As summer heads this way, it is time to start thinking about sunscreen and beach vacations! Well, maybe you’re not leaving for your vacation yet, but you will still need sunscreen in the meantime. Try this all natural, DIY sunscreen recipe that is free of icky chemicals and ideal for sensitive skin. This recipe includes moisturizing coconut oil, shea butter, and red raspberry seed oil, all which protect your skin from the sun as well as zinc oxide— more on this ingredient later.

Ingredients for Natural Sun Protection

by Stephanie Gerber 

Oils
Using an oil to protect your skin seems counterintuitive, but several oils not only provide your skin nourishment but a dose of UVB ray protection as well.

Avocado oil – SPF 4-15
Olive oil – SPF 2-8
Coconut oil – SPF 4-6
Almond oil – SPF 5
Jojoba oil – SPF 4

Shea Butter
It naturally protects and conditions skin which has been damaged and offers a low level of UV protection (approximately SPF 6).

Red Raspberry Seed and Carrot Seed Oil
Both oils have naturally very high SPFs because the vitamin A, vitamin E and fatty acids they contain are at just the right balance to protect against UV rays. Red raspberry seed oil has a natural SPF of around 30 and carrot seed oil provides SPF 40 protection.

Zinc Oxide
Zinc oxide is unique among sunscreen ingredients in that it is truly a broad-spectrum blocker, protecting from UVA, UVB and even UVC rays. It’s safest to use non nano versions of zinc, as other types will absorb into the skin (Medical Study Source). Zinc oxide should be 20% of the sunscreen recipe in order to get an SPF 30, which for this sunscreen recipe equals roughly 2 tablespoons. You can add more zinc for more protection, but note that it will make the cream a bit thicker.

Sylvia of Love Natural Sunshine says: Zinc oxide should also be "uncoated," meaning that it is not covered by other chemicals during its processing.

Whipped Homemade Natural Sunscreen

Ingredients
1/4 cup coconut oil (this giant jar will last forever)
1/4 cup shea butter
1 teaspoon red raspberry seed oil
2 tablespoons zinc oxide (make sure it’s non nano)

Instructions
Melt coconut oil and shea butter in a bowl over warm water.
Add red raspberry seed oil and zinc oxide and stir together.
Cool in refrigerator for 30 minutes – 1 hour until you get a solid consistency.
Whip 3-5 minutes until you get a frosting like consistency.
Transfer to container with lid and store in a cool place.
Apply liberally. And always wear a hat and glasses!

If you are not the DIY type of person or you just don’t have the time to purchase these ingredients yourself, try using Badger Balm Suncreen as a natural alternative.