Typical mustachian Saturday

[Ottawa]

Did a few things today to save money and produce A1 products.

1) biked 10 miles to get groceries. (Save $5 gas)
2) made 9 oz SPF 20 sunscreen - saved ($44) over equivalent wife-approved* badger balm at $15 per 3 oz.
3) made 12 tubes of peppermint Chapstick - saved $35 over equivalent wife-approved* $3 badger balm
4) made 50 4-ounce bars of chocolate peppermint soap- saved $175 over equivalent Lush soap
5) drank 4 pints homebrew during above labor! at $.50 a pint ($22 saved compared to bar)

Total saved today = $281 over typical non- mustachian...assuming the non- mustachian didn't shop for a bunch of crap they don't need.

* as approved by ecoholic book.

[Ziggurat]

Nice ... did I read that right that you made your own sunscreen?  If so, link or recipe, please?

[deborah]

Nice ... did I read that right that you made your own sunscreen?  If so, link or recipe, please?

Me too

It appears you have some problems with wife approval?

[Ottawa]

Nice ... did I read that right that you made your own sunscreen?  If so, link or recipe, please?

Me too

It appears you have some problems with wife approval?

No no!  My awesome wife reads up a lot on common things we use that are full of shite.  I fully concur...just read the bullshit ingredients on the back of those recipes for things like sunscreen soap and Chapstick.  My recipes have 3-4 ingredients ...none of which have long-ass chemical names!  Ecoholic is the book that opened our eyes re: ingredients in things that we plaster all over ourselves daily! 

Being a chemist ... I was more than keen to make my own stuff!

[Ottawa]

sunscreen.

Half cup olive oil.
Quarter cup coconut oil.
Quarter cup beeswax.
2 tablespoons zinc oxide (ZnO)
10 drops essential, for example vanilla (optional)

1) combine ingredients except ZnO glass 250 ml jam jar.
2) fill a medium saucepan with 2-3 inches of water and place jar of  oil/ wax over medium heat.
3) as the water heats, the ingredients in the jar will melt. stir occasionally to incorporate. 
4) When all oil and wax are melted add the zinc oxide, stir well.  Do this last step outside as you don't want to breathe zinc oxide. 
5) stir occasionally as this mixture cools.  You want to keep the zinc oxide in suspension.  As it cools it will form a fairly solid cream.
6) it will be buttery smooth when complete. Best used within six months.

- this recipe yields an SPF of 20.  If you add one further tablespoon you will have SPF 30.  If you add one less tablespoon you will have SPF 10.
- if you don't add any zinc oxide this makes a great lotion.
- you could also add coconut or lavender essential oil for fragrance instead of vanilla.

[Tieke]

Wow, thanks so much for the recipe.  I normally spend a fortune buying tubes of natural sunscreen to avoid the chemical stuff (which I'm allergic to).  Can't wait to try this out next summer!

[Ziggurat]

Ottawa, thanks for the recipe! One more question... where is the best place to get the zinc oxide at a good price?

Actually two questions. I'm not a fan of coconut (don't like the smell) -- do you know a substitute for the coconut oil?

[Ottawa]

Ottawa, thanks for the recipe! One more question... where is the best place to get the zinc oxide at a good price?

Actually two questions. I'm not a fan of coconut -- do you know a substitute for that?

Got coconut oil at freshco for $4 per #.  No coconut smell.  Need this to maintain cream texture...and moisture.  Don't worry bout this.
Lots of debate about znO nano versus non-nano.  This whole debate is somewhat silly if you ask me because anything can be nano.   The question is can the substance be transported through the skin barrier or otherwise cause harm.  One would've never asked this question before when applying Coppertone.  The zinc oxide I purchased was non-nano just to be safe.
Here:
http://www.amazon.com/Natures-Oil-100-Pure-Oxide/dp/B00D8IM59A

Beeswax from the same company...

[deborah]

Thanks for the recipe!

[naturelover]

Lots of debate about znO nano versus non-nano.  This whole debate is somewhat silly if you ask me because anything can be nano.   The question is can the substance be transported through the skin barrier or otherwise cause harm.  One would've never asked this question before when applying Coppertone.  The zinc oxide I purchased was non-nano just to be safe.
Here:
http://www.amazon.com/Natures-Oil-100-Pure-Oxide/dp/B00D8IM59A

Beeswax from the same company...

