Natural Homemade Sunscreen Recipe

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Wellness Mama » Blog » Beauty » Natural Homemade Sunscreen Recipe

In the book Zero to One, Peter Thiel asks readers to consider what views/truths they believe that very few people agree with them on. For me, it’s that most sunscreen does not help avoid skin cancer and may actually increase the chances of it! This is one of the reasons I’ve been making homemade sunscreen for years (even though I rarely use it).

Sound crazy?

Sunburn is harmful… we all agree on that and it should absolutely be avoided. But sunscreen isn’t the only way to avoid it.

It’s definitely not a popular opinion, and I’m certainly not encouraging you to avoid wearing sunscreen or to ignore the advice of your doctor. I am, however, encouraging you to do your own research, look at the actual studies, and use common sense when it comes to sun exposure.

Why Make Homemade Sunscreen?

I explain in full my stance on sunscreen here, but here’s why I decided to try making my own years ago.

Avoid Hormone-Disrupting Chemicals

In the years since sunscreen use began, skin cancer rates have risen. Many reports show that most commercial sunscreens actually raise skin cancer risk. This might be due in part to the fact that many sunscreens contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as oxybenzone. Oxybenzone is a known hormone disruptor that isn’t recommended for use on children. It’s been banned in many locations worldwide.

A 2020 study looked at several different active ingredients in sunscreen products. While they did offer SPF protection, chemicals like avobenzone are absorbed into the bloodstream, even after one use.

My DIY sunscreen recipe relies on a physical mineral barrier that stays on the skin’s surface. It doesn’t penetrate through as most synthetic chemical sunscreens do.

There are many more mineral sunscreens with safer ingredients on the market now than when I first started making homemade sunscreen. I’ve listed some of my favorite EWG-rated sunscreens below. That being said, you still have to read labels. Even more “natural” sunscreens can still contain problematic ingredients.

Protect the Coral Reefs

Recent research shows the ingredients in many sunscreens harm ocean life, especially coral. Researchers estimate over 5,000 metric tons of sunblock wash off of swimmers each year. This “swimmer pollution” threatens a large part of the coral life in the ocean and many other ocean species as well. This is because these compounds may awaken dormant viruses in symbiotic algae called zooxanthellae, which provide food and color to the coral.

Some sunscreen ingredients have even been banned in some places due to their negative environmental effects on the coral reefs. This natural sunscreen recipe avoids all such ingredients.

The Vitamin D Factor

Also, our bodies need some exposure to the sun to make vitamin D, a necessary building block for hormone function. Combine vitamin D deficiency with hormone-disrupting sunscreen ingredients like oxybenzone and is it any wonder some of us are concerned?

I don’t buy the idea that even moderate sun exposure is harmful when our bodies need vitamin D and light exposure for so many aspects of health. Getting some of the sun’s rays every day is an important part of my daily routine. I also take astaxanthin daily to help protect my skin from the inside out (read why here).

Looking at these reasons, it makes sense to ask if sunscreen is the best or only way to avoid sunburn.

Is Homemade Sunscreen Dangerous?

Several recent articles claim that homemade sunscreens are harmful and you should never make your own sunscreen. This is because the FDA tightly regulates and verifies the SPF protection of commercial sunscreens. Since you can’t verify the SPF of homemade sunscreens, the chance of burning is higher.

I certainly agree that homemade sunscreens don’t have the lab testing that conventional ones do. But you know what else they don’t have? Endocrine disruptors and coral-killing compounds. Also, sunscreen should be a last resort as shade and getting out of the sun’s UV rays in the heat of the day are better options anyway.

So while maybe we shouldn’t use homemade sunscreens like conventional ones, I’d also argue we shouldn’t use conventional sunscreens in the way we do either!

Bottom Line: Use common sense and get safe sun exposure. The amount and safety will vary by person. I recommend doing your own research and talking to a knowledgeable naturopath or dermatologist to figure out what works best for you.

A Common Sense Approach to Sun

In most cases, my approach is to get adequate but moderate daily sun exposure, without getting close to burning. Since most of us don’t work outside these days, it takes effort to get daily sun, rather than to avoid it. I definitely don’t slather on the coral-destroying sunscreen on the off chance I might encounter a few stray rays of sunlight, and in fact, I welcome it!

Thanks to Nutrition Genome Testing, I know that I have mutations that make it very difficult to get enough vitamin D. This puts me at risk for a lot of serious diseases, and supplements don’t work very well to raise my levels. For this reason, my doctor advised me to get adequate vitamin D… from natural sun exposure.

Of course, there’s a limit to how much sun a person needs or should get. Here’s what I do when I reach this limit:

Use the Shade or Cover Up

If I’m going to be out in the sun for much longer than my skin is used to, it’s easy enough to put on a hat or shirt to shield my skin. This is the approach that the Environmental Working Group (EWG) recommends. It’s more effective at stopping excess sun exposure, costs less, and doesn’t harm the environment. A common sense win/win scenario.

