Summer is just around the corner! In preparation for a the new season, I prepare salves, make soaps, sunscreen and sprays. I usually do this all in one afternoon so it is done for the season, keeps it simple and of course making our own ensures we know what we’re putting on our bodies! Since it’s almost Summertime… it is time to make Sunscreen. I make one batch and it lasts us the entire season; and we use it a lot!
Just look at the sunscreen at any store and you’ll see lots of toxins, chemicals and unpronounceable ingredients on the label. Most of those that claim to be “organic” or “all natural”? Outrageously priced. We spend a ton of time outside in the summer months; in the garden, we live in the pool and at the river. Sunscreen is a must! However, I can’t slather my family in toxins.
So, I started making my own. It’s super easy! First of all, you’ll want to call your local pharmacy and ask them if they carry or can order you some Zinc Oxide Powder, since most of us don’t have that sitting in our cabinet. My (very) small town pharmacy ordered some for me – it took 2 days. Or you can grab some at Amazon, HERE. You’ll also need shea butter, coconut oil and beeswax. You’ll also want a container, for me that’s a mason jar, my container of choice for everything.
Gather up a tablespoon measure as well as a half cup measure and a small stainless steel pan (or double boiler set up) a small whisk and/ or stick blender. That’s it!
So, let’s gather our supplies and make up a batch it takes about 15 minutes-tops. Check out the video we made HERE, and you’ll see how simple this really is. You’ll want to melt your first 3 ingredients together in your stainless steel pan:
- ½ cup of Coconut Oil
- ½ cup of Shea Butter
- 2 (heaping) Tablespoons of Beeswax pellets
Once you melt those down, pour it into your container and add in 4 Tablespoons of Zinc Oxide Powder and whisk this in or use your stick blender, and mix until it is smooth—no clumps of zinc oxide—this will take just a couple minutes. Let this set up to solidify and that’s it. It applies very nicely, and works fantastic.
Not to mention, it takes me longer to get everyone in the car to go buy sunscreen, than it does to make this at home and it’s toxin free. Win-Win.
Embrace summer and those you get to spend it with!
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I really like the idea of making my own sunscreen since my son is allergic to almost everything. I was wondering if there was a substitute for coconut oil? Mainly because my son is allergic to it. Thanks.
Thank you so much for this. I will definitely be adding the olive oil, as we live in Scotland! Blessings, x.
Thanks for stopping by to visit Gwen!
🙂
Brenda,
You might give palm kernel oil (comes in flakes) a try, or for the measure of coconut oil, you could try half shea butter/half olive oil! Hope this helps– stop back by — let me know how it goes!
😀
Lisa