Thanks for the recipe! It's such a struggle to find a good natural sunscreen. Regarding the zinc oxide you use, do you find that it rubs in well or does it sit on the skin and look whitish like many zinc oxide sunscreens do? I know that the ones that rub in well are most likely nano, though, unfortunately.

[naturelover]

I'm not a fan of coconut (don't like the smell) -- do you know a substitute for the coconut oil?

You can try refined coconut oil. I just recently bought this to use in my hair, and it doesn't smell like coconut at all: http://www.vitacost.com/spectrum-organic-refined-coconut-oil.

Some of the refined oils may be processed with nasty stuff, but this one says it's expeller pressed and non-hydrogenated.

[Ottawa]

Forgot to add
6) made 1kg peanut butter ($2 saved). But more importantly...fresh and no additives like salt and sugar.

[Ottawa]

And a picture...need to cut soap up later today.

[limeandpepper]

So much DIY awesomeness! Thanks for the sunscreen recipe!

[oldtoyota]

Did a few things today to save money and produce A1 products.


4) made 50 4-ounce bars of chocolate peppermint soap- saved $175 over equivalent Lush soap
5) drank 4 pints homebrew during above labor! at $.50 a pint ($22 saved compared to bar)

How come you don't drink in a bar while making soap? ;-)

[Ottawa]

Did a few things today to save money and produce A1 products.


4) made 50 4-ounce bars of chocolate peppermint soap- saved $175 over equivalent Lush soap
5) drank 4 pints homebrew during above labor! at $.50 a pint ($22 saved compared to bar)

How come you don't drink in a bar while making soap? ;-)

I don't want to lye about my age?  :-)

[BPA]

Impressive!!!

[NinetyFour]

Forgot to add
6) made 1kg peanut butter ($2 saved). But more importantly...fresh and no additives like salt and sugar.

And how did you make your own pb?

[horsepoor]

You sir, are badass!

I'll be bookmarking this thread for later on - Definitely hoping to get into making my own soaps and lotions and things once the current stock of stuff starts to diminish.  Coconut oil is an awesome base for lots of this stuff.  I use it to condition my horses' tails, and my gelding's tail is the envy of the barn, and has to be cut frequently to avoid dragging the ground, despite my otherwise benign neglect of it.  Specialty horse grooming stuff is generally way overpriced, and the CO works better anyway.

Had never thought of making sunscreen, that's sort of a whole 'nother level of DIY.

[Ottawa]

Forgot to add
6) made 1kg peanut butter ($2 saved). But more importantly...fresh and no additives like salt and sugar.

And how did you make your own pb?

Put roasted unsalted peanuts into food processor.  Turn on high until peanut butter occurs!  Around 5 minutes...if you like chunky...add some more peanuts to processor after smooth pb is made. Process to your chunkiness desire.

I do 1kg...which fits nicely into 2 500g wide mouth jars. 

[NinetyFour]

Forgot to add
6) made 1kg peanut butter ($2 saved). But more importantly...fresh and no additives like salt and sugar.

And how did you make your own pb?

Put roasted unsalted peanuts into food processor.  Turn on high until peanut butter occurs!  Around 5 minutes...if you like chunky...add some more peanuts to processor after smooth pb is made. Process to your chunkiness desire.

I do 1kg...which fits nicely into 2 500g wide mouth jars. 

Thanks.  I do not have a food processor--just a blender.  I wonder if I could use that.  Perhaps if I soften the peanuts in water first?

Very cool ideas in this thread!

[Ottawa]

Thanks.  I do not have a food processor--just a blender.  I wonder if I could use that.  Perhaps if I soften the peanuts in water first?

Very cool ideas in this thread!

Prob not work.  Too thick to fall into blades...but could try with a small amount.  No...don't add water...honey though!  Or chocolate. :-)

[MrChubbles]

You can make peanut butter in a Blendtec blender with the twister jar, Yup, it's expensive, but my wife & I only eat plant based foods, so it has pretty much paid for itself in a year of Hummus, Peanut Butter and now home-made vegan cheese.

