Homemade Sandalwood Tanning Oil

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Wellness Mama » Blog » Beauty » Homemade Sandalwood Tanning Oil

I’ve used a variation of this homemade tanning oil for years. When a friend recently asked about a natural homemade tanning oil, I figured it was time to share the recipe.

I do occasionally use my homemade sunscreen if I’m going to be out in the sun for a long time. In general though, I prefer to get the free vitamin D from its source via moderate sun exposure. I prefer to eat my sunscreen rather than slather it on my skin…

Sometimes I’m at the beach (which is a lot now we live near one!) or somewhere where I can alternate between sun exposure or the shade of an umbrella and a good book. Here I prefer to just use natural oils that nourish and slightly protect my skin without blocking vitamin D. Unlike many sunscreens do).

DIY Tanning Oil

Though many of my recipes are solid like lotion bars or body butters, this one is a liquid oil. It makes it easier to use when on the go. If you prefer a more solid recipe, you can absolutely make this with virgin coconut oil that hardens at 76 degrees and store it in a small jar.

Sun Protective Natural Ingredients

This is where things get a little controversial and murky. Over a decade ago researchers tested raspberry seed oil and other natural oils to determine their SPF values. The test results showed amazing SPF values of 25 SPF or even up to 50 SPF against UV rays.

However, more recently scientists have pointed out the flaws in these studies. They were done in vitro (not on actual skin) and didn’t follow commonly accepted SPF test guidelines.

A 2021 study found raspberry seed oil is more like 2.6 SPF (not 25-50). Other tested oils included carrot seed, coconut, and wheat germ oils ranged from 0 to 2.8 SPF. The researchers commented that anything below 1 SPF wasn’t providing any sun protection at all.

Another 2010 study looked at the SPF of both carrier oils and essential oils. The carrier oils ranged from 2 to 8 SPF, and essential oils from 1 to 7 SPF. Olive oil and peppermint essential oil scored the highest. But not so fast! This study wasn’t done on human skin and even the authors state their results didn’t nail down final SPF values when used on skin.

Carrot seed oil skin product tests showed an SPF value of almost 7. However, the carrot seed oil was combined with other ingredients for testing.

So is there such a thing as natural SPF oils to help with a safe tanning process?

A Safer Tanning Lotion

While some of the oils used here may or may not have slight measurable SPF protection, they do have other skin benefits. When combined in a homemade tanning oil oil they help to protect and nourish the skin and assist in vitamin D production. It’s important to note that these are not a substitute for regular sunscreen.

  • Olive Oil – Has oleic acid that supports clearer skin and phytosterols to attract moisture. It helps repair sun damage and soothes dry skin. It also has high levels of squalene that protect our skin cells and have anti-aging properties. Olive oil has been traditionally used in Mediterranean countries as a natural skin protectant for a dark tan.
  • Avocado Oil – Rich in vitamins A, B, and E, proteins, and amino acids. It increases skin’s collagen. Avocado oil is also high in UV-protectant carotenoids to help protect against sun damage.
  • Carrot Seed Oil – High in vitamin A beta-carotene and vitamin E to protect against UV rays. This is NOT the same as macerated carrot root oil (which is orange) or carrot seed essential oil. Cold-pressed carrot seed oil is naturally a dark green color and looks more like olive oil.
  • Raspberry Seed Oil – High in antioxidant vitamins E and A. Raspberry is also a lighter oil that doesn’t feel greasy when applied.

I also added bronze mica powder for a subtle bronze glow, but you can omit this if you don’t have it or don’t want to use it.

Adding Essential Oils

I used some lavender and sandalwood essential oils for their skin benefits and scent. Indian sandalwood smells sweeter, but Australian sandalwood is more affordable. Because sandalwood is at risk of becoming endangered though it’s important to buy from an ethically harvested source!

