DIY Sunscreen Cream & Sunscreen/Block Powder

There are some people that swear by the article written by Allure, saying DIY sunscreens are no good, but honestly, if I can't buy a sunscreen that has NO chemicals, I don't want it. The FDA's oversight of commercially produced sunscreen is minimal and allows for lots of known toxins, endocrine disrupters and chemicals that can react with the sun and become carcinogenic. I can slather up with zinc oxide and red raspberry seed oil if I'm going to be out in the sun a while. I've tried using the stuff they have at the amusement parks and still got burned. There are no perfect sunscreens and if you don't reapply constantly you will still end up burned. There are supplements that can also help your skin to be more accepting of the sun and protective against the UV rays. 

God gave us the beautiful sun, as in all things, moderation is the key. So it's up to you and your skin.


Here are two sunscreen/block recipes for keeping the skin happy, and to help it from getting burned this summer. :) I use Zinc Oxide because it sits on top of the skin, scattering and absorbing UVA and UVB rays. It is the safest and most effective active sunscreen ingredient. It's the same ingredient that is used in calamine lotion and diaper creams. Zinc Oxide is a chemical that occurs naturally in nature just as salt, sugar, water and other natural chemicals occur. Titanium dioxide also has a long history of use as a sunscreen agent. Titanium dioxide is found in almost every sunscreen with a physical blocker because of its high refractive index, its strong UV light absorbing capabilities and its resistance discoloration under ultraviolet light. This advantage enhances its stability and ability to protect the skin from ultraviolet light. Sunscreens designed for infants or people with sensitive skin are often based on titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide, as these mineral UV blockers are believed to cause less skin irritation than other UV absorbing chemicals. Using natural minerals isn't the same as adding things like octocryline or benophenone that are added to regular sunscreens-both man made chemicals. You can decide what you want on your skin.

Titanium Dioxide & Zinc Oxide Powder

DIY Sunscreen/block Cream

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Mango Butter, Cocoa Butter or Shea butter

1/4 cup Coconut Oil
1/4 cup Almond Oil, Argan Oil or Avocado Oil (these oils have natural sunscreens in them, almond is high in sulfur content so bugs don't care for it!)

1 tablespoon Beeswax Pellets
1 teaspoon vitamin E oil (I use T-50)
5-10 drops Pink Grapefruit Essential Oil (or you can use your favorite "skin friendly" essential oil)
2-3 drops Fragrance Oil of your choice (optional)

2-3 tablespoons of Zinc Oxide Powder

1 tablespoon Titanium Dioxide Powder

 Directions: 

1. Melt the coconut oil and butter until liquefied in a saucepan over low heat. (glass or enamel cookware preferred) Do not microwave as this will ruin the oil.

2. Remove from heat and pour in the almond oil, vitamin E and essential oil, stir together.
3. Next place it in the fridge for an hour to harden, it needs it to be a little firmer than room temperature butter.
4. Blend it until it has been whipped into butter. If you are having problems getting your butter to whip it is probably not cold enough-put it back in the refrigerator and get it colder.
5. Use a clean spatula and scrape into a clean 8 oz container, I'm using some small plastic containers with lids so I can put them in a few locations.
6. Use a small amount on skin-a little goes a long way. Your skin will thank you!
   

This cream is water resistant and does a really good job on keeping the sun from burning your skin. I used this and it lasted for 2 hours-no burn. The parts of me that I didn't cover, burned. Ouch. Next time I will put it on more spots when I go out to float around the cove of the lake. :) 

As far as an SPF rating goes I would say for sure it is at least a 30 SPF but more than likely 60 SPF. Just reapply it every 1-2 hours if you're in direct sunlight.

Recipe #2-Powder Sunscreen

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons Zinc Oxide

1 tablespoon Titanium Dioxide

1-2 tablespoons Skin Tone Mineral Powder (optional)

 Directions: 

Place in a small jar and shake. Use big powder brush and apply sparingly to face and areas that may be exposed to sun. Quick, easy, and it works!

Skin Colored Sunscreen Powder

That's all I wanted to share today! I hope this can help someone out there to have some fun in the sun without getting burned! God bless and have a great day!

Marla

MJR Soaps