[frompa]

Ottawa - Thanks for the post of awesome Saturday activities.  On the sunscreen recipe, can we revisit the coconut oil question, because my sweetie is allergic to coconut and other nuts.  Any substitutions you think might work?  Thanks in advance! (And may your Sunday be as productive...)

[Ottawa]

Ottawa - Thanks for the post of awesome Saturday activities.  On the sunscreen recipe, can we revisit the coconut oil question, because my sweetie is allergic to coconut and other nuts.  Any substitutions you think might work?  Thanks in advance! (And may your Sunday be as productive...)

Oops...sorry!  Don't know anything off hand.  Will look into it!

[Indio]

Congrats on a very productive day.
I'm near the bottom of my soap stash and have about 50 goats milk ice cubes in my freezer ready to be turned into soap.
I've never tried sunscreen but will make an attempt at it now. Thanks for the incentive.
I make my own nut butters too. I usually throw every nut I have that's roasted and unsalted into the food processor. I really like the flavor nuance that cashews add. It's just a bit of sesame oil away from becoming topping for Chinese "peanut" noodles.

[TomTX]

sunscreen.

Half cup olive oil.
Quarter cup coconut oil.
Quarter cup beeswax.
2 tablespoons zinc oxide (ZnO)
10 drops essential, for example vanilla (optional)

1) combine ingredients except ZnO glass 250 ml jam jar.
2) fill a medium saucepan with 2-3 inches of water and place jar of  oil/ wax over medium heat.
3) as the water heats, the ingredients in the jar will melt. stir occasionally to incorporate. 
4) When all oil and wax are melted add the zinc oxide, stir well.  Do this last step outside as you don't want to breathe zinc oxide. 
5) stir occasionally as this mixture cools.  You want to keep the zinc oxide in suspension.  As it cools it will form a fairly solid cream.
6) it will be buttery smooth when complete. Best used within six months.

- this recipe yields an SPF of 20.  If you add one further tablespoon you will have SPF 30.  If you add one less tablespoon you will have SPF 10.
- if you don't add any zinc oxide this makes a great lotion.
- you could also add coconut or lavender essential oil for fragrance instead of vanilla.

Hm, I'm more of a fan of mixing ZnO with TiO2 for sunscreen, as their UV absorption peaks aren't the same. Better coverage across the UV spectrum. Rutile TiO2 preferred, and some small amount of free radical scavenger like vitamin E.

Otherwise, a nice looking recipe.

(yes, also a chemist here ;)

[Ottawa]

Hm, I'm more of a fan of mixing ZnO with TiO2 for sunscreen, as their UV absorption peaks aren't the same. Better coverage across the UV spectrum. Rutile TiO2 preferred, and some small amount of free radical scavenger like vitamin E.

Otherwise, a nice looking recipe.

(yes, also a chemist here ;)

TomTX - Vit E - thanks for reminding me!  I have the vit E as optional in my recipe...I need to pick some up to add for next patch!

Re: UV protection - I looked into that...I'm testing out with only ZnO to start.  Made a '10 spf' and a '20 spf' batch**.  Since the ZnO is effective at blocking UVA1 UVA2 and UVB, I went with that for starters.  TiO2 doesn't offer a lot of protection over 340-400nm(UVA1). 

For non-chemists..Nice digestable summary of UV and blocking agents here http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/uva-and-uvb/understanding-uva-and-uvb

I'm still not convinced that blocking all UV is a good thing.  After all, we do need to synthesize Vit D for health here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_effects_of_sun_exposure.  I know we can get Vit D in diet also.  Humans evolved to deal with UV radiation, to a degree http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/statistics/race.htm.  The problem is that all of us are exposed to more UV now (ozone layer depletion) and our lifespans are much longer and so the effects of radiation are more apparent long term.  I think the key is limiting the (short and long term) exposure to harness the benefits, while minimizing the downsides (cancer).  The best protection in the end is to cover up and wear a big hat!

Note:  The mineral sunscreen above (vs 'classic) works immediately after applying.  The classic sunscreen (with lots of suspicious chemicals) needs to be applied usually 30 minutes before exposure. 

