What is Tallow Mineral Sunscreen (with Cocoa)?

I think it’s safe to say we all know commercial sunscreens are terrible for us. They are full of toxic chemicals and hormone disrupters known to cause cancer. When sunscreen is applied, it is quickly absorbed through the skin, our largest organ. I don’t know about you but I don’t want any of those ingredients absorbed into my body. So when it came to sunscreen, I started searching for alternatives and came across zinc oxide-based sunscreen. 

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is found in the mineral zincite and is commercially made by oxidizing metallic zinc at high temperatures. Why is it a better choice for sunscreens? Here are a few reasons. First, zinc oxide is not water-soluble, so it doesn’t wash off easily. Second, it blends well with nontoxic carrier agents like beeswax, often found in mineral sunscreens. Third, it also has been shown to have strong antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. Lastly, unlike conventional sunscreens, zinc oxide (non-nano zinc oxide only) doesn’t absorb into the skin rather it reflects the sun’s rays off your skin, acting as a protective barrier. When looking for or making a zinc oxide/mineral sunscreen you want to use non-nano minerals because they are large enough that they can not be absorbed into the skin, unlike nanoparticles. Regardless of the type or amount of sunscreen used, we all need to remember that getting the start of a sunburn is your body’s way of telling you that you have reached your sun exposure limit. Let’s listen to and honor our body’s wisdom. 

How to Make Tallow Mineral Sunscreen (with Cocoa)

Making your own Tallow Mineral Sunscreen is a quick non-toxic solution for your Summer days in the sun! Measuring and melting the ingredients will be the longest part.  I really enjoy adding cocoa powder to my sunscreen to give it a bit more skin tone color to it. Let’s get started!

Tools Needed:

• Kitchen scale
• Double boiler
• Spatula
• A few small mason jars with lids

Tallow Mineral Sunscreen (with Cocoa) Ingredients:

.5 oz Beeswax Pellets

1 oz Tallow – preferable from grass-fed/grass-finished beef

1 oz Organic Coconut Oil

1.5 oz Organic Olive Oil/ Jojoba Oil

1 oz Non-Nano Zinc Oxide

.5-1 ts Organic Cocoa Powder

*All ingredients are available in our shop! 

Directions for Tallow Mineral Sunscreen (with Cocoa):

1. Using a kitchen scale, measure out the ingredients. 
2. Using a double boiler, completely melt the beeswax, tallow/ tallow balm, and coconut oil. 
3. Add the jojoba or olive oil. Mix. 
4. Add the non-nano zinc oxide to the double boiler. Mix thoroughly. 
5. (Optional) Add ¼ ts at a time of cocoa powder until you achieve the desired color tint. I recommend .5-1ts per batch. Mix thoroughly. 
6. Decant in a few small mason jars. Scrap out the double boiler with a spatula. Allow to cool and solidify with the lids off. Store in a cool dry space and bring along on your next Summer lake day!

Written By: Jessica