How to make homemade natural sunscreen.
Sun protection is very important to protect against harmful UV-rays and to prevent skin cancer but next time you choose a sunscreen, consider the quality of the ingredients in that product. Many common sunscreens actually contain chemicals that can be harmful to your body.
Chemicals to avoid in commercial sunscreens:
- Oxybenzone
- Retinol palmitate
- Methoxycinnamate
- Octinoxate
- Padimate O/PABA
- Nano or Micronized mineral particles
There are several easy ways to make effective and homemade natural sunscreen.
Natural Ingredients:
- 1 oz. Coconut oil
- .8 oz. Shea butter
- .1 oz. Jojoba oil or sunflower oil
- 30 drops ( 15 of each) Eucalyptus and lavender essential oils
- .1 oz Vitamin E oil
- Zinc oxide*
*The amount of zinc oxide you choose to use will determine the amount of SPF in your sunscreen. For more than SPF 20, use 20% zinc oxide, for SPF 12-19 use 15% zinc oxide.
Directions: Step one, combine coconut oil, shea butter and jojoba/sesame/sunflower oil into a Pyrex measuring up. Next, make a double boiler by placing the Pyrex inside a pot filled with 2-3 inches of water. Heat on low until the shea butter is melted. Remove from double boiler and let cool. After cooled, wear a mask to cover your nose and mouth when you measure out the zinc oxide to avoid inhaling fine particles. Add the zinc oxide, Vitamin E oil and essential oils to the original mixture. Stir until ingredients are mixed. The last step is to pour the mixture into a dark jar and refrigerate.
Homemade natural sunscreen can last for around 6 months and should be refrigerated. Apply generously to skin and reapply every few hours while during periods of sun exposure.
Reference:
www.diynatural.com/homemade-sunscreen/
www.keeperofthehome.org/2015/06/how-to-make-your-own-sunscreen-lotion.html
