DIY Sunscreen Lotion Bars

These natural sunscreen lotion bars help protect your skin from the sun while leaving your skin soft and moisturized. 

If you enjoy DIYing your skincare, you will want to try this sunscreen lotion bar! It’s rich in skin-nurturing oils like shea butter and coconut and contains zinc oxide, a mineral that builds a protective layer on the skin that helps to block UVA and UVB rays. Note: if you’d rather make a sunscreen lotion, try my Coconut Oil Sunscreen recipe!

The combination of the oils, beeswax, and zinc oxide makes this lotion bar a great option for those looking for natural sun protection. 

DIY Sunscreen Lotion Bars

For this recipe, you will need shea butter, coconut oil, beeswax, zinc oxide, and essential oils (optional).

Melt the shea butter, coconut oil, and beeswax in a double boiler. Once the wax and oils have melted, remove the pot from the heat and allow it to cool, but don’t let it solidify. 

Once the mixture has cooled, add the zinc oxide and mix well. Then, add the essential oils and continue to mix, ensuring the essential oils and zinc oxide thoroughly mix into each other. 

Pour the mixture into lotion bar silicon molds. Allow the sunscreen lotion bars to set and harden for about 3 hours.

Once the bars have set, remove them from the molds and store them in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. 

Precaution: Always do a skin patch test before applying a new product to your skin. To do this, use a small amount of the lotion on your hand and allow it to sit on your skin for 5-10 minutes. Check the skin for irritation or skin discoloration. 

How To Use: Rub the lotion bars between the palms of your hands. The oils and wax will begin to melt as you rub the bars. Rub the oil over the skin and desired areas. 

Watch The Video Tutorial Here:

Ingredient Substitutions

• Shea Butter: You can use coconut oil or mango butter instead of shea butter. Mango butter makes lotion bars harder, while coconut oil makes them softer. 
• Coconut Oil: You can use shea butter or mango butter instead of coconut oil. 
• Beeswax: Wax is essential for making these lotion bars. You can use carnauba wax instead but note that this wax takes some time to melt and will result in a stiffer lotion bar. 
• Essential Oils: You may leave the essential oils out of this recipe if you prefer. Note that you should use sun-safe oils on your skin. Some oils, such as lemon and bergamot, are photosensitive and may burn your skin when in contact with the sun. 

Sunscreen Lotion Bars FAQ

How do I use lotion bars?

Rub the lotion bars between the palms of your hands. The oils and wax will begin to melt as you rub the bars. Then, rub the melted oil over your skin and desired areas.

How long will these sunscreen lotion bars last?

When stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place, these sunscreen lotion bars should last for several months.

Are there any precautions I should take when using these lotion bars?

Always do a skin test before applying a new product to your skin. Ensure that the essential oils you use are not photosensitive to avoid skin irritation or burns. Always patch-test new skincare products on a small area of your skin to check for adverse reactions.

Can I use these lotion bars on my face?

Yes, you can use these lotion bars on your face, but be cautious around the eyes. If you have sensitive skin, do a patch test first to ensure there is no irritation.

Related:

• Insect Repellent Lotion Bars
• Lavender Lotion Bars
• Coconut Oil Sunscreen
• DIY After Sun Spray

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