Curious how to create your own sunscreen at home? Here you go! Learn how to make homemade sunscreen using safe, natural ingredients, offering both effectiveness and simplicity. We’re so excited about the beach that we use sea salt spray for hair and sometimes forget to pickup sunscreen. Make it yourself with non-toxic ingredients that are great for the budget too.
In a Nutshell
- Making your own sunscreen helps you avoid harmful chemicals, saves money, and gives you healthier options
- Zinc oxide is the key ingredient for an effective homemade sunscreen, providing broad-spectrum protection; the amount used dictates the SPF level.
- Proper storage is crucial for homemade sunscreen’s effectiveness, and it usually lasts about six months when kept in a cool, dry place.
Why Make Your Own Sunscreen?
Creating your own sunscreen provides numerous advantages beyond mere sun protection. One of the primary attractions is the ability to avoid harmful chemicals found in many commercial sunscreens. When you control the ingredients, you ensure a safer product for your skin and overall health.
Moreover, affordability is another enticing reason to make your own sunscreen. High-quality store-bought sunscreens can be expensive, but making your own sunscreen can significantly reduce this cost without compromising on quality. Plus, the ingredients for homemade sunscreen are often items you might already have around the house, making it even more budget-friendly.
Additionally, we shouldn’t underestimate the environmental benefit of homemade sunscreen. Chemical sunscreens contribute to harmful chemical runoff that damages marine life, particularly coral reefs. By making your own sunscreen, you’re taking a step towards reducing this pollution and protecting our oceans.
Avoiding Harmful Chemicals
Many conventional sunscreens typically contain high concentrations of harmful chemicals. Ingredients like oxybenzone and parabens are commonly found in commercial sunscreens and have been linked to various health issues. Oxybenzone, for instance, is known to penetrate the skin and cause allergic reactions and hormone disruptions.
Parabens, another common ingredient, can wreak havoc on your hormonal balance, affecting fertility and reproductive organs and even increasing the risk of cancer. By making your own sunscreen, you can avoid these toxic ingredients and opt for safer, natural alternatives such as:
- Zinc oxide
- Titanium dioxide
- Coconut oil
- Shea butter
- Almond oil
- Beeswax
Moreover, homemade sunscreens allow you to incorporate beneficial essential oils and natural ingredients that not only provide sun protection but also nourish your skin. This way, you can enjoy the sun without worrying about the potential side effects of conventional sunscreens.
Cost Savings
The significant cost savings is a major draw of DIY sunscreen. High-quality commercial sunscreens can be quite pricey, but making your own can save you a significant amount of money.
The ingredients for homemade sunscreen are usually inexpensive and can be bought in bulk, leading to even more savings over time.
Understanding SPF in Homemade Sunscreens
When making your own sunscreen, it’s vital to understand what SPF, or Sun Protection Factor, means. SPF measures how well a sunscreen can block UVB rays, which are the primary cause of sunburn. It also helps determine how long you can stay in the sun without burning, based on your skin type.
One common challenge with homemade sunscreen is achieving a uniform SPF. Unlike commercial sunscreens, DIY sunscreens can sometimes fall short of the expected SPF levels. However, by carefully measuring and mixing your ingredients, you can achieve effective sun protection.
In homemade sunscreens, the amount of zinc oxide used is crucial in controlling the SPF. Zinc oxide, a mineral, offers broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays. It is effective for shielding the skin from harmful sun exposure. The more zinc oxide you add, the higher the SPF will be.
What is SPF?
SPF, short for Sun Protection Factor, assesses how effectively a sunscreen shields the skin from UVB rays that are responsible for sunburn. The higher the SPF number, the greater the level of protection. For example, SPF 15 blocks about 93% of UVB rays, while SPF 30 blocks 97%.
The FDA recommends using broad-spectrum sunscreens with an SPF of at least 15 for adequate protection. While natural oils like coconut and olive oil do offer some level of sun protection, they are not sufficient on their own and should be used in conjunction with other ingredients for optimal SPF.
How Much Zinc Oxide to Use
The SPF level of your homemade sunscreen is determined by how much zinc oxide you include. You can achieve low to moderate protection by adding 5-15% of the lotion’s weight in zinc oxide. This will help in providing some level of protection against the sun’s harmful rays. For higher protection, aim for around 20%.