** a reasonable explanation of spf factor here: http://www.badgerbalm.com/s-30-what-is-spf-sunscreen-sun-protection-factor.aspx

[Lkxe]

I have always found the forums to be a fount of strange and wonderful knowledge. I am glad I chanced upon this thread as my youngest is allergic to "normal" sunscreens" and the zinc based at the natural food stores is sooo expensive. Though I did buy a spray on ( and was happy to find it) I will try this recipe for everyday and use the spray for out and about.

[TomTX]

Note:  The mineral sunscreen above (vs 'classic) works immediately after applying.  The classic sunscreen (with lots of suspicious chemicals) needs to be applied usually 30 minutes before exposure. 

...and unlike the classic chemical sunscreen, the active ingredient isn't mostly absorbed through your skin in ~2-3 hours.

I'll need to see if I can find the UV spectra for TiO2 and ZnO - I looked at them years ago for this purpose, and combining them seemed to offer the best coverage.

[Ottawa]

Yeah, I saw some spectra that suggested greater absorption by TiO2...compared to ZnO.  But the graph also showed an antagonistic affect when the two were combined. 

There is a paper here more on nanoparticle-sized TiO2 and ZnO: http://www.dovepress.com/getfile.php?fileID=11179

Zinc Oxide: http://www.smartskincare.com/skinprotection/sunblocks/sunblock_zinc-oxide.html
Titanium Dioxide: http://www.smartskincare.com/skinprotection/sunblocks/sunblock_titanium-dioxide.html

[deborah]

I'm still not convinced that blocking all UV is a good thing.  After all, we do need to synthesize Vit D for health here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_effects_of_sun_exposure.  I know we can get Vit D in diet also. 

In Australia we have one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, sunscreen and blocking the sun are often recommended here. However, they have found that even here, people are often not getting enough sun to produce enough Vit D in winter, so there is a campaign at the moment telling people not to wear hats in winter.

[JoyBlogette]

This is SO COOL.  I am really interested to try this at home.  What are your safety tips for Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide?  Just "mix outside" or also wear gloves, eye protection, etc...?

[MamaStache]

I can't wait to try and make some of these things!  Also - am I the only one excited to have two expert chemists debating (and creating) the idea DIY sunscreen recipe?

Thank you Ottowa and TomTX

[TomTX]

This is SO COOL.  I am really interested to try this at home.  What are your safety tips for Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide?  Just "mix outside" or also wear gloves, eye protection, etc...?

They're pretty nonreactive - but any powder is bad for your lungs (some are very bad) - I would make sure to minimize creating any dust (mix slowly) and wear an N95 dust mask, and eye protection. Outside is a good plan. This is probably overkill, but it takes just seconds to put on the dust mask and eye protection.

Ottawa - that's a really nice research paper. I had particle size in the back of my mind, but the last time I had looked at it closely, products were generally microscale, not nanoscale. The blue shift from nanoscale particles is a really good thing to keep in mind.

[deborah]

Where I used to live, the local health food store had a machine near the bulk nuts to make peanut butter. You brought a jar. They weighed it. You made the peanut butter, and paid for the weight of nuts you used. It had a smooth and a chunky setting. I think it was a mincer rather than a blender.

[NinetyFour]

Yep--my local natural foods grocery stores have such a thing, but I have never used it.  I'm too shy to ask someone in the store how to use the gadget.  Brother.

[Ottawa]

Where I used to live, the local health food store had a machine near the bulk nuts to make peanut butter. You brought a jar. They weighed it. You made the peanut butter, and paid for the weight of nuts you used. It had a smooth and a chunky setting. I think it was a mincer rather than a blender.

Yup, I used one of those once - the machine is kind of like a meat grinder-looking-thing...
NinetyFour - you could just use a hammer to make PB ;-)

[NinetyFour]

Where I used to live, the local health food store had a machine near the bulk nuts to make peanut butter. You brought a jar. They weighed it. You made the peanut butter, and paid for the weight of nuts you used. It had a smooth and a chunky setting. I think it was a mincer rather than a blender.

Yup, I used one of those once - the machine is kind of like a meat grinder-looking-thing...
NinetyFour - you could just use a hammer to make PB ;-)

Yes!  Another avoidance tactic so that I won't have to talk to people!  Thanks!  ;-)

[Ottawa]

What are your safety tips for Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide?  Just "mix outside" or also wear gloves, eye protection, etc...?

