Homemade Sunscreen

Step 1 Materials

You'll need the following ingredients to make sunscreen:

• 8oz carrier. oil - olive, sunflower, jojoba, soybean - your choice
• 1oz emulsifing wax
• Sunblocking agent - zinc oxide or titanium dioxide - available online
• Essential oils of your choice (opt.) - I used geranium and sweet orange

The following tools make the job easier:

• 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

In order to prepare your personal sunscreen it is important first to be aware that zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are products that should not be inhaled. Always wear gloves and a mask.

Comments

[lostandlau]

I recently had a VERY bad reaction when wearing bergamot in the sun. After a little research, it turns out that essential oils from the citrus family photosensitize the skin - especially bergamot, lime and bitter orange. Apparently though, if the oil is highly diluted the risk is largely negated. I wouldn't risk it though! My skin reaction was so severe, it's taken over a month for it to heal.

[cindredm]

ditto to lostandlau info

I was going to post the same thing about using orange oil- as it is photosensitizing. Yes, same amounts may be safer but it counterintuitive to add something photosensitizing to a sunscreen. While sweet orange is not, there is concern that one may not ensure sweet orange is used.
Also, all citrus oils should be avoided for those with sensitive skin.

Love essential oils but perhaps a warning to research which oils are least irritating. And always safest to avoid any essential oils on babies.

[mmade]

I buy a bergaptene free bergamot that reduces the risk of photosensitization from camdengrey.com to use in my skincare products, so i do not have to work about avoiding sun exposure.

[urbanmari]

Good point. I hope everybody takes note of this. Apparently, a popular perfume of the 70s was Shalimar, and someone in my family had a story about a terribly burned neck, where she had applied it. Thanks for sharing this warning lostandlau

[NastySpill]

It's great to make your own stuff and to know what your putting into it. But do you really know what your putting into this? Titanium dioxide is found in many commerically available sunscreens. However it is classified as a type 2b carcinogen, which means it is possibly carnicogenic to humans via respatory tract.. so use appropriate dust inhalation measures when handling this stuff. wikipedia titanium dioxide to get a rundown.. And just stay out of the sun!

[sadhbh]

just one warning: some essential oils (e.g. bergamot) photosensitise the skin and should not be applied to the skin before exposure to the sun, so I'd be very careful there (I'm not a medical practitioner but I do like bergamot and I've noticed the warnings associated with it)

[Tyg]

Bergamot is also in Earl Grey Tea which is my favourite. I used to drink it a LOT. My eyes became very photosensitive. I stopped drinking it quite so much and now I'm fine. However lately I began drinking a little more of it again. Again, headaches caused by light sensitivity through my eyes. Hadn't thought of it causing issues on the skin.