Just in time for winter! Sunscreen recipe!

My timing might not be particularly awesome. On the other hand, the sun does shine year round. (Although it isn’t making much of an appearance here today).

This recipe makes a sunscreen that contains emollient ingredients as well as zinc oxide. Shea butter and avocado oil also offer a small amount of sun protection factor (SPF 4-6). No matter what sunscreen you choose, follow the recommendations of the American Cancer Society for maximum benefit. Sun is serious.

SUNSCREEN

6 T. avocado oil
3 T. shea butter
1 T. beeswax
1 tsp. soy lecithin
1 capsule vitamin E
1 T. aloe vera gel
2 T. zinc oxide
3-5 drops essential oil (optional)

Melt the shea butter and beeswax in a double boiler. (If you want to see what this looks like, see photo in our Lotion Bar Recipe post.)

Wisk in the avocado oil, lecithin, aloe vera gel, zinc oxide, and essential oil.



(I like to whir it in the food processing container of my immersion blender.)


This sunscreen leaves a white sheen on skin from the zinc oxide, but it is not opaque. It is moderately oily and very conditioning.

I get my zinc oxide from a company called Essential Wholesale, but it is available from other soaping/cosmetics type suppliers as well.