If you're into DIY beauty products, then you might give making your own sunblock a try. Homemade sunscreen has less chemicals than commercial brands, and some people with sensitive skin find it to be less irritating. You can make sunscreen using your favorite store-bought lotion or completely from scratch...
Instructables offers two recipes for homemade sunscreen. Please note, both recipes require adding a sun-blocking agent—either zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which should absolutely not be inhaled. Always use gloves and mask when working with these products. Use Instructables' SPF Table to determine how much zinc oxide/titanium dioxide to add.
1. Easy DIY Sunscreen
8 oz. store-bought lotion (your favorite brand)
Zinc oxide or titanium dioxide
Add zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to lotion, using the SPF Table as a reference. Instructables suggest using a new container rather than the original lotion container to be sure that every single drop of lotion is allowed to mix with the sun-blocking agent.
2. DIY Sunscreen from scratch
8 oz. carrier oil, (olive, sunflower, jojoba, soybean, or whatever you like)
1 oz. emulsifing wax
Sunblocking agent - zinc oxide or titanium dioxide - available online
Essential oils of your choice, optional
Mixer (either handheld mixer, submersible blender, or mini chopper--NOT TO BE USED FOR FOOD AFTERWARDS)
Silicone spatula
Pastry bag or plastic baggie
Container for your lotion
Scale for accurate measuring
Gloves and a mask for handling powdered agents
Measure 1 oz. of wax into a microwave-safe container. Melt in the microwave on high heat (approx 1 minute). Add 8 oz. oil, and blend well. Add a few drops of essential oils for scent (optional step). If the mixture starts to harden, put it back in the microwave for a few seconds.
Use the SPF Table to determine measurements of zinc oxide/titanium dioxide. For example, 8 oz. (weighed) of lotion plus 8 oz. of titanium micronized dioxide (weighed) equals SPF20+. In this case, the titanium micronized dioxide is 10 percent of the original amount of lotion used (not the finished weight).
This Hot Dad Wants to Do Your Ironing
KStew Refuses to Shower
This Hot Dad Wants to Cook You Dinner
This Hot Dad Cooks AND Does the Dishes
Comments 6
Oh, my...Martha Stewart, I'm not! The best sunscreen I have found to date is Rodan + Fields Sunscreen. It is created by the same doctors that created Proactiv Solution for acne.
Its natural botanical fragrance is refreshing too. I'd recommend for anyone! And you can use it on children 6 months and older! Sorry, not in stores...only online at www.kreischman.myrandf.com ! Yes, this is a shamless plug, but it is ohsogood!!
Talking about sunscreen, I just want to let you know about a great new baby product I’ve found. If you’re a neurotic first time mom like me and you’re worried about the sun and the damage it can do to your baby’s delicate skin, it’s well worth checking out Sunny Sleevez (www.sunnysleevez.com). They are sleeves that can be worn on arms and legs and give your child instant UV protection of 50 SPF. This is brilliant for my little girl as she’s still too young at 5 months to wear suntan lotion. I get paranoid about lotion needing to be reapplied throughout the day and taking time after it being applied for it to work so I’ve found them a godsend especially as they can be washed and reused. They also offer a 100% money back guarantee.
I've actually learned alot about making your own sunscreens now that I make lotions and soaps.. I think I'm going to try it! I don't think I would ever sell it though.. to me, it kinda crosses the line into liability territory. Its much easier than people think though! My biggest complaint with sunscreen is how greasy it feels, so if I use a non-greasy oil base, like apricot kernel or grape seed.. I should get a really good result!
Oh and great recipe!
I use Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 30 :)