What TomTX said.  I personally added it outside with a dust mask. Zinc Oxide isn't really a problem.  You don't want to inhale any powder...yet people seem to not wear masks when applying baby powder, cinnamon etc.  ;-)

If in doubt, always look up the MSDS (Material Safety Data SHeet) for a chemical.
For example ZnO and TiO2

Before you become alarmed about "Mutagenic" and "Carcinogenic"...look around at other things for perspective (and follow safety directions to limit exposure) Alcohol

You can look up any ingredients using MSDS sheets...to see for yourself what the risks and mitigating factors are!

[JoyBlogette]

Thanks for the safety tips guys.  I think I may just try this homemade sunscreen thing.

[Scandium]

Did a few things today to save money and produce A1 products.

1) biked 10 miles to get groceries. (Save $5 gas)
2) made 9 oz SPF 20 sunscreen - saved ($44) over equivalent wife-approved* badger balm at $15 per 3 oz.
3) made 12 tubes of peppermint Chapstick - saved $35 over equivalent wife-approved* $3 badger balm
4) made 50 4-ounce bars of chocolate peppermint soap- saved $175 over equivalent Lush soap
5) drank 4 pints homebrew during above labor! at $.50 a pint ($22 saved compared to bar)

Total saved today = $281 over typical non- mustachian...assuming the non- mustachian didn't shop for a bunch of crap they don't need.

* as approved by ecoholic book.

You're lucky. My grocery store is only 1 mile each way so I save less than a dollar when biking there!

[jordanread]

All right, I'm trying this next weekend. Thanks for the suggestions Ottawa!

[jordanread]

Fun fact that I just stumbled across, and that I didn't know. Turns out Vitamin D is only generated via UVB. I'll do more research, since Vitamin D is of interest to me, and experiment with different recipes of sunscreen.

Found that information here and will dig deeper when I have more time.

[FLBiker]

Love the idea of DIY sunscreen.  Thanks!

And what about a recipe for the soap?

[Ottawa]

And what about a recipe for the soap?

That's more fly by the seat of my pants...choose some oils (hint: inexpensive ones - like olive, canola, coconut) stick the quantities into a lye calculator.  This will tell you the amount of lye and water to mix.  Add the lye mixture to the oil mixture and blend.  Pour into mould.  24 hours later..unmould and cut.  Wait 4-6 weeks for soap to harden. 

You will need to do some reading as their are dangers in working with lye (NaOH = Sodium Hyrdoxide).  There are also quite a few other bits and pieces you need to pick up. 

Very simplistic visual:
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Soap-with-the-Cold-Process

Here is a real simple and well instructed recipe:
http://down---to---earth.blogspot.ca/2007/07/how-to-make-cold-pressed-soap.html

[TrMama]

DIY sunscreen and chapstick. Huh, what great ideas. I have two little girls and we go through a significant amount of these every year. Chapsticks get eaten, and lost, and we have trouble finding them when we actually need them for chapped lips.

If I increased the amount of beeswax (or decreased the olive oil) in the sunscreen, it should remain solid at room temperature, correct? I love those solid sunscreen sticks for protecting our faces, but they're hard to find locally, unless you happen upon the $20/tiny stick version.

We've been using the more mustachian method of, "Hold reallllly still so I don't get this in your eyes." It sort of works.

[Mrs3F]

Forgive me if this is a stupid question, but my family tends to use a much higher SPF sunscreen (typically 80-100).  Can I just keep adding Zinc Oxide to reach my desired SPF, or is there an outer limit to the recipe?   Or am I using way too high an SPF to begin with. 

I'm really excited about this recipe, and wishing I'd seen it a week ago before making a bulk sunscreen purchase.

[Joggernot]

I don't know where you get 80-100 spf.  Here are a couple links about sunscreens and spfs. 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunscreen
http://www.pharmamedtechbi.com/publications/the-pink-sheet/53/018/sunscreen-tfm-spf-upper-limit-of-30

[MoneyCat]

This is all really badass.  I am working on learning the skills to make all my own stuff too.  I will have a lot of time to work on these ideas over the summer.  So far, I've gotten into producing my own food (via gardening) and making my own whole wheat bread using a bread machine I got off Craigslist.  My New Year's Resolution was to learn new skills that would make me more independent.