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).
Up to 1 teaspoon Red Raspberry Seed Oil– optional
Up to 1 teaspoon Carrot Seed Oil– optional
2 tablespoons Shea Butter (natural SPF 4-5)- optional
Optional: Essential Oils, Vanilla Extract or other natural extracts to suit your preference (Do not use citrus essential oils as they increase sun sensitivity)
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.
Store at room temperature
Additional Notes:
This sunscreen is not waterproof and will need to be reapplied after sweating or swimming.
Make sure not to inhale the Zinc Oxide– use a mask if necessary!
Add more beeswax to make thicker sunscreen, less to make smooth sunscreen
I recommend coconut or vanilla extract or lavender essential oils for fragrance
Store in a cool, dry place or in the fridge
I prefer to store in a small canning jar and apply like a body butter. It will be thicker, especially if you use coconut oil in the recipe.
Remove the Zinc Oxide and this makes an excellent lotion recipe!
The individual ingredients are considered low SPF and generally quoted at these levels:
Almond Oil- SPF around 5
Coconut Oil– SPF 4-6
Zinc Oxide SPF 2-20 depending on how much is used
Red Raspberry Seed Oil SPF 25-50
Carrot Seed Oil – SPF 35-40
Shea Butter – SPF 4-6