It’s important to note that adding too much zinc oxide can result in a very thick, white paste that may be difficult to spread. Therefore, finding the right balance is key to making an effective and user-friendly sunscreen.
Essential Ingredients for Homemade Sunscreen
Choosing the correct ingredients is key when making homemade sunscreen. The essential components include:
- Zinc oxide
- Carrier oils
- Butters
- Waxes
Each of these ingredients plays a vital role in providing sun protection and skin nourishment.
In homemade sunscreen, zinc oxide is the primary ingredient that offers natural SPF. This product functions as a physical barrier on the skin. It reflects harmful UV rays to protect the skin from damage. Not only do carrier oils like coconut and avocado oil moisturize the skin, but they also provide a degree of natural SPF.
Butters and waxes, such as shea butter and beeswax, contribute to the consistency and stability of the sunscreen while also providing additional moisturizing benefits. Optional additives like essential oils can further enhance the properties of your sunscreen.
Zinc Oxide
Zinc oxide, a naturally occurring mineral, has been employed for generations to shield against the sun. It provides broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays, making it an excellent choice for homemade sunscreens.
Non-nano zinc oxide is recommended because it stays on the skin’s surface rather than being absorbed into the bloodstream, ensuring better safety. It is also considered marine-safe, making it an eco-friendly option.
Carrier Oils
Carrier oils, with their moisturizing properties, are an essential component in homemade sunscreen recipes. Popular choices include sweet almond oil, avocado oil, and olive oil, all of which deeply nourish the skin.
Coconut oil is particularly beneficial as it blocks approximately 20% of harmful UV rays and helps retain skin moisture. Olive oil also adds a layer of sun protection with a natural SPF of around 7 or 8.
Butters and Waxes
Butters and waxes, such as shea butter and beeswax, have a significant role in homemade sunscreen. Shea butter provides an SPF generally between 3 and 6 and can be substituted with cocoa butter or mango butter.
Beeswax is commonly used to give the sunscreen a thicker consistency and help it adhere to the skin better. It also increases the vitamin A content, adding extra skin nourishment.
Optional Additives
You can improve the benefits of your homemade sunscreen with optional additives. Red raspberry seed oil, for example, offers protection against both UVA and UVB rays and can provide up to 50 SPF protection from UVB rays.
Carrot seed oil is another excellent additive, known for its skin nourishment properties and natural SPF between 38 and 40. Essential oils like lavender and peppermint can be added for their soothing and skin-nourishing benefits.
For those looking to make their sunscreen waterproof, adding equal amounts of carrot seed oil or raspberry seed oil can improve water resistance.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Homemade Sunscreen
The process of creating your own sunscreen can be enjoyable and fulfilling. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you create a basic, waterproof, and tinted sunscreen. Each recipe will ensure effective sun protection while being gentle on your skin and the environment.
Basic Sunscreen Recipe
To make a basic sunscreen, follow these steps:
- Start with 1 cup of lotion or body butter.
- Add 1/4 cup of non-nano zinc oxide and mix thoroughly.
- You can also add shea butter to make the sunscreen more moisturizing.
- Stir continuously as the mixture cools to ensure uniformity.
Waterproof Sunscreen Recipe
For a homemade waterproof sunscreen, combine the following ingredients:
- Sweet almond oil
- Coconut oil
- Beeswax pellets
- Non-nano zinc oxide powder
Beeswax improves water resistance and helps the sunscreen stay longer on the skin even after sweating or swimming.
Include more beeswax in the mixture to achieve the desired level of water resistance. Stir regularly as the mixture cools to ensure uniformity and prevent clumping.
Tinted Sunscreen Recipe
Tinted sunscreen can be made by adding cocoa powder to the base ingredients. This not only provides a natural glow but also minimizes the appearance of a white cast. Adjust the amount of cocoa powder according to the desired shade.
Mix the ingredients thoroughly to ensure an even tint and effective sun protection.
Storing and Shelf Life of Homemade Sunscreen
Storing your homemade sunscreen properly is crucial to maintaining its efficacy. Store the sunscreen in glass jars to avoid chemical reactions that can occur with plastic containers.
Keep it in a cool, dry place to prevent it from melting or separating.
Best Storage Practices
Ideally, keep your homemade sunscreen in a glass jar in a cool, dry location. Avoid leaving it in the car or in direct sunlight, as this can cause the ingredients to degrade. Keeping it in the refrigerator can further extend its shelf life.
