I mentioned in a thread over in F&F that I had a homemade sunblock recipe, and it has generated A LOT of interest. So rather than cleaning out my PM box every few hours, I decided to just post it here.
Homemade Sunblock
Get on eBay, order one pound each zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. (These are white powders. They are naturally occurring and nontoxic, but avoid breathing in their dust if you can. This is not a good project for children.) Add one tablespoon of each to one cup of your favorite lotion for an SPF of ~30. Blend very well. As this sits, it combines better and better. It may make you look somewhat pale, and you need to rub it into your skin really well.
To make your own lotion, combine coconut oil, shredded cocoa butter, a few capsules worth of Vitamin E oil (preservative), distilled water, and shredded beeswax (emulsifier). Making your own lotion has a couple advantages. The coconut oil naturally has an SPF of ~4, so that increases your protection. The beeswax makes the lotion somewhat waterproof.
For REALLY waterproof protection, apply a lot of homemade sunblock to dry skin. You may need to do this more than once. The idea is to get your skin to absorb as much of the homemade sunblock as possible. Once your skin has had a chance to do the absorbing and is at least somewhat dry again, apply a THIN layer of commercial waterproof sunblock or sunscreen. I like California Baby, even though it is $17 for a little tube, because it is sunblock (not a chemical sunscreen) and therefore never goes bad. I have had the same tiny tube for three years because I only need to use a tiny bit at a time. If California Baby is unavailable to you, WaterBabies by Coppertone is a decent second choice. This is a chemical preparation, so it will go bad after one year. If your skin is full of mineral sunblock, the outer waterproof layer of chemical sunscreen will not soak in, and minimize the skin’s irritation response because it’s not in direct (or as direct) contact with the chemicals.
I have used homemade sunscreen on an infant under six months with doctor’s approval and no adverse affects. I use it daily on my 1 year old and she has never had any sort of problem. I use it on my face daily, and it is wonderful. All chemical sunscreens, even Oil of Olay for Sensitive Skin, broke me out terribly. The homemade stuff NEVER has.
Homemade Sunblock
Get on eBay, order one pound each zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. (These are white powders. They are naturally occurring and nontoxic, but avoid breathing in their dust if you can. This is not a good project for children.) Add one tablespoon of each to one cup of your favorite lotion for an SPF of ~30. Blend very well. As this sits, it combines better and better. It may make you look somewhat pale, and you need to rub it into your skin really well.
To make your own lotion, combine coconut oil, shredded cocoa butter, a few capsules worth of Vitamin E oil (preservative), distilled water, and shredded beeswax (emulsifier). Making your own lotion has a couple advantages. The coconut oil naturally has an SPF of ~4, so that increases your protection. The beeswax makes the lotion somewhat waterproof.
For REALLY waterproof protection, apply a lot of homemade sunblock to dry skin. You may need to do this more than once. The idea is to get your skin to absorb as much of the homemade sunblock as possible. Once your skin has had a chance to do the absorbing and is at least somewhat dry again, apply a THIN layer of commercial waterproof sunblock or sunscreen. I like California Baby, even though it is $17 for a little tube, because it is sunblock (not a chemical sunscreen) and therefore never goes bad. I have had the same tiny tube for three years because I only need to use a tiny bit at a time. If California Baby is unavailable to you, WaterBabies by Coppertone is a decent second choice. This is a chemical preparation, so it will go bad after one year. If your skin is full of mineral sunblock, the outer waterproof layer of chemical sunscreen will not soak in, and minimize the skin’s irritation response because it’s not in direct (or as direct) contact with the chemicals.
I have used homemade sunscreen on an infant under six months with doctor’s approval and no adverse affects. I use it daily on my 1 year old and she has never had any sort of problem. I use it on my face daily, and it is wonderful. All chemical sunscreens, even Oil of Olay for Sensitive Skin, broke me out terribly. The homemade stuff NEVER has.
Just an FYI though for those making this - you'll need to use it quickly - like within a week or so. Vit E is an antioxidant (prevents rancidity) but not really a preservative so you'll quickly get bacteria and fangi growing in your lotion 
just clicked "send" before I finished my thought....
: Does mommy brain EVER improve?
: I haven't had any problems, but I may do the bleach and borax treatment if I make a large quantity at some point.
