Natural Sunscreen Recipe

author avatar Dr. Eric Berg 04/10/2024

While sunscreen is supposed to help people keep their skin healthy, the ingredients in most sunscreens will actually cause your body more harm than good.

Learn about the harm your sunscreen could be causing you and how to avoid those problems by making your own all-natural sunscreen.

The Dangers of Commercial Sunscreens

Commercial sunscreens may not be as safe as assumed. They often contain chemicals that are damaging to the skin.

Many popular sunscreen brands use oxybenzone and octinoxate, which are linked to coral reef damage and human hormone disruption. Aside from harming bodies, these ingredients can also harm marine life when we swim in the ocean.

Beyond environmental concerns, some studies suggest that chemical sunscreens might even enhance UV-induced DNA damage because they penetrate deeper into your skin than physical blockers like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.

A person standing in the sun with sun rays shining on them "sunshine vitamin."

The Hidden Chemicals in Your Sunscreen

EWG (Environmental Working Group) recently reported that an alarming three-quarters of commercial sunscreens contain hazardous ingredients.

According to the FDA, only two of 16 active ingredients commonly used in commercial sunscreens are considered safe: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

Natural Sunscreen Recipe Ingredients

Making your own sunscreen can be a fun and rewarding project. You know exactly what's going into it and can avoid harmful chemicals. For sunscreen, you'll need only the following four ingredients: coconut oil, olive oil, pure aloe vera gel, and non-nano zinc oxide.

Importance of Pure Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe vera is known for its soothing properties, but get the pure kind without any additional chemicals. Studies show that it can help heal sunburns faster, too. It works as an excellent base for our natural sunscreen recipe.

Next up are coconut and olive oils. These oils have mild SPF properties and moisturize skin beautifully, providing essential nutrients. But remember, quality matters - always opt for extra virgin variants when available.

Last on our list is non-nano zinc oxide – this magic powder provides broad-spectrum protection against both UVA & UVB rays without getting absorbed into your skin like some commercial sunscreens do.

Preparation Process for Natural Sunscreen

Making your natural sunscreen is surprisingly simple. Start by gathering all the necessary ingredients: half a cup of coconut oil, a fourth cup of olive oil, and pure aloe vera gel.

Adding Non-Nano Zinc Oxide

The next step is to heat these three ingredients over the stove just enough to melt them together. But be careful not to overheat it as high temperatures can damage their beneficial properties.

Once everything has melted into an even mixture, let it cool down slightly before adding two tablespoons of non-nano zinc oxide. This zinc oxide protects you from harmful UV rays without absorbing too much into your skin.

You've now created a healthy alternative to commercial sunscreens. Store your homemade sunscreen in a cool, dark place to ensure it remains preserved.

Benefits of Non-Nano Zinc Oxide in Sunscreen

We often overlook the importance of sunscreen ingredients, but one component demands our attention: non-nano zinc oxide. But why is it recommended for homemade sunscreens?

Firstly, non-nano zinc oxide provides a physical barrier against harmful UV rays. Unlike chemical filters in commercial sunscreens, which absorb into your skin, zinc oxide sits on top of your skin, reflecting and scattering UV radiation.

Non-nano particles are more extensive than nano ones, making them less likely to enter the skin. This reduces potential irritation or allergic reactions, making it perfect for sensitive skin. Plus, when you swim or sweat - it won't wash off easily.

Addition of Non-Nano Zinc Oxide During Preparation

What is the beauty of creating your natural sunscreen recipe at home? You get to control what goes into it.

To incorporate non-nano zinc oxide powder effectively during preparation requires some care, though.

After melting together coconut oil, olive oil, and pure aloe vera gel over low heat, let cool slightly before slowly adding two tablespoons of non-nanoparticle zinc oxide while stirring continuously until thoroughly mixed.

This will ensure an even distribution throughout the mixture, giving optimal protection from those harsh UV rays.

Advantages of Natural Sunscreen

This natural sunscreen recipe helps protect against UV rays and nourishes the skin with beneficial oils.

The Benefits of Natural Sunscreen

Natural sunscreen offers a double benefit. Not only does it shield your skin from hazardous UV rays, but it also gives nourishment to the skin with advantageous oils.

For instance, this homemade natural sunscreen recipe is designed to be kinder to your skin than commercial products, often loaded with chemicals.

The key ingredient in our natural sunscreen - non-nano zinc oxide - provides robust protection against UV radiation without seeping too deeply into the skin. This makes sure you're shielded from sunburn and long-term sun damage.

This DIY concoction offers safety and beauty benefits. The coconut and olive oil blend works wonders for keeping skin moisturized and healthy-looking all day.

Using natural sunscreen can mean less exposure to potentially harmful ingredients while enjoying ample sun defense and skincare perks.

Vitamin D capsules

Vitamin D and DIY Sunscreen

Vitamin D is often called the "sunshine vitamin" because our skin produces it when exposed to sunlight. However, protecting your skin from the sun's harmful UV rays cannot be overstated.

While getting sun exposure is essential for natural vitamin D production, protecting your skin from the risk of sunburn and skin damage is equally crucial.

If you're concerned about maintaining healthy vitamin D levels while using sunscreen, consider spending some time outdoors in the early morning or late afternoon when the sun is less intense. This way, you can enjoy the sun's benefits without as much risk of sunburn.

Additionally, you can obtain vitamin D from dietary sources like fatty fish, fortified dairy products, and supplements when necessary.

Using a DIY sunscreen can help you avoid the harmful ingredients in commercial sunscreen, improving your overall health as you increase your vitamin D intake.

Always consult a medical professional before changing your skincare routine or sun protection methods.

Conclusion

While commercial sunscreens often contain harmful chemicals, creating your own all-natural sunscreen using ingredients like coconut oil, olive oil, aloe vera gel, and non-nano zinc oxide offers a safer and effective alternative.

This homemade solution provides protection against UV rays while nourishing the skin. By opting for DIY sunscreen, we can reduce exposure to harmful ingredients and promote both skin health and environmental sustainability.

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