Homemade Sunscreen Sticks

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Wellness Mama » Blog » Beauty » Homemade Sunscreen Sticks

I’ve had fun lately creating several different varieties of lotion bars. I started with the basic recipe and realized the options were truly endless for variations. Sometimes I’ll use a mold, but I like making lotion bar sticks too for even easier application. One of my favorites so far is this DIY sunscreen stick!

Mineral Sunscreen Stick

It’s basically a stick version of my homemade sunscreen. It also avoids all the harmful chemicals, parabens, and potential carcinogens in regular sunscreen. And it’s easier to apply than a cream since it’s in a bar or stick form which makes it easier for kids to do it themselves. It glides across skin for easy reapplication as needed.

There are a few different ways to make these depending on how you like them. If you want some cute shapes and a handheld version, then use silicone molds. Muffin tins also work well if that’s what you have. The least messy option is to make a sunscreen stick with a twist-up tube or deodorant container.

It has hydrating ingredients that are moisturizing and great for sensitive skin. Because it’s basically a lotion bar with sun protection it’s perfect for dry skin too. If you’re prone to acne then this may not be the best sunscreen face stick option for you though. Coconut oil is not non-comedogenic, and neither is cocoa butter. Shea butter and mango butter though are much less likely to clog pores.

Sunscreen SPF

But first, let’s put on our science hats for a bit and geek out on the details of SPF. SPF stands for sun protection factor and tells how much UV protection you’ll get from your sunscreen lotion. It’s calculated by dividing the amount of sun exposure that causes the skin to get red by the amount that causes skin reddening without sunscreen. For example, if it takes the skin 30 times longer to burn with sunscreen on than without, that’s SPF 30.

However, this doesn’t take into account different skin types, skin tones, how much someone sweats, or other weather conditions. While many sunscreens are marketed as water resistant, this doesn’t mean they’re waterproof. If you’re in the water for several hours dermatologists recommend you reapply.

You’d think that a broadspectrum SPF 50 would have way more protection than SPF 15, but that’s not really the case.

  • SPF 15 – Blocks 93% of UVB rays
  • SPF 30 – SPF 40 – Blocks 97% of UVB rays
  • SPF 50 – Blocks 98% of UVB rays

There are also two different types of rays, UVB and UVA. UVB rays cause skin reddening while UVA does not. A broad-spectrum sunscreen will cover both, but UVB is what SPF is rated for.

Chemicals in Sunscreen

Skincare companies use chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate in sunscreen to absorb sun rays. Research has found these are absorbed into the body in unsafe amounts and can cause problems like hormone disruption. Sun sticks that promise ultra-sheer coverage are more likely to use risky chemicals. Sunscreen sprays are another option often full of harmful chemicals.

Drugstore brands like Neutrogena, Cerave, Aveeno, Sun Bum, and Cetaphil sheer mineral sunscreen stick all have ingredients I’d rather avoid. Other popular sunscreen brands include Supergoop, Eltamd, and Shiseido. These all score high on EWG for toxic ingredients. Another good reason to make your own!

Other more natural options are ingredients like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. These sit on top of the skin and block UVB rays. I always opt for non-nano zinc oxide since the particles aren’t small enough to be absorbed into the bloodstream. Mineral-based sunscreens are reef-safe and the safest and best sunscreen options for the skin.

Ingredients in DIY Sunscreen Sticks

I use coconut oil in these because it has a mild SPF on its own and adds a nice texture. If you have a coconut allergy then you can replace the coconut oil with a mix of liquid oil and more beeswax. Mango and shea butter both have a natural SPF of 4 and help moisturize and protect skin.

Beeswax helps thicken everything up and the zinc oxide provides protection from the sun’s rays. I also like adding vitamin E to extend the shelf life and add some skin-nourishing antioxidants. You can make a fragrance-free version or add essential oils for a nice scent and added skin benefits.

Certain essential oils are phototoxic, meaning they can cause burns if applied before sun exposure. Do NOT use lime, lemon, or bergamot essential oil in this sunscreen! Grapefruit may be phototoxic, but the jury is still out on that one. Other citrus options like sweet orange, tangerine, and mandarin don’t have this problem.

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4.43 from 7 votes

Homemade Sunscreen Sticks

These DIY sunscreen sticks are easy to apply, even for little ones! Use silicone molds for fun designs, or use tubes for even less mess.
Author: Katie Wells

Materials

Instructions

  • Combine the coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax in a double boiler. You can also use a glass bowl over a smaller saucepan filled with a few inches of water.
  • Bring the water to a boil and stir ingredients until melted.
  • Remove from the heat and add the zinc oxide powder, vitamin E oil, and essential oils. More zinc oxide gives you more sun protection, but it also makes a thicker layer on the skin.
  • Pour into your molds or tubes and allow to cool completely.
  • Store at room temperature or in the fridge. Keep below 80 degrees or they'll start to melt.

