Homemade Essential Oil Sunscreen: A Natural Solution for Fair Skin
As a fair-skinned redhead, I have experienced the torment of sunburns all too often. The pain and discomfort that comes from a sunburn can be unbearable. As a mother of a daughter with even paler skin than mine, I often grapple with the guilt of allowing her to get sunburned. This is why I am thrilled to share my all-natural, homemade essential oil sunscreen!
- Water-resistant formula
- Provides protection against both UVA and UVB rays
- Offers SPF 30+
- Absorbs completely without leaving a greasy residue
- Simple to create at home
- Control over the ingredients used
- Crafted from pure, all-natural components
- Infused with the benefits of essential oils
- Delightful scent!
Even with this effective sunscreen, we remain vigilant about sun exposure. We seek shade whenever possible, wear protective clothing, and diligently reapply the sunscreen every hour, especially after swimming or sweating. After a bit too much sun, we turn to our soothing after-sun spray infused with essential oils.
Ingredients in Our DIY Sunscreen
Mango butter or shea butter – provides an SPF of 3-6
Coconut oil – offers an SPF of 6-8
Beeswax – helps thicken the sunscreen and ensures water resistance
Apricot kernel oil – lightens the sunscreen and enhances absorption into the skin
Non-nano zinc oxide – delivers UVA and UVB protection with an SPF of 20+
Cacao powder (optional) – zinc oxide sunscreens can often appear stark white, so adding a bit of cacao powder helps blend it into your natural skin tone.
Essential oil – I prefer lavender essential oil for its calming scent and mild sun protection (about SPF 5).
3 oz silicone squeeze bottles are ideal for storage.
Steps to Create Your Homemade Sunscreen with Essential Oils
Step 1:
Add 1/4 cup of beeswax to a heat-safe glass measuring cup or bowl.
Step 2:
Incorporate 1/2 cup of mango butter (or substitute with 1/2 cup of shea butter).
Step 3:
Add 1/2 cup of coconut oil.
Step 4:
Utilize the double boiler method to melt the butters, oil, and beeswax:
- Fill a pot with 1-2 inches of water.
- Heat the pot over medium-high heat until the water gently simmers.
- Place the heat-safe glass measuring cup in the pot of simmering water.
- Stir occasionally.
- Ensure that the butters and beeswax melt completely; any unmelted beeswax can cause a grainy texture.
Step 5:
Remove your mixture from heat and allow it to cool for a few minutes.
Step 6:
Once the mixture has cooled slightly, add 1/4 cup of apricot kernel oil.
Step 7:
Add 60 drops of your chosen essential oil (1% dilution) and stir well. I recommend lavender essential oil for its soothing properties and light sun protection.
Step 8:
Incorporate 1/2 cup of non-nano zinc oxide.
Step 9:
(Optional) To achieve a softer color that matches your skin tone, add a small amount of cacao powder. Zinc oxide tends to be very white, so adding 2-3 tablespoons softens this for my family’s fair skin. If you have a darker skin tone, feel free to experiment with larger amounts.
Step 10:
Allow the mixture to cool completely. For those who are impatient (like me), you can speed up the process by refrigerating it for about 30 minutes.
Step 11:
The zinc oxide and cacao may have settled at the bottom during cooling. To ensure everything is well mixed, give the sunscreen a quick blend with a hand mixer.
Step 12:
Transfer the sunscreen into beach- and pool-safe containers. To make filling the silicone squeeze bottles quick and mess-free:
- Pour the entire batch of sunscreen into a Ziploc bag.
- Cut off a corner of the Ziploc bag.
- Squeeze the mixture into the silicone squeeze bottles.
- This recipe typically fills 3-4 of these 3-ounce squeeze bottles.
Essential Oil Sunscreen Recipe Recap
1. Use the double-boiler method to melt the following:
- 1/4 cup beeswax
- 1/2 cup mango butter
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
2. Once melted, remove from heat, let cool for a couple of minutes, then add:
- 1/4 cup apricot kernel oil
- 60 drops essential oil (1% dilution) – stir well after adding
- 1/2 cup non-nano zinc oxide
- (Optional) 2-3 Tbsp cacao powder
3. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
4. Use a hand mixer for 1-2 minutes to blend any settled zinc oxide and cacao powder back into the mixture.
5. Transfer the sunscreen to silicone squeeze bottles (1 batch fills 3-4 of these 3-ounce bottles).
Where to Find Supplies for Your Essential Oil Sunscreen
- Mango butter or shea butter
- Coconut oil
- Beeswax
- Apricot kernel oil
- Non-nano zinc oxide
- Cacao powder (optional)
- 3 oz silicone squeeze bottles
Explore More Essential Oil Posts!
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Please note: The products mentioned in this article have not been evaluated by the FDA. The information provided is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your medical professional regarding your medical care. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it based on something you read on this website.
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