DIY Homemade Sunscreen Recipe – Natural, Vegan & SPF 50

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Looking for a natural, vegan, and reef-safe sunscreen that actually works?

Then you’ll love this easy DIY sunscreen recipe. It’s simple, effective, and allows you to have complete control over what goes on your skin.

Plus, it’s ~SPF 50, offering strong sun protection, making it ideal for surfing and long sun exposure! We’ll look into:

Why make your DIY sunscreen?

No harmful chemicals

Many commercial sunscreens contain questionable ingredients that can harm your health and the environment. They often contain oxybenzone, octinoxate, and parabens, which have been linked to hormone disruption and coral reef damage. By making your own, you avoid toxic chemicals and instead use nourishing, skin-friendly ingredients.

Eco-friendly

Chemical sunscreens wash off into oceans when swimming, harming marine life and coral reefs. This natural DIY sunscreen is reef-safe, making it an eco-friendly choice. Plus, commercial sunscreens come in plastic tubes, creating tons of plastic waste.

By making your DIY sunscreen, you can easily find all ingredients in bulk, and then store the sunscreen in reusable tins or glass jars. Even if some ingredients come in plastic (like my zinc oxide, for example), I can still make multiple batches of sunscreen that last a long, long time.

Customize for your skin

Many sunscreens contain fragrances, preservatives, and alcohol that may irritate sensitive skin. With homemade sunscreen, you can control the ingredients and make it as moisturizing or lightweight as you like!

Need more reasons?

• It’s 100% vegan & cruelty-free. No beeswax, parabens, or synthetic bullsh*t.
• Offers SPF 50 protection. Uses non-nano zinc oxide for broad-spectrum UV protection.
• Mosquito & insect repellent, if you add a few special essential oils!
• Nourishing & hydrating. Made with shea butter, jojoba oil, and candelilla wax. Yum
• Budget-friendly. Eco-friendly sunscreens can be quite pricey, like 20-30 euros for a small tin. Collecting all ingredients may require some more cash upfront, but then you can make lots of batches. Plus, a little goes a long way!

Ingredients & substitutions

Each ingredient in this DIY sunscreen serves a purpose beyond just sun protection. Here’s a breakdown of why they’re included, how much SPF they provide, and possible substitutions if needed:

Shea butter

Shea moisturizes, soothes, and adds a creamy texture. Rich in vitamins and fatty acids, shea butter nourishes the skin while providing mild sun protection. It is also great for sensitive or dry skin.

SPF: ~6 SPF

Substitutes: Mango butter – lighter feel, absorbs faster, or cocoa butter – firmer texture, more occlusive

Jojoba oil

Jojoba oil closely mimics the skin’s natural oils, making it great for all skin types. It is a good base for all the ingredients to blend smoothly. It also hydrates the skin, without clogging pores, and makes spreading a bit easier. 

SPF: ~5 SPF

Substitutes: Argan oil – lightweight, great for sensitive skin, or grapeseed oil – non-greasy, good for acne-prone skin

Candelilla wax 

Candelilla wax helps create a barrier on the skin, making the sunscreen more resistant to sweat and water. It also gives the sunscreen a thicker consistency, making it water resistant, and helping it stay on longer.

SPF Contribution: None, but enhances longevity.

Substitutes: Carnauba wax – firmer texture

4. Non-nano zinc oxide 

This is the key ingredient that makes this sunscreen actually work! Unlike oils, which offer weak and unreliable UVB protection, non-nano zinc oxide provides true broad-spectrum coverage, blocking both UVA and UVB rays. It sits on the skin like a shield, reflecting harmful rays instead of absorbing them, preventing sunburn and skin damage.

SPF: ~50 SPF (when used at 25% concentration in this recipe) 

Substitutes: None! You need non-nano zinc oxide for effective sun protection.

Lavender essential oil

Lavender essential oil adds a light, calming scent while also providing antibacterial and soothing properties. Plus, it helps keep mosquitoes away, so it’s perfect if you’ll be spending time outside! It is not essential to the sunscreen’s effectiveness, but it adds a nice and pleasant scent and some skin benefits.

SPF: None.

Substitutes: Chamomile essential oil (extra soothing) or omit if you have very sensitive skin. If you want more insect protection, you can also add a few drops of eucalyptus or citronella essential oil.

Natural DIY sunscreen recipe (~SPF 50)

Materials

• Digital scale – For accurate measuring of ingredients (do not skip!)
• Reusable containers – Glass jars or aluminum tins to store your sunscreen
• Heatproof bowl – For melting ingredients (glass or stainless steel)
• Double boiler or small pot – To heat the oils and wax
• Silicone spatula or spoon – For mixing
• Fine mesh strainer or sifter – To prevent zinc oxide from clumping

Ingredients

• 14g shea butter
• 17g jojoba oil
• 7g candelilla wax
• 15g non-nano zinc oxide
• ~10 drops lavender essential oil

Instructions

1. Melt the base ingredients.

Use a double boiler (or get a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water). Add the shea butter, jojoba oil, and candelilla wax. Stir until everything is fully melted.

