In this episode we teach you how to make your own high spf, water proof sunblock from organic and natural ingredients for pennies on the dollar compared to buying it off the shelf. Ingredients include- zinc oxide (sunblocking agent), coconut oil (soothes and conditions skin), bee’s wax (waterproofing agent), and tea tree oil (soothes and repairs skin and smells good too). Rub on and paddle out.
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January 27th, 2010
Rad stuff again and again. Any idea of relative SPF and waterproofness? My first, totally out of the blue assumption is that you can up the strength by adding more zinc? When it’s not 5/4 weather anymore I’m definitely going to do a comparison of this stuff to store bought. Hopefully I won’t wind up with a torched arm.
January 28th, 2010
Hey Jack, The spf is pretty high (around 30-40 spf) because of the high percentage of zinc oxide. The oxidized metals in any sunblock formula are what protect you from the sun’s uv rays best- whether its zinc or titanium dioxide. Sure, you can add more zinc to preference depending on your skin type and the strength of sun in your area. The stuff is really waterproof thanks to the bee’s wax (again you can add more of that if find it rubs off)…
February 1st, 2010
Perfect. Good lookin out man. I’ma make me some as soon as I’m not coated head to toe in a 6/5/4.
May 5th, 2010
Thanks for this recipe. I do have a question though–how much tea tree oil do you suggest? The amount is not listed.
TIA
May 14th, 2010
@donna
just a 2-3 drops is fine, tea tree oil is potent stuff!
August 29th, 2010
Thanks for all the great tips. I have a question – is there a difference between bees oil and bees wax? I used bees wax, and when the sunblock cooled, it was solid like a candle. I used all the same measurements as you, so I’m guessing it has to be a problem with the beeswax…
September 22nd, 2010
Were do you buy all the stuff to make it. I could only find the tea tree oil.
November 15th, 2010
i hear its possible to use just the zinc oxide as sunscreen
December 26th, 2010
Where can you get the bee oil?
December 26th, 2010
we’ve tried it with both Bee’s Oil (bee’s wax mixed with petroleum and other oils) and Bee’s Wax. We suggest bee’s wax. Just use 1/2 of suggested amount.
January 10th, 2011
bee’s oil is used for food type wooden products. like a wooden salad bowl or wooden cutting board. you should be able to get it at a ‘bed bath and beyond’ type of store. but i guess the korduroy admin people said that bees wax works better.
February 12th, 2011
I use zinc oxide and coconut oil and it is fully water proof. I also add some coffee to give it a skintone color. you need to make the coffee super concentrated and cook it down to get the water out and your left with coffee oil.do this on low heat so the coffee oil doesn’t stick to the pot too much.mix the zinc with the coffee oil to get the desired color then mix in the coconut oil. if you don’t mind looking like a ghost just zinc and coconut oil work fine.
October 9th, 2011
This is rad Cy, who’d a thunk.
December 7th, 2011
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January 12th, 2012
Dope! How long can I store this for? I’m assuming this stuff is better for the ocean compared to regular sunscreen.