You can almost make anything at home if you really put your mind to it, get all of the right ingredients, and find a really awesome DIY recipe. Yes, it takes some time, and yes, it can get a little messy, but the end result is usually worth it and something you can feel really proud of!
You get to pick all of your own ingredients, make any adjustments to the recipe you want, and you can ensure you are making the best and highest quality end product possible.
Even though it may seem completely impossible, making your own sunscreen at home is a cinch and way easier than you probably think it is. It does not require a million and a half ingredients and is one of the most budget-friendly was to use a natural, organic, and healthy sunscreen.
While there are tons of great natural and organic sunscreens on the market, they can be pretty pricy, and you don’t necessarily get a lot of product for your money. Making your own sunscreen at home means you can make a large quantity with the ingredients you have. Any ingredients that you do not use for the first batch can be put towards a second batch without having to run out to the store or order new ingredients and supplies online.
In this post, we are going to give you a simple step-by-step guide for making your own sunscreen and all of the ingredients and items you will need to make this all work. Let’s get started!
Recipe and Ingredients
Ingredients
- ½ cup almond or olive oil
- ¼ cup of coconut oil
- ¼ cup beeswax
- 2 TBSP zinc oxide
- 1 tsp red raspberry seed oil
- 1 tsp carrot seed oil
- 2 TBSP shea butter
Instructions
- Combine all of the above ingredients into a glass jar of your choice, except for the zinc oxide.
- Place a small saucepan on the stove with a few inches of water in the bottom.
- Put the burner on medium heat.
- Take your glass container with the ingredients and place the lid on the top loosely.
- Put the glass container in the water.
- Use tongs or an oven mot to shake the jar from time to time t make sure all of the ingredients are melting evenly.
- Once your ingredients in the container are melted, take the jar out of the water and mix in the zinc oxide thoroughly.
- Pour the mixture into whatever type of jar you would like to store your homemade sunscreen in. glass is always the best option.
Courtesy Wellnessmama.
You can store your homemade sunscreen at room temperature, but if you want to make it last longer without going bad, you can also put it in the fridge to extend its shelf life.
Important To Remember When Using Homemade Sunscreen
When you make sunscreen at home, of course, it is going to act differently than sunscreen you purchase at the store. This sunscreen is not going to be waterproof, so you need to make sure you reapply after being in the water or sweating a lot as it is not waterproof or sweatproof.
This sunscreen will also not be as powerful as the sunscreen you may buy from a company that makes sunscreen. Even though the ingredients in the recipe have their own SPF levels, there is no way to fully know what the final SPF number of your homemade sunscreen is going to be.
As always, you need to use caution when you are in the sun and reapply sunscreen from time to time. You should never stay in the sun for extremely long periods of time. Seeking shade and making sure to limit sun exposure is always the best way to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays.
If you are not ready to make your own sunscreen at home and want something that is easy to use and will protect you from the sun, check out this review on 100% Pure’s Yerba Mate Mist. They use the best and most natural ingredients possible and there is not a single ingredient in their formula you have to worry about using on your body!
In the end, if you really want to control what you are putting in your sunscreen and rubbing all over your body, trying to make your own sunscreen at home is a great and fun option. Grab all of the ingredients the make this recipe and see how it works for your skin!
Is Zinc Oxide Safe?
Zinc Oxide is an all-natural ingredient occurring as the mineral zincite. It can be found in most conventional and natural/organic sunscreens as it reflects UVA & UVB rays. As it is a naturally occurring mineral and does not penetrate the skin it is considered to be non-toxic and safe to use.
Several other ingredients, such as carrot seed oil and raspberry seed oil, in the above recipe, add sunscreen protection(SPF) against harmful UVB rays, but we still recommend that readers include Zinc Oxide in their sunscreen for added protection.
This article was last updated on May 6, 2022 .
What could be substituted for shea butter
There are several alternatives to shea butter that you can use in your skincare or cosmetic products. Some common substitutes include:
Cocoa butter: Cocoa butter is a solid, natural fat that is extracted from cocoa beans. It is rich in antioxidants and has a similar consistency to shea butter, making it a good alternative for use in creams, lotions, and other skincare products.
Mango butter: Mango butter is a natural fat extracted from mango seeds. It is rich in vitamins A, C, and E, and has a similar consistency to shea butter. It is often used as a substitute for shea butter in creams, lotions, and other skincare products.
Almond oil: Almond oil is a lightweight oil that is easily absorbed by the skin. It is rich in vitamins and minerals, and can be used as a substitute for shea butter in skincare products.
Avocado oil: Avocado oil is a rich, moisturizing oil that is extracted from avocados. It is high in fatty acids and can be used as a substitute for shea butter in skincare products.
Coconut oil: Coconut oil is a solid, natural fat that is extracted from coconuts. It is rich in fatty acids and has a similar consistency to shea butter, making it a good alternative for use in creams, lotions, and other skincare products.
It’s important to keep in mind that each of these substitutes will have its own unique properties and may not work equally well in all applications. It’s always a good idea to test a small amount of any substitute before using it in a larger batch of product.