Make Your Own Safe Sunscreen Oil

Kari — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 04:00:26 +0000

Written by Kari @ Living Strong, Health & Wellness, Contributing Writer

Summer is probably my favorite season of the year. I enjoy being outside, warm and in the sun! We live in a generation where we have been taught to fear the sun and due to this, so many people miss out on the benefits of being out in the fresh air and soaking in the sun.

Is it important to wear sunscreen every time you are outside? No, no and no!

Sure, there are times when you are going to be outside in dramatic heat for long hours and your near water or at a higher altitude and it may be a good idea to apply some sunscreen – but for the most part – you need to allow your body to receive those amazing sunrays! I understand there are exceptions and some people may have health issues where the sun can be dangerous to them and I am not talking about situations like that. I am speaking in general, but speaking a truth that is so vital!

When we never allow those sunrays to penetrate our skin and go into us, we are shielding a life-saving, natural device. The sun gives our body the active form of vitamin D, vitamin D3, which is vitally important to our health. It also provides us with a natural sunblocking mechanism – the skin – when you develop a tan!

Other benefits of sun exposure are:

improves mood, reduces risk of SAD (seasonal affective disorder)
involved in cell growth
involved in nerve and muscle function
helps lower blood pressure
improves immune function
vital for the absorption of calcium in the intestines
can help prevent bone disease
helps maintain levels of calcium and phosphate
reduces the risk of rheumatoid arthritis
reduces risk of the risk of the flu
lowers cholesterol
increases metabolism
improves digestion
reduces stress and anxiety

As you can see – there are numerous benefits to sun exposure and in order to receive these benefits, you can’t be wearing sunblock – blocking out all those precious rays. In our home we hardly wear sunblock or sunscreen – but we do love to slather on our summer sunscreen body oil that I make! It’s simple and easy and provides natural sunscreening properties – without harmful side effects that you can get by using commercial products!

Make Your Own Safe Sunscreen Oil:

All you need is equal amounts of a few amazing and natural oils:

Avocado Oil, Sesame Oil, Coconut Oil and Sweet Almond Oil!

Grab an 8oz – 16oz container that you’ll store it in and make sure it’s clean! Next, in a small sauce pan, over medium low or even low, warm the coconut oil. Once it’s liquefied, pour in the remaining oils, swirl around a couple times to incorporate and remove from heat. Allow to cool just a couple minutes and pour into your container using a funnel! Leave the lid off until it’s completely cooled.

Feel free to add any beneficial essential oils or even green tea extract to your oil, store in a cool place and use for those amazing days spent in the sun where you are not in danger of getting burnt – which then a safe and toxic-free sunblock should be used!

What is your go-to safe summer skin care routine?

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Natural Shea Butter Sunscreen

Kelly — Wed, 15 May 2013 09:30:00 +0000

Written by Kelly, Contributing Writer

Hi, Everyone! I am so very excited to be visiting with you at Day2Day Joys today! Thank you, Rachel!!

My name is Kelly and I blog over at Eyes on the Source.

Today, I wanted to share with you something relatively new to our family, but I am sure many of you have heard of or tried this product, already. We started using Shea Butter several months ago as yet another experiment to bring healing to my son’s eczema and psoriasis.

I had heard of its super moisturizing qualities, but was uncertain of how it would react to his skin as he has a slight nut allergy. Shea butter is made from Shea (or Karite) tree nuts and I usually shy away from anything in the nut family for that reason.

Shea Butter is rich in vitamins A and E and fatty acids which helps the skin to retain elasticity, it also has antibacterial properties to speed healing. It encourages circulation and cellular restoration; it is rich in moisturizing nutrients the list goes on and on… So, hesitantly, we tried Shea Butter and it has worked wonders on my son’s skin!

And it turns out that Shea Butter has innumerable uses! Shea Butter has quickly become my family’s “go-to” remedy!

Here is a quick list of uses:

Calm and heal eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis break outs
Speed healing of sunburn and prevent peeling
Stops itching from insect bites (also, antibacterial to protect from infection)
Soften dry, cracked skin on heels and elbows
Soothe and speed healing of cuts, scrapes and burns
Soften cuticles
Prevent and provide relief from diaper rash
Fade stretch marks, skin blemishes and wrinkles
Protects from windburn, razor burn and chapped skin
Reduces joint pain and swelling
Deep conditioning hair treatment and prevents dandruff when used on the scalp
Natural sun protection of 4-5 SPF (from Vitamins E and F)

When I discovered the natural sun protection of Shea Butter, I couldn’t resist the idea of making my own sunscreen. My son’s skin is very irritated by regular over-the-counter sunscreen products and if you have done any research on sunscreen, you know that the chemicals on your skin are just as bad, if not worse, than getting sunburned. (check out the chemicals in any skin product here)

So, here is a simple recipe for Shea Butter Sunscreen!

The only difficult part of this recipe might be finding the ingredients! I had to order the Zinc Oxide online, but the rest of the ingredients I found at Walmart and the local health food store.

Shea Butter Sunscreen!

What you need:

1 C 100% pure Shea Butter
1/2 C Coconut Oil
4 ounces Beeswax (less if you want thinner lotion, but this if for water resistance)
1/2 C Olive Oil
2 t or more Liquid Vitamin E
3 T Zinc Oxide Powder

What to do:

Combine all ingredients except the Zinc Oxide in crockpot. I highly recommend a crockpot liner for easy clean-up! Heat on high until all ingredients are completely melted. Will be a clear golden color. Then slowly, whisk in the three tablespoons of Zinc Oxide. Carefully, pour into Mason Jars or other heat safe containers and let sit uncovered until cooled. The SPF on this recipe is about 30, but adding more Zinc Oxide will make it higher.

**If you want to make a liquid sunscreen, try this natural homemade sunscreen oil recipe.

I am blessed to be with you all today! I’d love for you to connect with me on Facebook! Until next time~ Kelly@Eyes on the Source

What kind of sunscreen do you use? Have you ever made your own?

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natural sunscreen – Day2Day Joys