You can use different essential oils here or omit them altogether if desired. If you do swap them out for a different essential oil it’s really important to not use phototoxic ones! Certain essential oils like bergamot and cold-pressed lime and lemon can cause really bad skin burns if used before sun exposure.

Important: Sun Exposure Safety

This is not a sunscreen, but a mild sun-protectant recipe. It’s important to test with small amounts of time in the sun to find what works best for your body and skin type. I’m sharing what worked best for me, but tweak it to fit your skin type and desired result.

Of course, all of the usual disclaimers apply: sunburn is never healthy and should absolutely be avoided. You should not spend long periods in the sun, especially if you have very sensitive skin.

If you’re unable to tan, this recipe will not magically help you tan. I’m NOT advocating regular tanning in an electric bed, and only use this for moderate and natural sun exposure. Check with a dermatologist if you’re unsure about any of these ingredients or want to know if this recipe is specifically good for your skin.

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Homemade Tanning Oil Recipe

This nourishing and natural tanning oil is easy to make and smells amazing! Get a sun-kissed glow and a darker tan when used with moderate (and safe) sun exposure.
Prep Time3 minutes
Total Time3 minutes
Author: Katie Wells

Materials

Instructions

  • Mix all oils and mica powder (if using) and store in a dark-colored glass container. If you decide to substitute coconut oil for olive oil, store it in a jar instead, as it won’t work with a pump.

Notes

I use this as needed for mild sun exposure and it’s helped me get a golden tan without burning.

Do you use tanning oil? Ready to try a natural version?

This natural tanning oil uses oils with a natural SPF like olive, avocado, raspberry seed and carrot seed with natural bronzers.
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

70 responses to “Homemade Sandalwood Tanning Oil”

  1. Hannah Avatar

    If you want a tiny bit more SPF, could you add zinc oxide to this oil?

  2. Lauren Avatar

    How much time do you have to spend in the sun for it to work? Will it still work if there are days you don’t get outside?

  3. Tiffany Avatar
    Tiffany

    Lavender causes phototoxicity (rashes on the skin when exposed to the sun). I probably wouldn’t recommend that for a sunscreen spray recipe.

  4. Lesa D Avatar
    Lesa D

    While I am with you on natural alternatives for everything, there is NO substantiating evidence that Red Raspberry or Carrot Seed Oil have ANY SPF properties. I implore you to cite your proof. Rather I would suggest you ask your users to use clear titanium or zinc oxide powders to give you more legitimate protection.

    1. linda Avatar

      Whilst there may indeed remain a dearth of research promoting Red Raspberry and Carrot Seed Oils, it does not after all benefit big pharma or industry to investigate anything it cannot patent and/or rake in a profit from, that against the use of titanium dioxide is growing. Bearing in mind that the ideas here are about finding ways of getting through life whilst causing the least harm to ourselves and/or the environment that supports us, I think I’ll stick with the seeds for now.

      I would imagine (I have a very good imagination) that you are already aware that sunscreen works by blocking the sun’s access to our skin thus minimises production of vitamin D and is the major factor responsible for the epidemic proportions of vitamin D deficiencies now being seen. What you might not be aware of is that natural SPF oils act as topical antioxidants so, whilst we get our full dose of sunshine vitamin, they work with our own biologies to quell the free radicle damage of uv rays – win-win, isn’t life wonderful.

  5. Beverly VanReenan Avatar
    Beverly VanReenan

    I was just looking for a natural tanning oil and this dropped into my inbox today. I had most of the ingredients on hand and added the missing ones to my early morning shopping list. Since the essential oils are for fragrance only, I substituted with orange and bergamot oils. What perfect timing and a great DIY for tanning oil. Thanks so much for sharing this.

  6. Yolanda Avatar
    Yolanda

    So this Tanning oil does not help you get a tan right? Thanks

  7. Rhoya Avatar

    Hi Katie- how much of the bronze mica powder do you mix in with this? Thanks!

