Homemade tallow sunscreen | DIY sun protection
The sun's shining in the UK, despite the best efforts to dim it, and many of us are enjoying a proper British summer outdoors.
Whilst we all want to protect our skin from the sun’s harmful rays, if you’ve ever turned over the bottle of a typical high-street sunscreen, you’ll likely have spotted a long list of ingredients you can’t pronounce.
Oxybenzone? Octocrylene? Parabens? No, thank you.
If you’re after a gentler, natural and genuinely skin-loving alternative, you’re in the right place.
Why tallow sunscreen?
Tallow might not be the first thing that springs to mind when thinking about skincare, let alone sun protection.
But hear us out, this traditional fat, rendered from grass-fed beef suet, is packed with nutrients and can help many common skin conditions. Rich in vitamins A, D, E, and K, tallow closely resembles the oils naturally produced by our skin, making it incredibly nourishing and healing.
When paired with non-nano zinc oxide (a natural mineral sunblock), tallow becomes a perfect base for a gentle, effective sunscreen. And the best bit? It’s free from harsh chemicals, parabens, and synthetic fragrances, just pure, skin-kind ingredients.
DIY tallow sunscreen recipe (without beeswax)
SPF Estimate: ~20–30 (not lab-tested)
Skin Type: Great for dry to normal skin
Shelf Life: 6–12 months if stored in a cool, dark place
Ingredients
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60g grass-fed tallow (preferably organic)
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30g coconut oil (unrefined, extra virgin)
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15g shea butter (unrefined)
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20g non-nano zinc oxide powder ( Expect a slight white cast, which shows where coverage is, and do not inhale)
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5–10 drops essential oil (optional – lavender, chamomile, or carrot seed work well)
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1 tsp vitamin E oil (optional, as a preservative and for extra nourishment)
Note: All measurements are in grams for UK kitchens – easy to weigh with a digital scale.
Equipment
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Double boiler (or a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water)
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Stainless steel spoon or whisk
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Clean glass jar or tin (100–120ml capacity)
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Gloves and mask (for handling zinc oxide)
Homemade sunscreen with tallow
This tallow sunscreen is deeply moisturising and free from the nasties found in conventional sunblocks. It’s perfect for anyone looking for a natural, zero-waste alternative, especially if you're into traditional skincare or ancestral beauty routines.
Zinc oxide tallow sunscreen method
Melt the fats: In a double boiler, gently melt the tallow, coconut oil, and shea butter until completely liquid.
Cool slightly: Remove from heat and let it cool for a few minutes, but not so much that it begins to solidify.
Add zinc oxide: Wearing a mask (and gloves if desired), carefully stir in the zinc oxide. Whisk until fully blended and no lumps remain.
Add extras: Stir in the vitamin E oil and essential oils if using.
Pour & store: Transfer the mixture to your jar or tin. Let it set at room temperature or pop it in the fridge to speed things up.
How to use
Apply a generous amount to the skin before sun exposure. Reapply every couple of hours, especially after swimming or sweating. This is a mineral sunscreen, so it forms a physical barrier and may leave a slight white cast, which helps indicate coverage.
Natural tallow sunscreen (coconut oil–free)
While coconut oil has its benefits, it can be comedogenic for some people, meaning it may clog pores and cause breakouts. If that’s you, skipping it is a great move. This version uses gentler, non-comedogenic ingredients that still give your skin plenty of love.
Ingredients
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60g grass-fed tallow (organic if possible)
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25g shea butter (unrefined – deeply moisturising and healing)
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15g jojoba oil (or sweet almond oil, rosehip oil, or olive oil – pick your favourite)
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20g non-nano zinc oxide powder (for UV protection – do not inhale)
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1 tsp vitamin E oil (optional – natural preservative and skin booster)
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5–10 drops essential oil (optional – lavender, chamomile, or carrot seed are skin-safe choices)
All measurements in grams for UK kitchens. Use a digital kitchen scale for accuracy.
Equipment
-
Heatproof bowl or double boiler
-
Whisk or spoon for stirring
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Small glass jar or tin (100–120ml)
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Mask and gloves (recommended when handling zinc oxide)
Homemade sunscreen with tallow method
Melt the base: In a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of gently simmering water, melt the tallow and shea butter until fully liquefied.
Add the liquid oil: Once melted, remove from heat and stir in your chosen liquid oil (jojoba, almond, etc.).
Cool slightly: Let the mixture cool a little—just enough so it won’t degrade the zinc oxide but remains pourable.
Add zinc oxide: Wearing a dust mask, slowly sprinkle in the zinc oxide powder while whisking constantly. Make sure it’s evenly incorporated with no clumps.
Add vitamin E and essential oils: Stir in your optional vitamin E oil and essential oil drops.
Pour & set: Pour the mixture into a clean, dry jar or tin. Allow to cool and set at room temperature, or pop it into the fridge for faster setting.
Store in a cool, dark place for up to 6–12 months.
How to use
Apply liberally to clean skin before going out in the sun. Reapply every 1.5–2 hours, or after swimming or sweating.
If you're after a nourishing, coconut oil–free sunscreen that protects and heals the skin at the same time, this tallow-based recipe is for you. Made with wholesome ingredients and no synthetic chemicals, it’s suitable for all skin types—especially sensitive or acne-prone skin.
Do remember: since these recipe haven’t been lab-tested for SPF, it’s best for moderate sun exposure or short periods outside. For intense sun or prolonged time outdoors, you might want to pair it with hats and shade for added protection.
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