DIY Sunscreens - all natural and eco-friendly

Summer is here and so is the need for sunscreen. Unfortunately with all the negative information about the dangerous chemicals in sunscreens and their impact on your health and the environment it makes you wonder if sunscreen is doing more harm and than good.

After visiting the Environmental Working Group's web page, I found that they did a study on the safety and effectiveness of sunscreens in 2009. They studied 1,572 skincare products containing sunscreen and found that 3 out of 5 products actually provide inadequate protection from the sun. However, this was an improvement from last year, when 4 out of 5 failed to meet the EWG's standards for safe sun care.

While I could write this entire post about the harmful ingredients in sunscreens which are detrimental to your health and to the environment, I suggest that you visit the Environmental Working Group's web page and make your own decisions about what you want to apply to your skin or that of your children. With that in mind, below are some sun block recipes that are Eco-friendly and do not contain any harmful ingredients.


Below are recipes to make your own sun block:


Sun Block Recipe 1
5 oz grapeseed oil
1 tablespoon Shea Butter
1/2 oz beeswax
*4 oz lavender hydrosol or rosewater (or any other hydrosol you like)
2 tablespoons zinc oxide

Mix the oil, Shea butter and beeswax in a 2 cup heat proof glass or Pyrex measuring cup, place the measuring cup in a pot partially filled with water (to act as a double boiler), melt over medium-high heat. Add the zinc powder. Allow to cool until a crust starts to form around the edges. Using a hand blender, begin to slowly pour the hydrosol into the oil. Keep mixing until all the hydrosol is fully incorporated and the cream is smooth. Pour into a clean, sterilized jar. Store in the refrigerator.

* Hydrosol - is the condensed water that is left behind when plants are steam distilled to make essential oil. Similar to waters made from roses and lavenders and other herbs, except more pure and a little more concentrated. You can make your own waters, just by steeping an herb in warm water and straining. Learn how to make rosewater here.


Sun Block Recipe 2
1 Tablespoon zinc oxide
1 1/2 tsp light sesame oil
1 Tablespoon rosewater (learn how to make your own rose water here)
Couple drops of essential oil - your choice or try peppermint, lavender, rosemary

Mix together the zinc oxide and sesame oil. Heat the mixture gently, using a double boiler, and stir well to mix. Remove from heat and slowly add the rosewater and essential oil, as you continue stirring. Allow to cool completely, and store in a clean container with a tight lid, in the fridge. Yield: 2 oz. Keeps: Up to 10 days in the fridge.


Sun Block Recipe 3
6 Tablespoons avocado oil
3 Tablespoons Shea butter
1 Tablespoon beeswax
1 teaspoon soy lecithin
1 capsule vitamin E
1 Tablespoon aloe Vera gel
2 Tablespoon zinc oxide
3-5 drops essential oil (optional)

Melt the Shea butter and beeswax in a double boiler. Mix in the avocado oil, lecithin, aloe Vera gel, zinc oxide, and essential oil. Store in clean container and refrigerate.


As you can see by the above ingredients, zinc or titanium oxide is the active ingredients in these sun block recipes. Unlike sunscreens, zinc and titanium oxide block all sunlight (both UVA and UVB rays) from the skin thus providing a high SPF.

Get your ingredients at:








If mixing up a batch of your own sun block does not interest you, consider these products for sun protection. They are the top sunscreen brands recommended from the Environmental Working Group. You can also visit The Daily Green and see the top 21 Natural Sunscreens.

Desert Essence Daily Face Cream. In addition to protecting skin against damaging UVA and UVB exposure,Desert Essence Age Reversal in SPF 30 also contains the antioxidant grape seed extract, which helps prevent the signs of aging. It also contains Vitamin Ewhich moisturizes and helps prevent wrinkles, and pomegranate extract, which supports a healthy and even skin tone.










  Soleo Organics lists organic ingredients and is recommended for both kids and adults, offering broad spectrum protection (both UVA and UVB rays) for the most sensitive of skin using a 100% chemical-free zinc oxide natural ingredient.

Soléo's formula is made from 22.3% zinc oxide, along with natural ingredients like oils, beeswax, green tea and chamomile.

Badger's Balm SPF 30 natural sunscreen is formulated to protect and moisturize with FDA-certified organic ingredients. As you'll find in the ingredients list of Badger and in all of the EWG's top 10 sunscreens, for truly effective sun and health protection, zinc oxide (along with titanium oxide) is used to deflect the sun's rays, rather than synthetic chemicals which absorb rays, raising health concerns because they penetrate the skin and enter your bloodstream. 
Zinc oxide provides protection from UVA/UVB rays, while extra virgin olive oil, jojoba oil, cocoa butter and Shea butter keep the skin moisturized. Badger sunscreens are water resistant up to 40 minutes, and use natural ingredients without fragrances, preservatives or dye.

For more skin care recipes and skin care articles, visit Complete Skin Care Therapy