Homemade Sunscreen

Step 7 Disclaimer

These recipes and instructions are for homemade use only.

The concentration of TD/ZO in the lotion is approximated for ease of use. The variations in concentration will still fall within the SPF ranges set forth, and should not cause concern in small batches (approx 8-12oz)

If you want to make and sell a skin care product, you must adhere to the regulations set forth by the location where you conduct your business.

Be aware of the shelf life of products made without preservatives.

The beauty (and simplicity) of making your own product is that you don't have to adhere to the stringent industry guidelines of manufacturing to lengthen the shelf life. Simply make enough to be used within a short period of time.

Click here for wabisabibaby's shelf-life article on what to do to make lotions last about 3 months.

_{thank you to wabisabibaby for setting forth and inspiring this disclaimer, and for an awesome lotion instructable.}

Comments

[diymom14]

Hi I was wondering if there's a way to make the lotion last longer than 3 months. Thanks for the recipe though. :)

[esmith-anthony]

Does this one turn rancid? Looking to make a lotion that does not have to be refrigerated. Please help me out with the ration on the zinc also...I will be making 8 oz bottles. I stink at math!!!! Help!!! Thanks!!!

[Jax69]

I've been wanting to create my own Sunscreen, so this recipe sounds great. Wanted to know a couple of things. If I wanted SPF30+, I work outdoors and have been using the Sport brands of sunscreen, what would the mixture be? For scents instead of using scented oils, I'm a guy so smelling like an orange or strawberry doesn't really make me comfortable though smelling like a coconut doesn't bother me (go figure), anyways can I add my favorite cologne instead or does that mess up the chemical reactions? Otherwise I really want to try this Sunscreen.

[hanan adam]

there is no need for SPF 30 because SPF15 sunscreen blocks about 93% of UVB rays, SPF30 sunscreen blocks about 97% of UVB rays and an SPF50 blocks 98% of UVB rays. So SPF30 sunscreen does not give you twice the protection of SPF15 sunscreen! And an SPF50 sunscreen is only 1% more effective than an SPF30 sunscreen. In fact, the FDA (the US agency that governs drugs like sunscreens) does not allow any sunscreen to be labeled as anything higher than SPF30+ because they know that higher SPF sunscreens do not offer significantly greater protection, and that such products are misleading to consumers. Currently any sunscreen labeled with and SPF greater than 30 (or without a 'Drug Facts' label) is 'misbranded' under Section 502 of the Federal Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act
Dr. Hanan

[jhante]

One of the big lotion manufacturers (maybe Aveeno?) just started advertising SPF 100...

[jwilliamsen]

Actually, I'm a 100% white guy (a "1" on the scale of whiteness - the standard by which all other whiteness is measured) and I burn very quickly with anything less than SPF 50. I've been described as "translucent" - lol. While SPF 30 may be enough for most people, some people with very fair skin need a lot more protection because most fair-skinned people don't have much natural protection in the form of melanin . In *theory* SPF 15 is fine - but in practice - not for everyone. I've actually gotten pretty burned on a rainy day - lol. Strange but true.... The only downside to mixing your own sunscreen that I can see is the lack of sweat-resistance - but for day-to-day exposure, this is great!

[miafrieda]

That's because of the amount used, when higher the SPF, higher the amount of sunscreen/sunblock ingredient used. It's like you're completely coating your skin in such ingredient. I would recommend you definitely should use a zinc oxide based sunblock if you're not using it, it forms a coat on your skin that's even visible, that's why many people complains that physical sunblocks leave a white cast on their skin, but surely you, with your pale skin won't have that problem, and it blocks the rays, won't absorb them like sunscreen does, so it definitely works much better at protecting.

[jhante]

I'm like you, I need extremely high SPF. I've finally, in the past few years, taken to wearing a shirt over my bathing suit, even in the pool and ocean. It's the only way I don't burn!

[__jsw__]

Actually, SPF30 _does_ give you twice the protection. With SPF15, you get 1/15 the UV of no sunscreen (blocks 14/15, lets 1/15 through). ~93% is 14/15, and the ~7% remaining is the 1/15 that's allowed through. With SPF30, 29//30 is blocked and 1/30 of the UV is allowed through. SPF15 allows 2/30 (1/15) through, so, yes, SPF30 allows half the UV through that SPF15 does. Does it block twice as much? No. But that's misuse of math. What matters with sunscreen is how much it allows _through_. SPF15 lets twice as much UV get to your skin as SPF30. With SPF50, only 1/50 of the original rays are allowed through, meaning SPF50 will allow you to stay out over three times as long as SPF15 for a given UV dose.

[miafrieda]

@jsw, anyway, the point is that no SPF can fully block the UV rays and the difference of protection between an SPF30 and an SPF50 is actually minimal, it will always allow some amount of radiation through. So I do also consider that "SPF50" stuff as misleading, because people do actually believe that when higher the SPF, better the protection, and they can go under the sun as much as they want because they're "well protected" and that's just not true. What they don't know, is that not only a sunscreen needs to be reapplied frequently to really be well protected, but that also IS necessary to be out of sun as much as possible because any SPF will allow at least a small amount of UV radiation to pass through, and it will definitely accumulate during all that time they're under the sun, causing obvious skin problems. If not properly covered from the sun, not even an SPF100 can do that job.

[somallon]

Hi Jax69. I am no expert but it appears to me that if you up-specked the ingredients you would get spf 30+. that being said, i don't know how much would be too much.. (could you make spf 400+ ) As for the cologne, my thinking is that you could scent it with any thing you liked, but the alcohol/solvent base in the cologne might be too harsh for your facial skin (more sensitive) cheers, good luck.