  8. Dana Taylor Avatar
    Dana Taylor

    So glad i found this site! Thank you so much! -Dana Taylor

  9. Hannah Avatar
    Hannah

    Thank you for this blog!! I really appreciate all you share. Your response to some of the critical comments were so gracious and kind..part of the reason I follow you. Thank you for sharing what you learn!!

  10. Christine Joseph-Davies Avatar
    Christine Joseph-Davies

    Hi Found your site by accident and love it! Thanks for all the info. …Have you ever made a lotion for tightening skin? My arms are getting flabby! Just wondering and hoping you have and can share?
    Many thanks.

  11. Diana Avatar

    Hi, I love your recipes and Thanks for sharing , Idont have rasberry seed oil so what is a good substitute and u would like a spf of about 30 what do you suggest? Thank you

  12. Kelsey Avatar

    Can I use fractionated coconut oil in place of olive oil? Can I swap the avocado oil with olive oil?

  13. celine Avatar
    celine

    Hi,

    I really like your website but tagging these oils with SPF factors that aren’t clinically proven is very misleading. I believe you should explain that those ingredients are very mild UV protectors, but tagging them ‘SPF#’ is simply erroneous information that jeopardizes the credibility of your recipes.
    Again, I really enjoy your website, but please make sure your info is as accurate as possible and backed up scientifically when possible !

    Cheers,

    Céline

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar

      These ingredients are known to have a natural SPF but I agree that they are low SPF and not comparable to regular sunscreen. I’ve added a note to the post to make this more clear.

      1. celine Avatar
        celine

        awesome, thank you ! Also, I was wondering if you have a coupon code for Mountain Rose Herbs ? I plan to buy a bunch of things …
        Cheers,
        Céline

    2. linda Avatar

      I’m sorry but are we on the same page here? The one wherein Katie discusses making a sunscreen to *nourish and slightly protect* her own skin – one that isn’t going to block the sun she needs access to so she can still make vitamin D through her skin? Given the context, does ‘slightly’ not correlate to ‘mild’ the world over?
      The SPFs quoted have been proven in one way or another, for example https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3140123/. Thus there is nothing any more misleading in the information above than there is in claims made for ‘clinically proven’ SPFs of chemically enhanced shop products, all of which have historically failed to stipulate the depth to which they need to be applied in order to achieve the so claimed SPF.
      Let’s face it, the panic evinced by bringing those high SPF creams onto the market and consequential erosion of the sensible habits of our forefathers has contributed to worldwide deficiencies in vitamin D and increases in skin cancers. Thank goodness natural products are not comparable to regular sunscreen, perhaps now we can get back to respecting our environment.
      Katie what possibly needed clarifying judging from comments, if anything at all, was that mixing SPF 35 oil and SPF 8 oil results in a lower final SPF not the higher 43 you’d get by adding the numbers together.

  14. Adeline Avatar
    Adeline

    Hi! Thank you for sharing this recipe!
    I just have one doubt!… I thought that it was the carrot infused oil (also called ‘macerate oil’) that was useful as a tanner… What is the difference with the carrot seed essential oil?!? In terms of properties I mean! Thanks

  15. joanna jones Avatar
    joanna jones

    I know you don’t advocate tanning beds BUT can you use this in a tanning bed? Do you have a tanning bed vs sun article or something I can read as well?

  16. Christine Avatar
    Christine

    Hi Katie. Thank you so much for a recipe for a tanner, exactly what I was looking for to make with my other DIY products before our beach trip. I don’t have sandalwood though. Is there anything that I can sub for that or just omit it? Young Living Sandalwood is pricey! On the list one day. Thanks so much.

  17. Anna Avatar

    Hi,

    would be be a good idea to add a tablespoon of zinc oxide to increase SPF, or it would not work?

    thanks

  18. Maggie Avatar

    As a question, how did you determine the ratio of the raspberry and carrot seed oils to add to the recipe? I wanted to know since that would determine how protective the oil ends up being. Thanks!

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