Okay, so, I finally got around to trying this homemade sunblock thing I’ve been reading about online. Figured, why not? Store-bought stuff is expensive, and I’m always looking for ways to be a little more…self-sufficient, I guess.
First things first, I gathered my supplies. This is where it got a little…interesting. The recipes I saw called for things like coconut oil, shea butter, beeswax, and zinc oxide. Sounded easy enough, right?
- Coconut Oil: Got a big jar of that stuff. Use it for everything. Cooking, skin, you name it.
- Shea Butter: Had to order this online. Amazon to the rescue!
- Beeswax: Found some at a local farmer’s market. The lady selling it seemed a little surprised I was buying it in the middle of October, but hey, no judgment, right?
- Zinc Oxide: This was the tricky one. Had to do some digging to find a reputable source. Ended up ordering it from a place that sells soap-making supplies. Seemed legit.
Alright, time to actually make the stuff. I pretty much just followed one of the recipes I found online. It went something like this:
- Melted the coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax together in a double boiler. I don’t actually have a double boiler, so I just used a glass bowl over a pot of simmering water. Worked fine.
- Once everything was melted and smooth, I took it off the heat and let it cool down a bit. This is important, don’t want to burn yourself or mess up the zinc oxide.
- Then, I carefully mixed in the zinc oxide. The recipe said to use a mask when handling it, and I’m glad I did. That stuff is powdery and gets everywhere.
- Stirred it all together until it was evenly distributed. It took a while, but eventually, it looked like a thick, creamy lotion.
- Poured it into a jar and let it cool completely.
The consistency was a bit grainy at first, probably because the beeswax. But after a day, it smoothed out a little. The smell was nice, mostly coconut-y.
The Test
Of course, the real test was whether it actually worked. I slathered some on my arm and went out for a walk on a sunny day. I gotta say, I was skeptical. But after an hour, my arm wasn’t burned! It actually seemed to work pretty well.
I’ve been using it for a few days now, and so far, so good. No sunburns! I’m not sure if it’s as effective as the store-bought stuff, and I definitely wouldn’t rely on it for a full day at the beach. But for everyday use, it seems to do the trick. And hey, at least I know what’s in it!
Would I make it again? Probably. It was a fun little project, and it’s nice to have a natural sunblock option. Plus, it’s way cheaper than buying it at the store.
Just a heads up, do your research before trying this. Make sure you’re getting your ingredients from reputable sources, and be careful when handling zinc oxide. Safety first, people!
