Hi, I’m Kayla. I test stuff. I love a good project. Face masks, candles, sourdough… you name it. So when I kept seeing “homemade sunscreen” all over my feed, I thought, sure, I’ll try it.
If you want the full play-by-play of that adventure—complete with ingredient ratios, progress pics, and the moment I realized things were headed south—I put everything in this step-by-step diary: I Tried DIY Sunscreen So You Don’t Have To.
Here’s the thing: I’m fair. I freckle in, like, five minutes. I also react to heavy fragrance. So a custom mix sounded great. Cheaper, softer, simple. You know what? I really wanted it to work.
But I won’t share a recipe. Sunscreen is serious. It needs lab testing to show it protects from both UVA and UVB. You can’t eyeball SPF. I learned that the hard way. Independent testing by consumer watchdog CHOICE found that most homemade sunscreens hover around SPF 5, while the School of Natural Skincare warns there’s no reliable way to confirm a DIY blend’s protection without professional lab validation.
Why I Even Gave It a Shot
- I wanted fewer breakouts and no strong scent.
- I thought I could make a creamy balm that sits well under makeup.
- Also, I just like making things. It’s fun. Until it isn’t.
I followed two popular methods I saw online. One was a creamy jar version. One was a stick. I kept notes. I treated it like a real test, not a cute weekend craft.
How It Felt On My Skin
First swipe: soft and slick. Then… gritty? The finish looked a little chalky on my skin. It sat on top and didn’t blend well around hairline or brows. I saw streaks near my ears. Under makeup, it pilled—tiny rolls on my cheeks. Not cute.
The smell was “kitchen-y,” like warm oils. Not bad, just not “beach day.” My kid noticed and said, “Mom, you smell like pancakes.” Funny, but not what I want on a run.
Real-Life Tests I Ran
Because guessing is useless, I tested it three ways.
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Park test (late morning, about 3 hours): I did my left arm and shoulder with the DIY, right side with Neutrogena Ultra Sheer SPF 50. Hat on. Reapplied once. By evening, my left shoulder was pink, right side was fine. The line was clear.
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Beach day (90 minutes in and out of the water): The DIY melted fast. Sand stuck to it. My under-eyes went red. I wear contacts, and it stung when I sweat. I had to rinse with bottled water. Not fun.
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Short run (45 minutes, high UV): I used SPOTMYUV stickers. The stickers on my DIY side turned dark in about 35 minutes, which means “reapply now.” On my store sunscreen side, they stayed pale longer. That was a wake-up call.
One more small thing: it rubbed off on my black tote. White smears on the strap. I tried to wipe it with a baby wipe. Nope. Still there.
What Surprised Me Most
I thought more cream meant more safety. That’s not how it works. SPF is about tested protection and even coverage, not how thick it looks.
The DIY spread patchy. It clung to dry spots and missed tiny areas near my hairline. Those spots burned first—like a map of my mistakes.
Also, my son hated the feel. He squirmed away, which made me miss spots. Kids are honest.
But Isn’t Mineral Protection Good?
Mineral filters like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide can be great. I love Blue Lizard Sensitive and La Roche-Posay Anthelios for that. They’re lab-tested. They’re balanced for UVA and UVB. That part matters.
With a homemade mix, you don’t know the particle size, spread, or broad-spectrum coverage. Labels help. Guessing hurts. For an in-depth look at how professional labs validate SPF claims, I found a clear explainer from the Service Center Team that demystifies the whole process.
Where DIY Might Make Sense (Kind Of)
If you want a photo prop cream for a shoot. Or a body balm for dry elbows. Sure. As a true sunscreen for real sun? I can’t recommend it.
What I Use Now Instead
- For daily face (no white cast): Supergoop Unseen SPF 40
- For pool days and sweat: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-in Milk SPF 60
- For sensitive skin: Blue Lizard Sensitive SPF 50
- For budget: Coppertone Pure & Simple SPF 50
- For kids at the park: Banana Boat Baby Mineral SPF 50 plus a rash guard
I also keep SPOTMYUV stickers in my bag. They’re a neat check. And yes, I wear a hat with a brim. Fashion is cool. Not burning is cooler.
Little Tips That Help (No Recipes Here)
- Use enough. Think a nickel for face, a shot-glass amount for body.
- Reapply every 2 hours, and after swimming or heavy sweat.
- Don’t forget ears, tops of feet, and the “smile lines” under sunglasses.
- Check the UV index in your weather app. High UV? Shade breaks help.
Quick off-topic detour: once the sun’s down and you’ve nailed your daytime SPF routine, you might be looking for heat of a different kind. If endless dating-app swipes feel like a slog, you can cut straight to connecting with local sluts—a straightforward directory where location filters, candid profiles, and zero-fluff listings make lining up a casual meet-up fast and hassle-free.
If your plans happen to put you in Arizona’s Valley of the Sun and you’d rather slide into an in-person vibe than stay on the apps, swing by Tryst Tempe—their overview breaks down dress code, membership tiers, and upcoming event themes so you know exactly what to expect before stepping through the door.
My Bottom Line
DIY sunscreen felt crafty and cozy. But it didn’t protect me well. I got pink spots, patchy coverage, and stinging eyes. Sunscreen needs science, not vibes.
I still love making things at home—granola, candles, even soap. That said, I’ve also gone full-tilt on bigger builds—like the time I made my own countertops and documented what worked, what flopped, and what I’d do again—so I’m no stranger to lessons learned the hard way.
But for sun? I’ll stick with tested formulas, a rash guard, and a big goofy hat. Honest talk: I want future-me to thank present-me, not scold me.
If you have skin issues or reactions, chat with a dermatologist. I did. We fine-tuned a routine that keeps my freckles cute and my shoulders not crispy.
Would I try DIY sunscreen again? No. I wanted it to work. It didn’t. And the sun doesn’t grade on a curve.