Clean SPF50(ish) Sunscreen Recipe
All the ‘clean’ sunscreens are so expensive, and for no reason! All of the ingredients these brands use are cheap, so what you’re really paying for is the packaging and any scent they add, and really unscented is probably better anyway since even natural scents can disrupt your hormones. You can make this at home in about 5 min and it will probably be more than enough for the whole summer for your family.
This recipe is highly adaptable for everyone! You can use whatever carrier oil you want, though note that liquid carrier oils may need to be shaken before applying each time. I have successfully made this using the oils listed in the recipe, and also jojoba oil, and a blend that included shea, coconut, and jojoba.
This Sunscreen Recipe Is:
Non-toxic, Gluten/wheat-free, soy-free, vegan (coconut oil), Nut-free (tallow), AIP friendly (tallow), benzene-free, preservative-free, Low-PUFA, silicone-free, titanium dioxide-free, petroleum-free, aluminum-free, citric acid-free
Like all physical sunscreens, this will likely leave a white cast. I have seen people add a little bit of cocoa powder to the recipe to tint it so that it’s less white, but I haven’t tried that yet, so I can’t confirm if this works well. Take care when adding the zinc powder not to breathe in any dust as it can be irritating to your lungs.
Clean Sunscreen Recipe SPF 50
Makes about ~475 g of sunscreen (fills 2 cups)
Ingredients (by weight):
Coconut oil, Grass-Fed/Finished Beef Tallow or other carrier oil of choice – 340 g
Non-nano zinc oxide – 135 g ( or if you scale up or down the recipe, aim for 28% of total weight, for SPF ~50) I used Sky Organics* brand (*affiliate link. By shopping with my link I may earn a small commission at no cost to you on qualifying items. )
Instructions:
Melt base oils:
In a double boiler, gently melt your oil (if your oil is already liquid at room temp, skip this step). Avoid overheating. You could also use a microwave, but only do 10secs at a time so you don’t overdo it - some oils are not heat stable and will oxidize.
Add zinc oxide:
While wearing a mask and/or working in a well-ventilated space, slowly stir or whisk in zinc oxide until fully incorporated and smooth.
Jar it:
Pour into non-plastic jars or tins and allow to cool completely before sealing.
Use & Storage Tips:
Store in a cool, dark place.
Reapply every 1–2 hours when in sun or after swimming. This is not a waterproof sunscreen, but depending on the oil you use, it may be water resistant.
Shelf life: about 6 months.
Variations To Try for this Recipe
Infuse your oil with herbs like rose petals or rosemary beforehand for a light scent
Add a tiny amount of beeswax for a firmer texture
Add cocoa powder to tint it and make it less white
Add a few drops of vitamin e oil for a longer shelf life
Does Removing Seed Oils Prevent Sunburn?
I think it does! I used to burn almost instantly when I was eating seed oils daily, and now after having removed them for several years along with following a more holistic/anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle I don’t burn unless I’m outside in peak UVs for more than 3 hours. I think that avoiding the seed oils and lowering my inflammation helped significantly in reducing my risk of burns. Sometimes I need to be outside for a longer period (beach vacations, gardening projects etc), and in those situations I either use a physical barrier like a sunshirt or slather on some homemade sunscreen. I travel with family members who don’t eat like I do, and they all use this to successfully prevent burns.
Ivy, Are You Going To Ever Sell Sunscreen in Your Shop?
Nope. I probably won’t. When you sell a sunscreen there is an issue of liability, and a lot of red tape with testing it to ensure the SPF rating is correct. Because of the costs of doing that and then the insurance to protect myself from liability it’s too much hassle for me to want to mess with.
