Easy Homemade Sunscreen Recipe- Natural Broad Spectrum SPF

This homemade sunscreen recipe is so easy to make, and the best part is that it works! It protects from UVA and UVB rays without any toxic and harmful chemicals. I have given away several 4 oz jars to friends for testing and everyone is impressed with just how effective it is!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission with no extra cost to you. See full disclosure here.

The worst part of beach trips, pool days, cruise vacations, and lake days for me is picking between the toxic sunscreen options in stores, hiding from the sun all day, or just accepting the burn and soaking in aloe later.

So while on the hunt for the most natural, but effective sunscreen I could find, my conclusion was that I simply had to make my own. It was surprisingly extremely easy and one batch lasted all summer even with frequent visits to the splash pad, beach, pool for our family of 5!

Table of Contents

What is the difference between UVA and UVB?
What is wrong with store bought sunscreen?
About the Ingredients
SPF of the ingredients
How is SPF calculated?
Does homemade sunscreen work?
Is DIY sunscreen safe?
How to make natural sunscreen?
How to store homemade sunscreen?
Sun safety tips

What is the difference between UVA and UVB?

Lets just clarify that neither one of these is good for your skin. Both have been proven to contribute to the risk of skin cancer. About 95% of the UV rays that reach the ground are UVA, the other 5% is UVB.

What is UVA?

Ultraviolet A rays have a longer wavelength. They penetrate the deeper layers of the skin and are associated with skin aging prematurely and wrinkles. UVA rays are the ones that cause your skin to tan. It triggers your cells at deeper levels to produce melanin (what pigments the skin). It’s the primary radiation used in tanning beds.

Even if you do not sunburn on a cloudy day, keep in mind that 80% of UVA rays can penetrate through clouds, still leaving your skin susceptible to UVA damage.

What is UVB?

Ultraviolet B rays have a shorter wavelength, but a very high energy level. They cause more damage to the outermost layers of the skin and are associated with skin burning.

However, UVB rays are the ones that provide us with Vitamin D. According to skincancer.org, when you step outside, “UVB rays interact with a protein in your body called 7-DHC in the skin, converting it into vitamin D3, the active form of vitamin D.”

This amazing homemade sunscreen recipe provides different levels of protection from both Ultraviolet rays. Read about the Ingredients and their protection levels next!

What is wrong with store bought sunscreens?

Most commercial sunscreens use chemical SPF ingredients as opposed to natural mineral options. And the few that do use mineral SPF, have many other harmful chemical additives which affect the “natural” aspect advertised.

Truthfully, they simply do not work as advertised. Several sources have found that store bought sunscreens do not contain the levels of SPF advertised. Since manufacturers do their own SPF testing without oversight, it is easy for them to continue on without repercussions.

Some commercial sunscreens even contain an ingredient called trolamine salicylate that just reduces redness. Though this chemical has not been proven to provide any UV protection, it still allows for commercial sunscreen to have a higher SPF rating.

To make matters worse, the FDA limits the amount of zinc a manufacturer can put into sunscreen. Making your own allows you to add just a little more non-nano zinc oxide to your sunscreen for a higher SPF.

This report from the ewg is very eye opening to the toxic levels of harmful chemicals the FDA allows in commercial sunscreens. Some of which have been found the bloodstream weeks after just one single use.

About the Ingredients

Cocoa Butter

Cocoa butter is full of antioxidants, acts as a moisturizer, and has anti-inflammatory properties. It helps create a barrier on the skin, helping lock in moisture and skin elasticity. These are just a few of the amazing benefits of cocoa butter!

Avocado Oil

Avocado oil is packed with vitamins A, D, and E and keeps your skin hydrated. It has been known to treat skin conditions like eczema. The sterolin (fats) it contains has been shown to help soften the skin and even reduce age spots.

Coconut Oil

Coconut Oil has an array of health benefits on its own. It has anti-inflammatory properties, filled with antioxidants, and helps increase the natural skin elasticity, just to name a few.

Beeswax

Beeswax helps give your sunscreen a much more desirable spreadable consistency. More importantly, beeswax is what makes homemade sunscreen waterproof! Beeswax has an abundance of benefits on its own and really shines in this recipe.

Though you can get it here, try to find a local beekeeper to purchase your beeswax from! I am always trying to support local businesses and it is cheaper!

I just purchased 5 lbs of filtered beeswax for some DIY beeswax projects at $9/lb. I’ve even heard of some purchasing locally for as low as $6/lb. It is worth looking into!

Non-nano Zinc Oxide

Zinc Oxide is one of the best and safest forms of sun protection. This is what will add the broad spectrum sun protection factor to your homemade sunscreen. It protect against UVA and UVB rays.

It is imperative to use non-nano zinc oxide, as the particle size of nano zinc oxide has been shown to enter the bloodstream when applied on the skin.

Furthermore, it has proven to be harmful to marine life and coral reefs. Meanwhile, non-nano zinc oxide has a particle size safe for the skin and marine life.

*Be cautious not to inhale zinc oxide as it is toxic for the lungs*

Essential Oils

Many essential oils have the ability to provide additional health benefits to the skin. Essential oils often carry their own sun protection factor as well, thus slightly increasing the SPF of your homemade sunscreen. I use peppermint oil in this recipe, but there are many other oil options!

Be careful to pay attention to the quality of the essential oils you’re using and putting on your skin! Not all essential oils are good! I get mine here. The set is an investment, but start small! You can purchase on an as needed basis until you build up your arsenal.