Use Natural Sunscreen When Needed

If I’m going to be in intense sun and can’t easily cover up, I will very occasionally use a natural sunscreen. I’ve yet to use it this year and hope not to at all, but I’m sharing my recipe (and the healthiest options for store-bought sunscreens).

Important Note: Unlike most sunscreens, natural and homemade sunscreens may not be as waterproof or have as high (or broad spectrum) SPF. Homemade versions may not protect as fully against UVA and UVB rays. I am not recommending entirely avoiding sunscreen or getting too much sun which could lead to sunburn or sun damage.

Support Skin From the Inside Out

Sun exposure itself isn’t the only factor linked to skin cancer. Many nutritional factors, such as optimal vitamin D levels or even reducing harmful omega-6 vegetable oils, can have a big impact on skin health. Getting enough antioxidants in our diet from colorful fruits and veggies also plays a big role. See this post for how I optimize my diet and supplements for healthy skin and improved sun tolerance.

Natural Sunscreen SPF

This homemade sunscreen uses a blend of waxes, butter, and oils to make a moisturizing base. The main ingredient for natural SPF (sun protection factor) though is zinc oxide. It acts as a barrier on the skin to block harmful UV rays. Non-nano and uncoated zinc oxide is the healthiest option for skincare.

My homemade sunscreen also uses skin-nourishing and moisturizing antioxidant ingredients for even more skin protection. These include red raspberry seed oil, carrot seed oil, and vitamin E.

The final version will have a varied sun protective ability depending on the amount of each ingredient used. This recipe uses about 10% zinc oxide which is roughly a 6-11 SPF. If you want an SPF of around 20, then double the zinc oxide. Keep in mind it hasn’t been tested by a regulatory organization for exact SPF.

For a simple version, even just coconut oil and shea butter with some zinc oxide or a little raspberry seed and carrot seed oil will work for moderate exposure.

As always check with your doctor or dermatologist before using any new products.

NOTE: This is an improved recipe since many people were having trouble getting the temperatures exactly right to get the lotion to emulsify (as per the comments below). This recipe shouldn’t have any of those issues!

Optional Essential Oils

You can add some skin-safe essential oils here for added benefits and scent. Be sure to avoid any phototoxic oils, as these can cause serious skin burns if used before sun exposure. Common phototoxic oils include:

  • bergamot
  • bitter orange (wild or sweet orange are fine)
  • cold-pressed lemon (steam-distilled is ok)
  • cold-pressed lime oil (steam-distilled is ok)
  • grapefruit (experts are mixed on this one)

Do not use the above essential oils for sunscreen! Some better options include lavender, frankincense, sweet orange, or sandalwood.

homemade sunscreen
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4.13 from 270 votes

Homemade Sunscreen Recipe

Make your own sunscreen at home with natural ingredients and avoid the chemicals in commercial brands. Make sure to check out the notes at the end of the recipe for tips.
Prep Time5 minutes
Active Time10 minutes
Cooling time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: 10 ounces
Author: Katie Wells

Equipment

Materials

Instructions

  • Combine all the ingredients except zinc oxide in a pint-sized or larger glass jar. You can also use a double boiler instead of a jar.
  • Fill a medium saucepan with a few inches of water and place on the stove over medium heat.
  • Put a lid loosely on the jar and place it in the pan with the water.
  • Stir occasionally to mix the ingredients as they melt.
  • When all the ingredients are completely melted, stir in the zinc oxide. This will take some stirring to incorporate.
  • Pour into whatever jar or tin you’ll use for storage.
  • Stir a few times as it cools to make sure the zinc oxide is incorporated.
  • Store at room temperature or in the refrigerator to increase shelf life.

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.
  • Store in a cool, dry place or in the fridge. I prefer to store it in a small canning jar and apply it like 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!

An Even Faster Way to Make Sunscreen

This easy recipe just takes two ingredients. While there’s no exact SPF guarantee, it should yield about 20 SPF.

  • 1/2 cup of your favorite lotion (that doesn’t have phototoxic oils!)
  • 2 Tablespoons of non-nano zinc oxide
  • Mix well

You can also make sunscreen bars with many of the same ingredients!

Store-Bought Natural Sunscreens

Not Interested in DIY? I’ve gotten numerous questions over the years about pre-made sunscreen options for those who don’t have the time or desire to make their own. I list my favorite store-bought brands in this post.

Does your family regularly use sunscreen? Do you try to get regular sun exposure? Leave a comment and let us know!

This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Scott Soerries, MD, Family Physician and Medical Director of SteadyMD. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.

