When I was pregnant with my first child I started taking a close look at not only what I was putting in my body, but also what I put on my body. I spent a day researching all of my current products (shampoos, lotions, sunscreens, makeup and hair products) through the Skin Deep website and was shocked to find so many with high toxicity ratings. I immediately threw out my toxic products and purchased new products with low toxicity ratings. While I felt great about the changes I did not feel wonderful about the price tag. Ugh, so many products that are safer for you are so expensive! How frustrating! My solution was to get rid of the products I didn’t really need and make the rest. I shared my recipe for Homemade Bug Spray and now I am excited to share my Homemade Sunscreen! Added bonus: leave out the zinc oxide in the recipe and you have your new favorite lotion!
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WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE HOMEMADE SUNSCREEN
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3/4 cup coconut oil (found with other oils in the supermarket)
1/4 cup beeswax (I like the beeswax pellets because they melt fast. You can purchase here.
2 tablespoon cocoa butter (you can sometimes find this at your supermarket or purchase here.
2 tablespoon zinc oxide (purchase here
NOTE: Because you have to buy some of these ingredients in bulk the starting price is high. Don’t worry these products last for years. Save money by splitting the costs with friends and making some batches together.
In a glass jar (I use old jelly jars) or bowl combine coconut oil, beeswax and cocoa butter). Note: do not use a container that you will use for food. Mason jars work well because you can keep the sunscreen in them.
Microwave for 1 minute and stir. Be careful the jar will be hot. If not completely melted microwave for thirty more seconds.
Add two tablespoons of zinc oxide and stir. Zinc oxide is safe when applied to skin but should not be inhaled in powder form. You can be extra careful by wearing a mask. Let cool and then stir again to make sure zinc oxide is completely combined.
Once cool your sunscreen is ready for use. This recipe provides approximately SPF 30. You can alter the SPF by putting in more or less zinc oxide. This is water resistant, but you should still make sure to reapply after swimming. You can leave your sunscreen in the jar or put in a plastic container for easier travel.
Happy Summer!
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