How to Make Your Own Natural Sunscreen Using Coconut Oil

Store bought sunscreens can have some harmful side effects and many people today are choosing to go a healthier, more natural root; but what is the solution when it comes to sunscreens?


Coconut oil itself has a fairly low sun protection factor (4-10) but when combined with other ingredients it can become a better solution for caring for your skin. The recipe below mixes a number of natural ingredients that are safer for your skin than commercially available sunscreens and that have beneficial properties to protect your skin [1]:

Coconut oil: Apart from its low SPF factor, coconut oil also has antiseptic effects and helps to improve skin hydration.

Shea Butter: Shea butter is well known for its skin healing properties, it contains vitamins A and E and enhances skin cell regeneration and blood circulation.

Sesame oil: Sesame oil also has a low SPF and is a good skin softener

Raspberry seed oil: Raspberry seed oil has a high skin protection factor, is rich in essential fatty acids and vitamin E.

Carrot seed oil: Carrot seed oil has excellent antioxidant, antiseptic, and antifungal properties; as well as having a high natural SPF factor of 38-40. Probably the most important protective ingredient in this recipe.

Essential Oils of Your Choice: different essential oils have different effects on your skin but a number of these oils provide benefits for your skin as well as other health problems you may be experiencing.

The Recipe:
¼ cup coconut oil
¼ cup shea butter
1/8 cup sesame or jojoba oil
2tbsp beeswax granules
1-2tbsp zinc oxide powder (optional)
1tsp red raspberry seed oil
20-30 drops carrot seed essential oil
Essential oils of your choice (lavender, rosemary, vanilla, and/or peppermint)
Instructions:
1. In a double boiler or small pan melt the coconut oil, sesame or jojoba oil, beeswax and shea butter.
2. After everything has melted together, remove from the heat and allow to cool. Whisk in zinc oxide powder (optional) ensuring that you do not create a lot of dust (you may want to wear a face mask).
3. Put in fridge for another 15-30 minutes so that it starts to set but doesn’t get too hard (you still want to be able to whip it.)
4. Once it has started to set but is still fairly soft, take it out and add the raspberry seed oil, carrot seed essential oil and any other essential oils and mix with a stand mixer or hand mixer until it appears to be light and fluffy.
5. Your sunblock is now ready. Store in fridge and apply as necessary.
By creating your own homemade sunscreen you can not only prevent the damage caused by the commercially available brands but can also add ingredients that will have beneficial, healing properties on your skin. This easy to make sunscreen has emollient, antiseptic, antioxidant and antifungal properties apart from its sun protection factor and you can add more based on your choice of essential oils.