*be careful not to get essential oils in or near the eyes*

SPF Of Ingredients

Before looking at the numbers, keep in mind that SPF only applies to UVB rays. It is imperative that your sunscreen is a “broad spectrum” sunscreen which will protect from both UVA and UVB rays.

It is very difficult for any homemade sunscreen recipe to reach the SPF protection levels of commercial sunscreen. This is simply because of the lack of harmful chemicals added. Which ultimately allows for advertising misleading levels of SPF.

Keep in mind, however, that SPF 30 protects from about 97% of UVB rays, and SPF 50 protects from about 98% of UVB rays.

There are many options of oils and essential oils which are beneficial in homemade sunscreens such as raspberry seed oil, olive oil, carrot seed oil and many more. Take a look at this essential oil SPF chart with the best essential oils for homemade sunscreen.

How is SPF calculated?

To calculate SPF in your homemade sunscreen, be sure to zero the scale with the container on it so you’re only weighing the materials of the sunscreen
1. (weight after adding zinc) – (weight of materials without zinc) = oz of zinc
2. (oz of zinc) / (oz of total sunscreen) x 100 = % weight of zinc
3. % weight of zinc x 1.6 = SPF of your sunscreen

For every 1% of weight in the sunscreen, Zinc oxide provides an SPF of about 1.6. Though this seems to be the general consensus on the internet, I could not find the source of a study that would provide this fact.

The FDA allows for no more than 25% zinc oxide in commercial sunscreens. However, adding more to your homemade sunscreen should not be a big concern seeing as commercial diaper cream contains 40% zinc oxide.

In order to reach the desired 30-50 SPF, your sunscreen needs to contain 19-32% of zinc oxide. 19% zinc oxide will provide an SPF of 30.4, meanwhile, 32% zinc oxide will provide an SPF of 51.2.

If you forgot to zero the scale with container on it, use formula below to calculate the total weight of your sunscreen.
(weight after adding zinc) – (weight of container) = total weight (oz) of sunscreen

Does homemade sunscreen work?

Yes! However, I too was skeptical and nervous the first time I used it on myself and my children for a pool day. From my infant all the way to myself (with a toddler and 7 yr old in between), not only was it effective, but we loved it! I had no complaints from the kids, did not need to reapply, and went home with happy hearts!

That was all the convincing I needed. I found the best thing since sliced bread. Why isn’t this everywhere?! I can’t be the only one who dreads the sunscreen part of some of the most fun summer days.

We’ve used it all summer and I am still impressed every time we come home from a fun pool day beautifully tan, and with no sunburns!

Is DIY sunscreen safe?

This homemade sunscreen recipe is safe for so many! Just reading up on the ingredients compared to some in commercial sunscreens is enough proof! This broad spectrum homemade sunscreen recipe is:

• baby safe (infants and toddlers)
• reef safe (safe for coral reefs)
• ocean safe
• kid friendly
• safe for sensitive skin
• cloth diaper safe (we love our cloth swim diaper)

Truly, I do not know what more one could ask for out of a truly effective waterproof sunscreen!

*Please do your own research. The information I provide is based on my own research. Research the ingredients for any restrictions to any specific conditions that may affect the safety of the product for your persons*

Pin it for later!

How to make natural sunscreen?

This homemade natural sunscreen recipe is super easy to follow and doesn’t take long at all! One batch is certainly enough to last all summer long.

Supplies Needed

• Food scale (to help calculate % weight of zinc oxide)
• Double boiler or large pot and glass bowl
• Glass container for storage
• Whisk

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup avocado oil (can replace with almond or olive oil)- approx. 3.3 oz
• 1/4 cup cocoa butter– approx. 1 oz
• 1/4 cup coconut oil– approx. 2oz
• 2 oz non-nano zinc oxide– just under 1/2 cup
• 1/4 cup beeswax– approx.1 oz
• 15-20 drops peppermint essential oil (optional)

Instructions

1. Pour the avocado oil, cocoa butter, coconut oil, and beeswax into a container.
2. In a double boiler, melt these together.
3. Once melted, take container off of the heat.
4. Stir in non-nano zinc oxide. *do not inhale*
5. Whisk until just combined.
6. Add essential oils if using them. Whisk lightly.
7. Pour in a storage container of choice. An airtight glass jar is best.

How to store homemade sunscreen?

I store mine in a glass, airtight jar, and use it as needed. We typically apply sunscreen while still indoors if going to our neighborhood pool which is best practice, but I have definitely taken my glass jar around to our different activities (park, splash pad, beach, pool etc) just being careful to wrap it in a towel in our pool/beach bag.

It can easily be stored in a plastic container. If you choose to store in anything other than glass, then simply omit the essential oils as they will deteriorate the container over time.

Note: do not get water in your sunscreen as it will damage the product.

Sun Safety Tips

• Apply sunscreen while still indoors
• Do not neglect to apply sunscreen just because it is cloudy
• Avoid being in the sun for long periods of time during the hours of 12pm-3pm when it is at its strongest
• During this time, try to find shade
• Do not forget a hat and sunglasses!

Leave a comment if you use this recipe and let me know how you like it. I’d love to hear from you!

Stick around for more on natural living or sign up to get more natural living content straight to your inbox!

• Natural Homemade Powder Laundry Soap
• DIY Natural Laundry Scent Booster
• How to make Beeswax Candles