Notes

  • You can use different shaped molds for different designs or use a square baking pan and cut them into bars. 
  • You can use any amount of shea, cocoa, or mango butter you want as long as they total 1/2 cup.
  • Experiment with how much zinc oxide you need to use for your skin type and sun exposure needs. 

What SPF is Homemade Sunscreen?

The short answer here, is I don’t know. No one does without extensive (and expensive!) testing. Because this is a homemade product not made in a lab I can’t guarantee exact SPF amounts and I’m not going to try to guess. However, with the amount of zinc oxide used and from my family’s personal experience using this I can say we’ve had good results.

Natural sunscreen needs to be reapplied every few hours and after swimming. Normally I like to use hats, sun-protective clothing, and shade whenever possible.

Storing Your Sunscreen Sticks

I recommend keeping your sunscreen sticks in the cooler if you take them to the beach. They’ll start to get soft in higher temperatures. These sunscreen sticks store well at room temperature though.

I’d also encourage experimenting with how much coverage you want based on how much Zinc Oxide you add to the recipe. These have a smoother, thinner, and more waterproof coverage than my basic sunscreen recipe.

Don’t Forget Your Vitamins!

When possible, it’s also important to spend some time in the sun without sunscreen for vitamin D production. I try to get a few minutes of morning sunlight each morning, plus more in the afternoons. And of course, it’s really important to eat your sunscreen! There are also supplements and high-nutrient foods that help us avoid burning when we don’t use sunscreen.

About this time of year, I start taking a specific regimen of supplements that help reduce inflammation and improve sun tolerance. Here’s what I take:

  • Vitamin D3 (I take about 5,000 IU/day)- Emerging evidence shows that optimizing blood levels of Vitamin D can have a protective effect against sunburn and skin cancer. Here’s where I get it.
  • Vitamin C – (I take about 2,000 mg/day)- A potent anti-inflammatory and it’s good for the immune system too. What I use.
  • Coconut Oil– the Medium Chain Fatty Acids and saturated fat are easily utilized by the body for new skin formation and are protective against burning. I don’t use this as much anymore since my body does better with fewer saturated fats.
  • Fish Oil – I like to get my fish oil naturally from low-mercury fish options like salmon and sardines. These healthy Omega-3s reduce inflammation and help protect skin. Here’s what I use when I need a fish oil supplement.
  • Astaxanthin– A highly potent antioxidant that research shows acts as an internal sunscreen. It’s also anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, plus other benefits! I use this one.

Do you use sunscreen? What kind do you use? Share below!

These sunscreen lotion bars contain zinc for a natural sunscreen without the chemicals. The natural coconut oil and butters provide SPF and moisturize skin.
Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

338 responses to “Homemade Sunscreen Sticks”

  1. Carissa Arnold Avatar
    Carissa Arnold

    How much zinc oxide? your recipe says 2 tbls or more. As I read comments you said 1 cup. How well does the larger particle zinc combine? I cant seem to find pure zinc oxide in diaper isle. Has lots of other ingredients. <3 Thank you

  2. jess Avatar

    Hello, Do you know what the spf is of the original recipe for these bars. I am so happy to have found your site because we really needed a natural sunblock due to allergies.

  3. Herb Avatar

    LOVE the sunscreen bars! So convenient. I’d like to weigh in on the
    Vitamin D issue. I think taking 5000 IUs during the winter months is a
    good idea. But in the summertime a fair-skinned person can get 10,000
    IUs after just 10 minutes of exposure to the sun. So I don’t think
    vitamin D supplements would be needed by the average person in the
    summer. Last summer I tried spending a moderate time in the sun each
    day without sun screen. Depending on the day it was as little as 5
    minutes to as much as an hour or so. If the sun was hot enough to cause
    sunburn I wore a sun hat and loose long-sleeved top along with
    sunscreen. I think that’s one way to get that valuable vitamin D when
    the sun is high enough for us to take advantage of it 🙂 LOVE your blog
    and recipes 🙂

  4. Ann Kosa Avatar
    Ann Kosa

    That’s a big load of vitamin D3, and then you’re adding cod liver oil! I would never do it. You might want to look at vitamin K to keep that D from depositing calcium in your vessels. Just sayin’…

  5. Jennifer Avatar
    Jennifer

    Hi- I just love your blog. I have a question about the amount of zinc oxide for these bars. You have a sunscreen lotion recipe that has 1/2 almond oil,1/4 beeswax, and 1/4 coconut oil and 2 TBS zinc oxide to make about 20 spf. Then- I read through this recipe and it has triple the amount of ingredients- using a cup of each to make a bar and still the same amount of zinc oxide….I just assume that you would triple the amount of zinc oxide to make it a 20 spf?? So I made some bars based on that thought- I used 6 TBS zinc oxide with the 1 cup of each ratio and it made a really white lotion bar- I just want to make sure that it’s ok…or did I use too much?

  6. jan Avatar

    Hi, I really want to make these but after buying some zinc oxide online I’m slightly concerned that it says on the packet its not suitable for prolonged contact with skin… I’m a bit worried. Are you sure it’s safe to wear on the skin?