Get sun protection without the toxins with homemade sunscreen. Made with coconut oil, shea butter, non-nano zinc oxide and other natural ingredients.
Sources
  1. Matta M. et al. (2020, January 21). Effect of Sunscreen Application on Plasma Concentration of Sunscreen Active Ingredients: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2020;323(3):256–267.
  2. Ortenzi, T. (2011, November 17). Sunscreens With Vitamin A May Accelerate Skin Cancer: FDA Knows Danger, Doesn’t Report. Huffington Post.
  3. Hall, D. (N.D.). The Truth About Corals and Sunscreen. Smithsonian Ocean.
  4. Moulite, M (2018, July 3). Hawaii bans sunscreens that harm coral reefs. CNN.
  5. Roach, S. (2016, July 11). The Truth About Phototoxic Essential Oils and How to Use Them Safely. The Herbal Academy.

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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

987 responses to “Natural Homemade Sunscreen Recipe”

  1. Dee Avatar

    Hi
    I tried this recipe last year for a long haul sun holiday and again this year when I went to St Lucia in May. I think St Lucia was the hottest for the majority of the day so this sunblock was definitely put to the test there.
    On both occasions it worked fantastically. How do I know? Because while in St Lucia I decided to nip to the nearby shops after breakfast and hadn’t put my sunblock on as I thought I wasn’t going far and the sun wasn’t at its peak at that time. I set off walking and after 5 minutes could feel my left arm getting hot in my Sleeveless vest top I attempted to cover it with my right hand but my hand started to heat up. I quickly realised I wasn’t going to get very far without burning so I returned to base and applied this sunblock and carrying a scarf I set off again and this time I made it to the shops and back with no discomfort at all. After my holiday I also used the remainder of this sunblock as a daily moisturiser because the beeswax in the lotion felt beautiful on my skin.

  2. Andie Brown Avatar
    Andie Brown

    Hi, I made this sunscreen and love it however I find it very thick and a little tricky to apply, can I melt down my current batch and add more oils or should I just make a new batch with less beeswax?

    1. Jamie Larrison Avatar

      You could try a new batch and replace some of the beeswax with more of the sweet almond oil. If you melt it down and add more oil it would reduce the percentage of zinc oxide and it may not work as well as a sun protectant.

  3. Lydia Avatar

    What would the shelf life be on this please? New to sunscreen making and wasn’t sure of it lasts say a month or do I need to keep it chilled? But what about when at beach?

    Many thanks

    1. Jamie Larrison Avatar

      It should last about a year if stored away from extreme light and heat. Since sunscreen is often used in warmer weather, the oils will likely oxidize faster, but it should at least last the summer. You can always keep it in a small cooler at the beach.

  4. Sheree Howell Avatar
    Sheree Howell

    5 stars
    This worked great on several vacation weekends with the family and a day on the golf course. From my 76 yo mom to my 2 yo ginger grandson, it worked! We did have to reapply while spending time in the water or sweating heavily but my mom and I were impressed and will be making it again. Thank you for sharing the recipe!
    My dh did get a good laugh when I first reapplied to my face but the white powdered look became barely noticable in a few minutes as the oils melted and absorbed on my skin.

  5. Kim Avatar

    Health Canada is advising against the use of home-made sunscreen.
    I trust medical professionals over someone posting DIY tips online.

  6. Linda B Avatar
    Linda B

    I am loving this sunblock! I have a young friend that cannot have coconut oil, is there an alternative option? She has many health issues and reacts to a lot of things, one being coconut oil.

  7. Regina Avatar
    Regina

    5 stars
    Hi I love this recipe and I use mine everyday but I just a wanted to know if you know the spf on this?

  8. Samantha Avatar
    Samantha

    Hi I was looking at non nano zinc powder to order online. I found some that are cheaper than the one one you listed. However it is not pharmaceutical grade. My question is does it matter if it is pharmaceutical grade, or not? Or are there things that I should look for specifically to make sure that they are in or listed on the label for the non nano zinc powder? I hope that makes sense. Thank you!

    1. Jamie Larrison Avatar

      Pharmaceutical grade products are held to a higher standard and must meet certain guidelines for safety and purity. As long as it’s non-nano and uncoated zinc oxide though it should work.

  9. Reza Avatar

    5 stars
    How closely does one need adhere to the proportions of the ingredients. I wanted to make some, and I want to also tan – not looking for an extremely heavy SPF -but I realize that it is not tested so no way to know for sure. But how important would you describe the proportionality of the ingredients? Does the zinc oxide leave a white film on the skin?

