How to: DIY Lavender Sunscreen

If you’re following along on Instagram or Snapchat (add me: sisoosarah) you probably know…I’ve been very very busy lately…swimming in the pool, checking on the waves, dining al fresco, and frolicking among the flowers and succulents. I MOVED TO LOS ANGELES JUNE 25th! Wooo! Oh glorious sunshine heaven, I’m so in love with this happy town.

I’m pretty excited to be out of the concrete jungle and spending more time in the sunny, moderate climate of LA. But I’ve already got my first sunburn while hanging on Santa Monica beach my first weekend here. This must be sunburn #23924839438948 of my life. Will I never learn?

Here’s the thing. I hate sunscreen. I don’t like the smell. I don’t like the oily, greasy feeling. I don’t like the break-outs I get from wearing it. I don’t like how thick it goes on. And I hate hate hate when you get a teeny bit in the corner of you eye and it waters uncontrollable for the following three hours.

I’m quirky about my daily products’ ingredients–especially if they contain chemicals. I check everything I use at EWG’S Skin Deep Guide to Cosmetics, a site that rates safety of 80,000 personal care products. I try to keep it natural for the most part. And I try to use as few products as possible. I’m drawn to earthy/botanical-based products, or I DIY as many products as I can–because then I really know what ingredients I’m working with. (Did you see my DIY de-puffing caffeine eye cream post?)

Enter zinc oxide, the miracle main ingredient for DIY sunscreen.  It’s is a fine white powder with astringent properties that physically (not chemically!!) works to provide 28 times the skin’s natural protections against harmful UVA & UVB rays. It’s the sunscreen of sunscreens people. Don’t believe me? Check out the reviews.

Say what? So are you ready for this DIY or what?

WHAT YOU NEED

4 eight ounce empty jars

32 ounces of your favorite scented or unscented body lotion (I used Whole Foods’ lavender body lotion, and then made a second batch with their citrus lotion. SO GOOD and only $7.99 for a 32 ounce bottle.)

cosmetic grade zinc oxide powder

silicone spatula for mixing and pouring

large bowl

tablespoon measuring spoon

stickers/labels for decorating (optional)

THE INSTRUCTIONS

1. Pour your lotion into the bowl.
2. Add 13-14 tbsp of zinc oxide powder for 32 ounces of lotion (that equals about 3.5 tbsp per 8 ounces). Add more if you want extra extra sun protection.
3. Stir with the silicone spatula thoroughly until smooth and fully mixed.
4. Pour into jars.
5. Add sticker or label for fun!
6. Apply about 30 minutes before exposure to sun.

 

Reasons I love zinc oxide DIY sunscreen:

• It’s not greasy. It controls oil without clogging pores, and is great for daily, repetitive use.
• It’s so cheap (I used to go through those $15 spray Coppertone bottles in like 1.5 days).
• I mix it with all my favorite lotions–including my all time favorite face lotion.
• It’s water-resistant.
• It’s an odor-free, chemical free, non-toxic, natural alternative.
• It mixes easily, rubs into skin well–especially if you use an emollient lotion.
• It’s the perfect solution for sensitive skin.
• Depending on what lotion you use, you’ll smell the way you want to smell (not like a sunscreen bottle).

 

Protect your skin with this simple DIY! I made a double batch for my family and friends in about 20 minutes. Could. Not. Be. Easier. I am so pumped that I’m no longer rubbing chemicals all over my body every day–especially now that I’m out in the year-round Los Angeles sunshine.

Please tag your DIYs with #thesarahjohnsonDIY so I can see what you make!

Enjoy the sunshine…