  7. Juanita Marion Avatar
    Juanita Marion

    I was curious about the issue regarding the nano particles of the zinc and was wondering how safe it is to be absorbing nano particles of zinc into the blood stream. I would also like to know what is the recommended daily intake of zinc as I am getting conflicting bits of information regarding this. I am also confused about the differences between zinc oxide and naturally occurring zinc.

  8. Heidi Avatar

    I just read your revised Sunscreen lotion recipe. Do you think you can use the same Jar method rather than the glass bowl/double boiler for the sunscreen bars?

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      Yep, absolutely. I just haven’t had time to update those yet.

  9. Moden Avatar

    How long do you need to start taking them before you start staying in the sun?

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      A few days typically but the sun tolerance will increase the longer you take them and the longer you are off other foods.

  10. Sam Avatar

    How do you take these with you in the summer to the pool or beach?  Or be able to travel with them on vacation?  Just wondering about the melting point.

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      I store in glass jars so in case they melt they still work and just stick them in the ice chest with the water.

  11. Margie Payne Avatar
    Margie Payne

    So I made these and combined the bug off idea with the sunscreen idea and am excited to see  how it works!  My only issue lately is that when I make things I am absolutely terrible about the clean up!  I’m finding it really hard to get the beeswax off of my bowls and spoons and whatnot…the lotion bar/sunscreen bar “stuff” is on my tools and I can’t seem to get them to come off.  It’s making me crazy!  Lol!  Do you, or anyone else, have any ideas?  What do you guys do? Thanks!

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      A tip I just recently though of… form now on, just mix all the ingredients in a glass jar and place the glass jar in the pan of hot/boiling water. Stir or shake every couple minutes, then just pour into molds. I just have a glass jar that I use only for this and it is working great… just can’t believe I didn’t think of it sooner!

    2. Tricia Avatar

      Baking soda sprinkled in the bowls helps. You can sprinkle it in, wipe it all out with a paper towel, and then proceed to wash normally.

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      It has a shelf life of at least a year if that is what you are asking, though if you are asking how long it will take to use up, it will depend on how much you put on and how often.

      1. Breezy Avatar

        Thanks. I was asking for how long it will take to use up. I just wanted to say that I love you site. 🙂

    1. Shawna Avatar

      I substituted carnauba wax for beeswax (vegan). Carnauba was has a higher melting point, thus a harder wax and will withstand higher ambient temperature. It is a little tricky, you have to melt this first and keep the double broiler going and add a little of the other waxes/butters in small quantities or the carnauba cools and hardens in clumps. Yes, ended up making 2 batches for this reason.

      Any recommendations for cleaning up the bowls, pans, spoons. What a mess. Ended up reheating and wiping with papertowels. Hottest water I could stand and soap did nothing for the residue.

  12. Ashtyn Buhler Avatar
    Ashtyn Buhler

    My sun is so allergic to every sunscreen and breaks out all over his bod when I put it on a small part of his face! I hope this solves my problems. Thanks for the post.

  13. Jill Betts Avatar
    Jill Betts

    OK, so I make the bars.  I thought they came out great but I got sunburned today.  I was pretty disappointed since I had such high hopes.  I actually doubled the amount of zinc oxide used and I thought it would be enough.  Could I melt them down again and add more?  If so, how much more can I add?

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      You could add as much as you’d want. How long were you out today?

      1. Jill Betts Avatar
        Jill Betts

        I was out from about 9:30am till about 1:00pm.  Maybe I should have reapplied!  Can I melt the bars back down or will that ruin them?

        1. Wellness Mama Avatar
          Wellness Mama

          You can melt them back down without a problem. I’d probably re-apply every 2 hours or so, especially if you are sweating…

        2. Lauren Phillips Avatar
          Lauren Phillips

          With any sunscreen, you’re supposed to reapply every two hours and even with waterproof sunscreens, you’re supposed to reapply after getting wet. When in doubt, reapply any sunscreen as often as you can!

        3. Rena Avatar

          I had my boyfriend put this on his shoulders and neck before he went outside to do yard work. He was out there for a couple hours and got very burnt. I had added extra zinc oxide too, but it didn’t seem to make a difference. I don’t think the hardened bars work well for me because I have to press pretty hard in order to get residue onto the skin. Sunscreen in a lotion/cream form might work better.

          1. Barb Avatar

            I had the same problem. I added extra zinc as well. Now I just use it as a creme before I go to bed, since it is so thick and do not want to waste it. I have it in a glass jar, and if it is cooler in the house, i just put it in my sink with warm water, and then it slides on easily. I am disappointed though that it did not work for us, especially how much work it was and the price of all the ingredients.

  14. Regenia K Compton Avatar
    Regenia K Compton

    I can not wait to get all these ingredients , my skin is so sensitive I  can only wear mineral make up. Most over the counter sunscreens, even the ones for the face are too strong and upset my Roseau.

  15. Jamie Avatar

    How long would you say this lasts before you need to reapply? 

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