🌞 Embracing Nature: My Journey to Homemade Tallow Sunblock

Homemade Tallow Sunblock Recipes (for Safe, Strong Summer Skin)

By Momma J – Rooted in tradition, crafted for wellness

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There’s nothing quite like a good Alaskan summer—the sun finally sticks around, the kids run wild barefoot, and the garden starts giving back. But one thing I don’t mess around with anymore? Sunscreen.

After years of slathering chemical creams on my babies’ faces, I took a hard look at the ingredients. What I found wasn’t comforting—hormone disruptors, carcinogens, and skin irritants that absorb directly into the bloodstream. I needed something better. Something I could trust.

So I turned to grass-fed tallow and non-nano zinc oxide—and haven’t looked back.

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Why I Use Homemade Tallow Sunblock

Oxybenzone, octinoxate, and similar chemicals found in most sunscreens have been linked to:

Hormone disruption

Schlumpf et al., Environmental Health Perspectives, 2001

Skin cell damage and free radical generation when exposed to sunlight

Hanson et al., Free Radical Biology & Medicine, 2006

Accelerated development of skin tumors when used with UV exposure

U.S. National Toxicology Program, Technical Report, 2012

That’s not protection—that’s a risk.

So now, our family uses real protection: nourishing tallow, skin-identical fats, broad-spectrum zinc oxide, and nothing that doesn’t belong on a child’s cheek.

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Benefits of Tallow for Sun Protection

Rich in vitamins A, D, E, and K, which aid in skin repair, barrier strength, and immune response

Elias & Feingold, Skin Barrier, 2005

Closely mimics human skin lipids for better absorption and barrier protection

Pappas et al., Dermatoendocrinology, 2009

Naturally anti-inflammatory, healing, and safe for sensitive skin

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Two Ways to Make It:

Choose the version that fits your family best!

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1. Lotion-Style Sunblock (for Jars or Tins)

Great for whole-body application.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup grass-fed tallow

1 tbsp beeswax (optional for thicker texture)

2 tbsp non-nano zinc oxide (don’t inhale)

1 tbsp arrowroot powder

1 tbsp jojoba or sweet almond oil

Bug-Repelling Essential Oil Blend (~30 drops total):

10 drops lemongrass (high in citral, effective against Alaskan species)

8 drops cedarwood (long-lasting deterrent)

6 drops clove bud (potent mosquito killer, but use lightly)

4 drops lavender (soothes skin and softens the clove scent)

2 drops eucalyptus (radiata or citriodora) (optional—very strong)

Optional: 3–5 drops neem oil (if tolerated—strong smell but highly effective)

Instructions:

1. Gently melt tallow and beeswax in a double boiler.

2. Remove from heat. Whisk in jojoba oil and arrowroot powder.

3. Slowly stir in zinc oxide.

4. Add essential oils. Stir again.

5. Pour into clean glass jars or tins and let cool.

Notes: Shelf-stable. Smooth texture. Works well on arms, legs, and even babies' backs.

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2. Sunblock Stick (for Deodorant Tubes or Rollers)

Mess-free, fast application for faces, ears, noses, and kids on the move.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup tallow

1/4 cup beeswax pastilles

2 tbsp non-nano zinc oxide

1 tbsp arrowroot powder

1 tbsp jojoba or almond oil

15–20 drops essential oils (bug-repelling mix: lavender, cedarwood, lemongrass, see above.)

Instructions:

1. Melt tallow, beeswax, and oil in a double boiler.

2. Remove from heat and whisk in arrowroot powder.

3. Add zinc oxide carefully.

4. Stir in essential oils.

5. Pour into empty deodorant tubes or push-up rollers. Let cool completely.

Notes: Holds shape in the heat. Great for diaper bags, backpacks, and tractor cup holders.

The Bonus: Built-In Bug Repellent

One of my favorite things about this sunblock recipe? You don’t need a separate bug spray. The essential oils in it do double duty:

Lavender: Calms the skin and naturally deters mosquitoes

Study: Kim et al., “Repellent activity of lavender oil against mosquitoes,” Journal of Vector Ecology, 2015

Cedarwood: A natural insect deterrent used in homesteads and cabins for generations

Known to disrupt insect pheromones and keep pests away

Lemongrass or Citronella: Proven to repel a variety of flying insects

Study: Trongtokit et al., “Comparative repellency of 38 essential oils,” Phytotherapy Research, 2005

Optional: Clove & Eucalyptus: Strong mosquito fighters—use sparingly due to potency

Together, they make your skin smell pleasant to you—but not to bugs. Perfect for long days in the garden, around the firepit, or on a trail.

Final Thoughts from the Homestead

At the end of the day, I don’t need a lab to tell me what’s safe—I just need to see how my kids' skin glows, how they don’t burn, and how they stay bug-free without harsh chemicals.

These recipes are a simple way to protect what matters most: your family's health.

So here’s to long hikes, backyard campouts, beach days, berry picking, and watching the sun dip behind the trees while your little ones are still sticky with watermelon juice. I hope your summer is full of laughter, skin that glows from real nourishment—not chemicals—and memories that smell faintly of lavender and tallow.

Have a sun-safe, joy-filled, family-loving summer way, stay rooted

just the way it ought to be.

— Momma J