Natural Sunscreen with Zinc Oxide

There are only two things about summer I really can’t stand – sunburns and the smell of sunscreen. But as a fair-skinned maven, both are pretty much always on the menu. Nevertheless, I always deal with the smell because at least I’ll get used to it after a while; now a burn on the other hand never feels good! Coconut oil has been used a sunscreen for generations in the South Pacific, and there’s some belief it holds anywhere from an SPF 4 to SPF 10. While this may be enough for some lucky people possessing way more melanin than myself, I created a sunblock with a little more power behind it.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Ready for a day in the sun!

Kelapo Coconut Oil
Shea Butter
Essential Oil (optional)
Zinc Oxide Powder

  1. Mix coconut oil and shea butter, in a two-to-one ratio, in a pot over low heat until melted together
  2. Remove from heat and whisk in essential oil
  3. Add two parts zinc oxide powder
  4. Put into wide-mouth jar and let sit overnight

The percentage of zinc oxide in the mixture (in this case 40%) determines your SPF. If your mixture is 15% zinc oxide, it’s between a SPF 12 – 19. If you make this recipe exactly, it ends up being around SPF 68.  The American Melanoma Association recommends using at least an SPF 15 on a daily basis to help protect against skin cancer, so you can use a little less zinc oxide and still get plenty of sun barrier.

I did read you can add two teaspoons beeswax to help make your homemade sunscreen waterproof. How great is that! Now, because accidents happen, if you miss a spot or forget the sunscreen altogether, you can also use Kelapo Coconut Oil as a relief for your burn.

Stay safe and enjoy the weekend!

-Michelle

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