2. Add the non-nano zinc oxide.

Sift the non-nano zinc oxide to remove any clumps. In a small bowl, mix it with a little of your liquid oil first to create a smooth paste – this step helps it blend evenly into the sunscreen without clumping.

3. Remove from heat & combine.
Once the wax and oils are fully melted, take the bowl off the heat. Let it cool slightly (so it’s still liquid but not too hot). Then, slowly stir in the zinc oxide paste, mixing thoroughly to create a smooth, even texture.

4. Add essential oil.

Once the mixture has cooled but is still liquid, mix in the lavender essential oil.

5. Pour & set!

Pour the mixture into a clean, dry tin and let it set at room temperature. It won’t take long.

How to use & store your DIY sunscreen

Application: Apply generously before sun exposure.
Reapply: Every 2 hours, especially after swimming.
Storage: Keep in a cool place to prevent melting.

Total SPF estimate & volume

With zinc oxide at 25%, this recipe provides ~SPF 50 protection. This recipe makes approximately 60ml of sunscreen, enough to fill a small jar or tin. 

Extra tips

🌞 Want a softer texture? Reduce the candelilla wax to 4g.
🌿 Need extra hydration? Add 1-2g of vitamin E oil.
🤎For a slight tint? Mix in a pinch of cocoa powder for a natural tint.
🧴Prefer a lotion-like consistency? Blend the final mixture with aloe vera gel before it sets.
🏄‍♂️ Using it for surfing? Add a bit more wax to make it longer-lasting and more water-resistant.

FAQ 

Is this DIY sunscreen safe?

Yes! This sunscreen is made with natural, non-toxic ingredients. It’s reef-safe, making it better for the environment, too. However, like any sunscreen, be sure to patch-test first if you have sensitive skin.

Nano zinc vs. non-nano zinc – what’s the difference?

Non-nano zinc oxide has larger particles that stay on the skin’s surface to reflect UV rays. Nano zinc oxide has smaller particles that can absorb into the skin and possibly enter the bloodstream. So, we use non-nano because it’s safer and doesn’t get absorbed into your body.

How do I clean up this sticky mess?

Zinc-based sunscreen can be hard to wash off, and regular dish soap doesn’t really make it any easier. What worked for me was a body soap bar. I wasn’t sure why, to be honest, but then I read online that it breaks down the oils and wax much better than liquid soap.

How do I prevent zinc oxide from clumping?

Zinc oxide can be tricky to mix evenly, but there are a few simple tricks to keep it smooth. First, sift it before adding it to break up any clumps.

Then, instead of dumping it straight into the mixture, blend it with a little oil first to create a smooth paste – this helps it incorporate better.

Make sure to add it after removing your mixture from heat when it has cooled slightly but is still liquid. Finally, whisk thoroughly to ensure even distribution.

Is DIY sunscreen as effective as store-bought?

If made correctly with 25% non-nano zinc oxide, homemade sunscreen can offer about SPF 50 protection. However, since it’s homemade and not tested, reapply frequently.

Can I make it water-resistant?

It is already water-resistant because of candelilla wax. However, water resistant doesn’t mean fully waterproof so reapply after swimming. 

Does homemade sunscreen expire?

Since it has no preservatives, it lasts about 3-6 months if stored in a cool, dark place.

Can I use titanium dioxide instead of zinc oxide?

Zinc oxide offers better broad-spectrum protection (both UVA & UVB), so it’s the preferred option for DIY sunscreens.

Which essential oils should you avoid?

Avoid citrus oils like lemon, lime, bergamot, and grapefruit, as they can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.

Can I use this on my face?

Yes, but only if you don’t have acne-prone skin. Otherwise, it may clog your pores (due to shea butter), and it is generally best to avoid. 

Is this DIY sunscreen good for surfing?

Yes! It works great for surfing and other water activities – tested & approved by my surfer boyfriend. 🏄‍♂️ To make it even more water-resistant, you can increase the amount of candelilla wax in the recipe. This helps it stay on longer, even in the waves. And because all-natural sunscreens wear off over time, make sure to reapply after your surf sessions for the best protection.

Looking for store-bought eco-friendly sunscreen?

If you love the idea of natural sunscreen but don’t have time to DIY, check out my guide to the best eco-friendly sunscreen brands here:

🔗Non-Toxic & Zero Waste Sunscreens: 14 Natural & Reef-Safe Brands

Final thoughts

With this DIY vegan sunscreen, you’ll enjoy all-natural protection without harmful chemicals. 

Plus, it nourishes the skin, smells amazing, and is gentle enough for sensitive skin.

Would you try making your own sunscreen? Let me know in the comments. 🙂