How to Make A Natural Sunscreen

Before we get to how to make natural sunscreen recipe lets understand why commercial sunscreen may do more harm than good.

There are many studies that point to most sunscreens as not being helpful in avoiding skin cancer and may actually increase the chances of it!

Many sunscreens contain toxic ingredients or endocrine disrupting chemicals that in many cases can actually promote skin cancer growth and free radical production inside your body.

The FDA’s 2007 draft sunscreen safety regulations say: “FDA is not aware of data demonstrating that sunscreen use alone helps prevent skin cancer.” The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) agrees. IARC recommends clothing, hats and shade as primary barriers to UV radiation and writes that “sunscreens should not be the first choice for skin cancer prevention and should not be used as the sole agent for protection against the sun.

Even natural, commercially available sunscreens often have toxic ingredients

Many sunscreens also contain Oxybenzone, a known hormone disruptor that is not recommended for use on children.

We believe diet is key and until you take steps to detox then using a natural sunscreen and shade is better for you. Do your own research, look at the actual studies, and use common sense when it comes to sun exposure.

Choosing Natural Sunscreen Ingredients

The ingredients in this recipe have a natural SPF (sun protection factor). This is a natural recipe and has not been tested by a regulatory organization for exact SPF. For this reason, we can’t make any claims as to the combined SPF.

The individual ingredients are considered low SPF and generally quoted at these levels:

Almond Oil- SPF around 5
Coconut Oil– SPF 4-6
Zinc Oxide SPF 2-20 depending on how much is used
Red Raspberry Seed Oil SPF 25-50
Carrot Seed Oil – SPF 35-40
Shea Butter – SPF 4-6

Homemade Sunscreen Ingredients

½ cup almond or olive oil (can infuse with herbs if desired)
¼ cup coconut oil (natural SPF 4)
2 Tablespoons Zinc Oxide (Use a non-nano version. (Be careful not to inhale the powder).
Up to 1 teaspoon Red Raspberry oil (natural SPF 25-50)
Up to 1 teaspoon Carrot Seed Oil – (natural SPF 35-40)
2 tablespoons Shea butter (natural SPF 4-5)
Optional: Vanilla Extract or other natural extracts to suit your preference (Do not use citrus essential oils as they increase sun sensitivity)

Homemade Sunscreen Instructions

Combine ingredients except zinc oxide in a pint sized or larger glass jar
Fill a medium saucepan with a couple inches of water and place over medium heat.
Put a lid on the jar loosely and place in the pan with the water.
As the water heats, the ingredients in the jar will start to melt. Shake or stir occasionally to incorporate. When all ingredients are completely melted, add the zinc oxide, stir in well and pour into whatever jar or tin you will use for storage.
Small mason jars (pint size) are great for this. It will not pump well in a lotion pump!
Stir a few times as it cools to make sure zinc oxide is incorporated.
Store at room temperature

Additional Notes:

This sunscreen is not waterproof and will need to be reapplied after sweating or swimming.
Make sure not to inhale the Zinc Oxide – use a mask recommended.
Can use beeswax to make thicker sunscreen, less to make smooth sunscreen
We recommend coconut or vanilla extract or lavender essential oils for fragrance
Store in a cool, dry place or in the fridge
We prefer to store in a small canning jar and apply like a body butter. It will be thicker, especially if you use coconut oil in the recipe.
Remove the Zinc Oxide and this makes an excellent lotion recipe.

The brief blog was intended to help you understand how chemistry has a profound impact on your health and weight. Our website is here to teach, educate and provide products that will clean/detox of your body and speed up the regeneration of your cells improving your health and weight issues.

Visit our site for more information, diet protocols and herbals: http://www.eatingyourselfskinny.com