There are many websites sharing recipes for making your own sunscreen. I liked this recipe from https://simplelifemom.com/2014/05/12/homemade-natural-sunscreen/ best and have been using it for 7 years now. On the website page, scroll down to view “Bees Wax Sunscreen (more water proof)”.
Per SimpleLifeMom.com:
Natural Oils with SPF
Shea Butter – approx. SPF 5-6
Coconut Oil – approx. SPF 6-10
Avocado Oil – approx. SPF 4-8
Carrot Seed Essential Oil – approx. SPF 28-40 (contains antioxidants to protect skin cells) Must be diluted or it will burn your skin!
Myrrh Essential Oil – approx. SPF 15 (ultra healing oil to help take care of your skin)
Avoid Citrus oils (orange, grapefruit, lemon, etc) as they will increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun. Everyone’s skin is different. So please use caution when using essential oils and sun exposure until you know how your skin will respond and how often you need to reapply sunscreen.
Bees Wax Sunscreen (more water proof)
Instead of a whipped lotion, this creates more of an oil. I like to pour it into a deodorant container and keep in the fridge (to help prevent separation, though not necessary. It can be taken out with you when you go). Note from OrganicallyRight.com: we simply pour it into a jar or reusable plastic container with a screw top. Smaller containers can be used for carrying on-the-go.
- 1/4 cup avocado oil
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1/4 cup beeswax
- 1/4 cup shea butter
- 10 drops myrrh essential oil
- 15 drops carrot seed essential oil
NOTE: OrganicallyRight.com would like to add a note regarding the next ingredient, zinc oxide, before you read on. I do not use the zinc oxide as I discovered that it dries your skin over time. My skin became so dry that no moisturizer could hydrate it. It took a long time to restore my skin’s moisture. But, because everyone’s skin is different, it is ultimately your choice. I just added more myrrh.
- 2 Tbsp zinc oxide (optional) You can add more myrrh instead (up to 40 drops)
Use a double broiler or place ingredients in a glass bowl or mason jar in/over water in a saucepan. Personal Note: OrganicallyRight.com doesn’t use a double boiler. Instead, a mason jar is placed in a pot of low boiling water over the stove.
Add avocado oil, coconut oil, and beeswax to container. Stir on low heat until all ingredients are melted. Remove from heat and add shea butter and essential oils. Stir until shea is melted (do not add before or heat will make shea grainy).
If you are adding zinc oxide, add now and whisk until there are no clumps. Transfer to storage container and use as you would your regular sunscreen.
Here at OrganicallyRight, we store the container in the refrigerator to prevent the oils from getting rancid, especially when living in Hawaii’s humid environment. The coolness of the cream from the refrigerator is actually quite refreshing.