Ensure the container is airtight to prevent contamination and maintain the sunscreen’s effectiveness.
Shelf Life
When stored correctly, homemade sunscreen usually has a shelf life of about six months. To extend its shelf life, you can add Vitamin E oil, which also provides additional skin benefits. It’s important to avoid getting water into the sunscreen, as this can drastically reduce its shelf life.
Be on the lookout for changes in texture, smell, or color, which can indicate that the sunscreen has gone bad and should be discarded. Storing your sunscreen in a cool, dark place or in the refrigerator can help keep it fresh for longer.
Common Issues and Troubleshooting
Despite using the best recipes and practices, you may face some common challenges while making homemade sunscreen. Clumping, separation, and the dreaded white cast are some of the problems you might face.
Fortunately, there are ways to troubleshoot these issues and ensure a smooth, effective sunscreen.
Clumping
If the zinc oxide isn’t correctly mixed into the blend, clumping can occur. To prevent this, sift the zinc oxide before adding it to your mixture and stir continuously until the sunscreen cools.
Using a fine zinc oxide powder and thoroughly mixing the ingredients can also help avoid clumps.
Separation
If the ingredients don’t bind well, separation could become an issue. Maintaining a stable temperature during mixing is crucial to prevent this. Using emulsifying wax can help bind the ingredients and maintain a stable emulsion.
A high-speed blender can also improve the stability of the mixture.
White Cast
Zinc oxide-based sunscreens often leave a common problem – a white cast. Using nano-sized zinc oxide particles can help reduce this effect, making the sunscreen more cosmetically appealing. However, if you prefer non-nano particles, make sure to blend them thoroughly to minimize the white cast.
Natural Alternatives to Homemade Sunscreen
It’s perfectly okay if you don’t have the time or the inclination to create your own sunscreen. Natural store-bought alternatives are a great option for those who want effective sun protection without harmful chemicals. Brands like Badger, Blue Lizard, and Thinksport are well-regarded for their natural sunscreen options.
Mineral Sunscreens
Zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are the main sun-filtering ingredients used in mineral sunscreens. These ingredients provide broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
Mineral sunscreens are a great alternative to homemade options, offering robust sun protection without the harmful chemicals found in many conventional sunscreens.
Broad Spectrum Options
For comprehensive skin protection and reducing the risk of skin cancer, it’s vital to use broad-spectrum sunscreens that protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Brands like Soléo Organics offer all-natural, broad-spectrum sunscreens that are free from chemicals, synthetic preservatives, and UV-absorbers.
These sunscreens are also reef-friendly, avoiding harmful chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate that cause coral bleaching.
Circling Back Around
Making your own sunscreen offers numerous benefits, including avoiding harmful chemicals, all while saving money. Understanding SPF and choosing the right ingredients is important for creating an effective product. With the step-by-step recipes provided, you can easily make basic, waterproof, and tinted sunscreens at home.
Whether you choose to make your own or opt for natural store-bought alternatives, prioritizing sun protection is important for maintaining healthy skin. So, why not give homemade sunscreen a try? Your skin and wallet will thank you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I achieve the desired SPF in homemade sunscreen?
To achieve the desired SPF in homemade sunscreen, add 5-15% of the lotion’s weight in zinc oxide for low to moderate protection, or around 20% for higher protection. Adjust accordingly based on your needs.
How long does homemade sunscreen last?
Homemade sunscreen can last for about six months when stored properly. Just make sure to keep an eye on the expiration date!
Can I make my sunscreen waterproof?
Yes, adding beeswax to your sunscreen recipe can make it more water-resistant. Enjoy your next beach day without worries!
How do I prevent clumping in homemade sunscreen?
To prevent clumping in homemade sunscreen, make sure to sift the zinc oxide before adding it to the mixture and stir continuously until the sunscreen cools. This will ensure a smooth and even consistency.
Are there natural store-bought alternatives to homemade sunscreen?
Yes, you can find natural sunscreen alternatives from brands like Badger, Blue Lizard, and Thinksport that offer effective sun protection without harmful chemicals.
Such a great idea! I love that it is homemade so you know exactly what is in it and that you can add vitamin E oil to extend the shelf life. I am going to give this a try!