    1. Jamie Larrison Avatar

      Zinc oxide can be more noticeable for those with darker skin tones, but it depends on the person. This sunscreen likely doesn’t have a lot of SPF protection and you’ll have to experiment to see what works best for your needs. If you’re looking for some skin protection and still want to tan, then you may want to try this tanning oil recipe. https://wellnessmama.com/beauty/sandalwood-tanning-oil/

      1. Kerry Avatar

        1 star
        Hi I just thought I would point out as you all seem to be unaware that zinc oxide although it is a safe in it’s natural state when it co es into contact with uv rays it changes it’s chemical make up and becomes highly toxic and carcinogenic. This is what all the hype lately as been regarding sun cream and how it is bad for you. Look it up and read the scientific papers for yourself. I have been looking for sun cream without any of the nasties in and have so far only found one called tropic but it is extremely expensive at £25 for only 15 ml that would probably only suffice one use of the body.

        1. Jamie Larrison Avatar

          I did find a 2021 study, Zinc oxide-induced changes to sunscreen ingredient efficacy and toxicity under UV irradiation. In this study though they tested different mixtures of small molecule UV filters like avobenzone, which is known to degrade under sunlight anyway unless stabilized by the chemical octocrylene. The zinc oxide was added to other chemical mixtures, it wasn’t tested on its own here. So the concern is that using certain sunscreen chemicals and zinc oxide together may be harmful. The tests were also done on zebra fish embryos, not human skin, so there are some limitations there.

  10. noor yahya Avatar
    noor yahya

    hello, i have a queston , i live in a country that has a strong sun but no zinc oxide powder in the markets or anywhere else LOL, so can i use 15% of zinc oxide cream or ointment inside the recipe ?

    1. Jamie Larrison Avatar

      You could try it but I’m not sure how it would work or how much sun protection it would offer. There’s a link to zinc oxide powder you can purchase online in the recipe.

  11. Erika Avatar

    5 stars
    Hi Katie, I have a question about the last batch of this sunscreen I made. Really pleased with the results and haven’t had a sunburn with it. However, this last batch I made turned bright yellow a week after making it. I’ve kept it refrigerated so that shouldn’t be the issue. So you think maybe it has bacteria in it and that’s what caused it to turn yellow? Is it still safe to use or should I just make a new batch? Never had a batch turn yellow until this one. When I say yellow, it’s a bright yellow almost like a fluorescent yellow. Appreciate your input on this issue!! Other than that, this has been a great sunscreen that doesn’t make my immune system flare up with inflammation and eczema! Thanks for posting this recipe!

    1. Jamie Larrison Avatar

      It’s hard to say why it turned bright yellow, but it would probably be best to make a new batch since the sunscreen should be white.

    2. Jade Avatar

      Depending on what oil you use, it can have a yellow-ish cast. I used olive oil (100% Italian EVOO) and it has a really dark green color- therefore, my sunscreen has a yellow color to it. And also, beeswax has a yellow color as well! Just a thought 🙂

  12. Felicia Avatar
    Felicia

    Hi – I just made this sunscreen and I am having a hard time washing the jar that I made it in. The really hot water doesn’t melt whatever is remaining in the jar, which seems odd. Any suggestions? Also I was thinking that if it is so hard to wash out of the jar wouldn’t it be hard to come off the body?

    1. Jamie Larrison Avatar

      Beeswax has a melting point of about 147 degrees F so simply using hot water from the sink won’t wash it off. You can heat the jar and then use a paper towel to get the excess wax and oils off before using hot, soapy water to remove the rest of the oil and wax residue. This recipe does provide a protective layer on the skin, but it will wash off and eventually need reapplied.

  13. Carelle Avatar
    Carelle

    You said somewhere I can mix equal zinc with my moisturizer. Should I use powder or cream zinc and what’s the ratios please .

  14. Maggie Roberts Avatar
    Maggie Roberts

    Hey,
    I’m assuming this is safe for pregnant women? Seems pretty clear of all chemicals. Just wanted to confirm. Thank you. I look forward to trying it.

    1. Jamie Larrison Avatar

      The ingredients are generally considered safe during pregnancy, except for the essential oils. It depends on which ones are used, what trimester someone is in, and the amount used. To be on the safe side they can be omitted during pregnancy. You can always consult your midwife if you have any concerns or questions about the ingredients.

  15. Kirsten Avatar
    Kirsten

    5 stars
    I haven’t made this YET, I got all the ingredients though. But before I start I’m wondering if there is a reason that coconut oil isn’t an alternative to the sweet almond/olive/avocado oil? I don’t want to make it if it won’t be as effective but I imagine the coconut oil may also prevent the zinc oxide from sinking like other comments had stated??

    1. Jamie Larrison Avatar

      Since coconut oil is solid at room temperature and melts in the heat (like when taken to the beach) using only coconut oil as the oil would create a sunscreen that doesn’t hold up well to moderate temperature changes. If you stir the sunscreen as it cools this works well to keep the zinc oxide mixed in.

4.13 from 270 votes (222 ratings without comment)

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