We Don't Make Handcrafted Sunscreen — And Here's Why That's a Good Thing

A lot of what we do at Arbor Grove is rooted in the belief that simpler is better — that plants are powerful, that small-batch craft has real value, and that you deserve to know exactly what's going on your skin.

But being honest with you is just as much a part of this brand as the botanicals are. And that means telling you something that might surprise you coming from a handcrafted skincare maker:

There are some things you should never buy handmade. Sunscreen is one of them.

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Why DIY Handcrafted Sunscreen Doesn't Work — No Matter How Clean the Ingredients Are

We know the appeal. Zinc oxide is a mineral. It sounds natural. There are recipes all over Pinterest and TikTok promising SPF protection from a simple blend of oils and powders. And tallow — raw, grass-fed, traditionally prepared — has been showing up in wellness spaces lately as a sun protectant.

We're here to tell you, as kindly and directly as we can: none of it works.

Mineral filters like zinc oxide require professional high-shear dispersion equipment to distribute evenly across a formula. Without it, even "non-nano" zinc oxide clumps at the microscopic level — leaving invisible gaps in coverage that the naked eye can't detect. The result isn't partial protection. It's the illusion of protection, which is arguably more dangerous than wearing nothing at all.

Tallow offers zero UV protection. Neither does coconut oil, raspberry seed oil, or any other carrier, no matter what a viral post claims about their "natural SPF."

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Sunscreen Is a Drug — and That's Not a Bad Thing

In the United States, sunscreen is classified as an over-the-counter drug, regulated under a strict FDA monograph. That means any product making an SPF claim must undergo professional lab processing, rigorous stability testing, and clinical SPF testing to prove it actually does what it says.

No handcrafted brand — not even the most careful, most educated, most well-intentioned small-batch maker — has access to that infrastructure. We certainly don't. And we'd be skeptical of any indie brand that claims otherwise.

This isn't a knock on the craft industry. It's a boundary we respect, because your skin deserves it.

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Let's Talk About the Myth That Won't Go Away

Sunscreen prevents skin cancer. It does not cause it.

We know this narrative has circulated — that chemical filters are harmful, that SPF is a conspiracy, that going "natural" means going without. We understand the skepticism, especially for those of us who read ingredient labels and think carefully about what we put on our bodies.

But skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. And it disproportionately affects people in the 20–35 age group — people who feel young and healthy and assume they have time.

The American Academy of Dermatology is an excellent, science-backed resource if you want to dig deeper: aad.org/media/stats-sunscreen

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What We Do Instead

At Arbor Grove, we pour our expertise into what we do well: botanical body care, cold process soap, and home fragrance made with intention and integrity. Our formulas are simple by design — not because we cut corners, but because we believe in using what actually works.

Sun protection isn't in our wheelhouse. Keeping your skin nourished, balanced, and cared for in every other season? That's exactly what we're here for.

Wear your SPF. Then layer something beautiful underneath.

— Beth, Arbor Grove Founder & Formulator