Seed Oil
- Optional: up to 1 teaspoon Vitamin E oil
- Optional: 2 tablespoons Shea Butter (natural SPF 4-5)
- Optional: Essential Oils, Vanilla Extract or other natural extracts to suit your preference
Homemade Sunscreen Instructions
- Combine ingredients except zinc oxide in a pint sized or larger glass jar. I have a mason jar that I keep just for making lotions and lotion bars, or you can even reuse a glass jar from pickles, olives, or other foods.
- Fill a medium saucepan with a couple inches of water and place over medium heat.
- Put a lid on the jar loosely and place in the pan with the water.
- As the water heats, the ingredients in the jar will start to melt. Shake or stir occasionally to incorporate. When all ingredients are completely melted, add the zinc oxide, stir in well and pour into whatever jar or tin you will use for storage.
- Small mason jars (pint size) are great for this. It will not pump well in a lotion pump!
- Stir a few times as it cools to make sure zinc oxide is incorporated.
- Use as you would regular sunscreen. Best if used within six months.
Dr. Della treats all types of conditions but has a special interest in digestive problems, chronic fatigue, and thyroid dysfunction. As a Naturopathic Doctor, her license allows her to prescribe pharmaceuticals, as well as help patients wean off of them. The model of holistic health looks at the whole body not just isolated symptoms. Learn what your holistic health looks like by contacting Dr. Della Parker.