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Do you want to protect your skin from sun damage? Why not make your own non-toxic sunscreen? That’s right! No nasty chemicals and no high price! It’s budget-friendly and simple to make your own sunscreen. All you need is zinc oxide and a few other non-toxic ingredients that you probably already have on hand.
Here’s What You Need to Make Your Own Non-Toxic sunscreen.
When ordering supplies, search for “non-Nano zinc oxide powder.” This type doesn’t absorb into your skin and penetrate the bloodstream. Choose a cosmetic grade powder. You’ll need a food processor or immersion blender that is never used for food to make this. (I keep my eyes open and pick them up at yard sales and thrift stores.)
TIP: You should always use a mask or cover your nose and mouth with a bandana when working with zinc oxide powder.
Here is the simple recipe I’ve used for years:
- 2 parts coconut oil
- 2 parts shea butter
- 1-part Zinc oxide powder
- 8-10 drops of tea tree oil
Here’s How to Adjust the SPF Levels.
To adjust the SPF levels, it’s all about percentages.
- 5% zinc oxide – SPF 2-5
- 10% zinc oxide – SPF 6-11
- 15% zinc oxide – SPF 12-19
- 20% zinc oxide – SPF >20
How to Make Your Own Non-Toxic Sunscreen.
Melt your coconut oil and shea butter in a double boiler, then whip up the ingredients in a food processor. Pour it into jars and allow it to cool completely before closing the lid. That’s it! Super easy and way more frugal making your own non-toxic sunscreen than buying the stuff at your local pharmacy.
Fun fact: Eating berries can actually increase your internal SPF! Just another reason to enjoy them this summer.
Now Get Out There and Enjoy Your Summer!
Your skin is protected and you saved money! Reward yourself with some fun summer activities. Why not have a Backyard Staycation? Or, take a Frugal Vacation! You could even start a garden, or head out to the local Farmer’s Market.
Whatever you decide to do, don’t forget your sunscreen!
Have you ever made sunscreen?
Have you ever made your own sunscreen? What ingredients did you use? Share your DIY sunscreen tips in the comments.
5 thoughts on “How to Make Your Own Non-Toxic Sunscreen”
Daisy – regarding measuring and percentages, is this done by weight? In other words, say 2 oz each of the shea butter and coconut oil, one oz of zinc oxide? Or is it by tablespoons, or what? A little more info would be helpful, thanks. This is a great idea, by the way.
Alice,
Here’s an article that explains measuring in parts
https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/measuring-parts
I also hesitated when seeing how the ingredient amounts were listed. I understand using “parts” to mix something, but then the tea tree oil is listed as a fixed amount no matter the volume of the previous ingredients.
If a “part” is 1/2 teaspoon and I used 8-10 drops of tea tree oil, it would burn my skin (may be just me).
If a “part” was 1 cup, the 8-10 drops of tea tree oil would be fine.
I suggest all ingredients be listed uniformly. Perhaps specifying that for tea tree oil a “part” = (a specific number of drops).
Wonderful!!
So happy you shared this!
I never thought of making my own thats safer n so much better with many healthy benefits.
I m gonna order my ingredients immediately.
Thank you so much!!
Love your blog! Is the tea tree oil in the sunscreen for a specific purpose? Excited to make my own and would love to experiment with variations.