Set up a double boiler by placing a heat-safe glass bowl over a small saucepan with a few inches of water. Add the grass-fed beef tallow, mango butter, beeswax, and coconut oil to the bowl. Heat over medium-low, stirring occasionally, until everything is fully melted and combined. Avoid high heat to preserve the quality of the nutrient-rich oils.
1/3 cup grass fed tallow, 1 tbsp coconut oil, 2 tbsp mango butter, 1 tbsp beeswax pellets
Once melted, remove the bowl from heat. And allow it to cool down for about 10-15 minutes. It should be liquid but no longer hot. Then, stir in your liquid oil such as jojoba oil and MCT oil, as well as any optional ingredients such as vitamin E or carrot seed oil. Mix thoroughly with a whisk until the texture is smooth and fully combined. This step helps improve the spreadability and skin feel of your tallow sunscreen.
1/4 cup jojoba oil, 1 tbsp caprylic/capric triglycerides MCT oil
Slowly add the non-nano zinc oxide to the mixture. Sprinkle it in gradually while stirring continuously to prevent clumping. It is best to do this in a well-ventilated area and avoid inhaling the powder. Stir until the zinc oxide is fully and evenly incorporated, ensuring consistent sun protection throughout the product.
1/4 cup non-nano zinc oxide
Add the cocoa powder. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is smooth, with no visible clumps. This step helps reduce the white cast and enhances the final texture. If you have have darker skin I recommend adding at least 1 extra tsp of cocoa powder to get a slightly darker tint.
1 tsp cocoa powder
Allow the mixture to cool (in the fridge for about 30 mins to 1 hour or on the counter for a couple of hours) until it begins to thicken but is not fully solid. When you poke it with your finger, your finger should leave an indent. Then, using a hand mixer, whip the mixture until light and fluffy. This creates a smoother, creamier texture that is easier to apply.
Transfer the mixture into glass jars or tins by piping or spooning it in while still soft. If you follow this recipe your sunscreen shouldn't feel too soft or too firm. However, if your sunscreen feels too firm, you can remelt it and add a small amount of liquid oil. If it is too soft, remelt and add a bit more beeswax to help it set more firmly.