I’ve been tweaked this homemade tanning oil recipe for years. When a friend recently asked for a natural tanning oil option, I realized it was a good time to share it.
While I occasionally use my homemade sunscreen for longer sun exposure, I generally prefer to get vitamin D straight from the sun in moderation. I prefer consuming my sunscreen through my diet over applying it to my skin.
Living near the beach, I often balance my time between soaking up the sun and relaxing in the shade with a good book. In these moments, I use natural oils that nourish and mildly protect my skin without blocking vitamin D, unlike many sunscreens do.
Most of my DIY skincare recipes are solid like lotion bars or body butters, but this tanning oil is a liquid, making it convenient for on-the-go use. If you want a more solid version, you can make it with virgin coconut oil, which firms up at temperatures below 76 degrees, and store it in a small jar.
There’s some debate around the effectiveness of natural oils as sunscreens. Over ten years ago, studies on raspberry seed oil and other natural oils suggested they had SPF values between 25 and 50. But newer research highlighted that these tests were done in lab settings and didn’t follow standard SPF testing protocols.
A 2021 study showed raspberry seed oil has an SPF closer to 2.6, not 25-50. Other oils like carrot seed, coconut, and wheat germ scored between 0 and 2.8. Anything below 1 SPF is essentially no sun protection at all.
Another study from 2010 evaluated SPF in carrier and essential oils, with carrier oils ranging from 2 to 8 SPF and essential oils from 1 to 7. Olive oil and peppermint essential oil had the highest scores, but again, these tests were not done on human skin and didn’t establish definitive SPF values.
Carrot seed oil did show an SPF around 7 when mixed with other ingredients, but it’s important to remember that these oils aren’t substitutes for regular sunscreen.
In my homemade tanning oil, I incorporated bronze mica powder for a soft glow, but you can skip this if you prefer. I added lavender and sandalwood essential oils for their skin benefits and aroma. If you choose sandalwood, ensure it’s sourced ethically since Indian sandalwood is going endangered, with the Australian variety being a more affordable option.
Feel free to swap out essential oils, just avoid phototoxic ones like bergamot and cold-pressed lime and lemon, which can cause severe skin burns if exposed to sunlight.
This mixture isn’t a sunscreen—it’s more of a gentle sun protectant recipe. Start with short sun exposure to see how your skin reacts and adjust as needed for your skin type.
Remember, sunburns are harmful and should be avoided. Avoid prolonged sun exposure, especially if your skin is sensitive. If you’re not able to tan naturally, this recipe won’t change that. I’m not endorsing the use of tanning beds; this is for moderate natural sun exposure. Consult a dermatologist if you’re unsure about the ingredients or how they might work for your skin type.
Have you tried tanning oil before? Thinking about going natural?
