Homemade Mineral Tallow Sunscreen
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If you are looking for an easy, safe and effective sunscreen to use for your family this summer look no further. In this post I share a simple sunscreen recipe that you can use to protect your family from burns without the toxic chemicals found in commercial varieties. Here I share why my family switched to mineral based sunscreens and why I chose the skin loving oils and fats that I did. So get your apron ready, ingredients gathered and get ready for a fun summer in the sun!
For those looking for a safe and effective sunscreen but don’t have time to go the DIY route checkout our Calendula-Infused Mineral Sunscreen. We use beautiful calendula flowers grown right here on our farm infused in organic olive oil and locally sourced ingredients for a nourishing sunscreen you can trust.
Why I Changed Our Family Sunscreen
After having my children saying my body ‘went through some changes’ is an understatement. My body went through what could only be described as a full on assault! I became very sensitive to almost everything around me-many foods and drinks, fragrances, skincare items and makeup. I even broke out in a rash from head-to-toe from a cleaner used on a tanning bed. After having a series of debilitating symptoms I really started to look into what I was putting in and on my body. I found many of the ingredients in skincare and makeup quite concerning- everything from hormone disrupting chemicals to even ingredients linked to cancer. This led to making my own skincare products for my family, including the mineral based sunscreen that I will share with you today.
Check out this article if you would like to learn more about the chemicals in sunscreen
The trouble with ingredients in sunscreens | EWG's Guide to Sunscreens
Why I Choose the Ingredients That I Did
Tallow
One of the first ingredients I knew I wanted to use in my sunscreen was grass-fed tallow. I had already created many tallow balms and love how they feel and soak into the skin. Tallow is rich in vitamins A, D, E and K and does not clog pores. It acts as a natural barrier protecting our skin from damage and has a natural SPF of 4. I get my tallow from a local farm but you can purchase it online here.
Coconut Oil
Organic Virgin Coconut Oil contains natural SPF protection from the sun and is very moisturizing for the skin. It is full of antioxidants, antifungal, antiviral, antibacterial and reduces inflammation. It also provides some waterproofing properties and helps to create some structure to the sunscreen.
Cocoa Butter or Shea Butter
These vegetable butters are both high in fatty acids, high in vitamins E, very hydrating to the skin and create a natural barrier from the sun. You can use what you prefer in this recipe, some like the smell of organic cocoa butter which gives a nice chocolate aroma while others prefer organic shea butter for a more scentless sunscreen. You might just be crazy and use a little of both!
Beeswax
Beeswax is great in any sunscreen recipe because it can create a natural waterproofing element to your homemade sunscreen that you otherwise would not have. We source our beeswax locally but you can find easy to use beeswax pellets.
Oil of Your Choice
The two oils that I chose to use in my sunscreen are Carrot Seed Oil and my Calendula-Infused Olive Oil made in my apothecary. You can however play around with what oil you prefer. Many of them have their own natural SPF and properties that are good for the skin.
Non-Nano Zinc Oxide
This is the active ingredient that provides the most SPF and the non-nano zinc oxide contains larger particles to insure that it does not absorb into the skin but that it stays on the surface of the skin protecting you from getting burnt.
Cocoa Powder (Optional)
A little cocoa powder added to the sunscreen can provide a nice tint to the sunscreen and a nice bronzing effect to the skin that is attractive. This is however an optional ingredient and isn’t necessary to provide SPF protection.
What Will You Will Need
Now that we have the ingredients figured out there are some kitchen tools that you will need
Container for Sunscreen
Homemade Mineral Tallow Sunscreen
2 oz Tallow Balm
1 oz Coconut Oil
½ oz Cocoa or Shea Butter
½ oz Beeswax
1 tbsp Oil of Choice (olive oil, carrot seed, almond oil)
½ oz Non-nano Zinc Oxide
1 tsp Cocoa Powder (optional-for a tint)
How to make sunscreen
Combine everything in a double boiler starting with the beeswax, tallow, coconut oil and butters until melted.
Heat water to a simmer and melt all ingredients.
Once melted, stir in oils, zinc and cocoa (if using)
Avoid breathing in the zinc powder and mix well
Once sunscreen has started to thicken but is still pourable, pour it into container of choice.
Some Last Things to Consider
Now you have a non-toxic sunscreen option that you can make at home but keep in mind that homemade sunscreens may not protect as fully against the sun’s rays and will need to be re-applied more often. This recipe should provide a SPF of around 15-20 depending on what oils you chose. Always remember to be mindful of your sun exposure and stay hydrated! Your homemade sunscreen can last for up to a year if stored properly and kept from getting water in it.
If you are looking for a natural non-toxic sunscreen without all the fuse check out my shop for my Calendula-Infused Tallow Sunscreen, Now on Sale!
