Even though going to the beach seems like a distant reality, nobody’s stopping you from getting a good tanning session in your backyard. However, it’s extremely important that you take care of your skin while doing so. You may not see it, but the sun’s UV rays are very harmful for our skin, especially with the deteriorating ozone layer.
I’ve created two simple, tried-and-tested natural homemade sunscreen recipes, one with zinc oxide and one without titanium dioxide.
DIY Sunscreen With Zinc Oxide
The first recipe includes zinc oxide as a key ingredient. In fact, its benefits not only include sun protection, but it can also be used to heal minor skin irritations such as chapped skins, burns and cuts.
This recipe uses the following ingredients:
- Zinc Oxide: Known to effectively reflect and scatter UV radiation, preventing sunburn and premature aging.
- Safflower Oil: Rich in linoleic acid, safflower oil helps balance sebum production in the skin. Its hydrating properties makes it a good emollient, promoting elasticity and reducing the appearance of fine lines.
- Raspberry Seed Oil: Its rich Vitamin A and E content allows it soothe the skin and replenish collagen levels. It also offers a natural SPF protection of around 25-50, which makes it a vital ingredient for this sunscreen.
- Beeswax: The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of beeswax help the skin feel replenished without clogging pores.
- Chamomile Flower Water: It’s fresh, fruity aroma adds a refreshing bonus to this recipe.
- Grapefruit Seed Extract: A common natural preservative, grapefruit seed extract prevents fungal growth and bacteria, which helps increase the shelf life of DIY products.
Is zinc oxide safe?
Zinc oxide is considered a safe ingredient for sunscreens and skincare by both the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and dermatologists.
One of the best properties of Zinc Oxide is that it’s able to block all harmful rays – UVA, UVB, and even UVC. Most chemicals can only block one type of ray, which is why commercial sunscreens have to mix in several chemicals, which makes them more harmful for the skin.
Ingredients
- 5 tablespoons raspberry seed oil
- 5 tablespoons organic safflower oil
- 2 tablespoons Zinc Oxide
- 1.5 tablespoon beeswax pellets
- 2 tablespoons chamomile flower hydrosol
- 20 drops Grapefruit seed extract
- 2 100 ml Glass Salve Containers
Instructions
- Add the beeswax, safflower oil, raspberry oil, and hydrosol a double boiler or an aluminum bowl filled with water on low – medium heat, until they are melted.
- Remove from the heat and immediately mix with a manual egg beater spatula until the cream starts to form and until it is the consistency of a cream. if it is hot in your kitchen, then add the double boiler in a pan filled with cold water. Your spatula must leave marks in the cream.
- Add the zinc oxide, mix well.
- Add the grapefruit seed extract, mix well.
- Pour in a glass jar container or in a squeezable plastic bottle.
- Use within 6 months and apply this DIY sunscreen before going under the sun. Please note, this is not a waterproof sunscreen!
For more information, please visit the DIY sunscreen recipe here.
DIY Sunscreen Without Titanium Dioxide
Titanium Dioxide is a chemical that is used in commercial sunscreens. As with any chemical, it can have harmful side effects on our skin, so I create a DIY sunscreen recipe without it. It’s made with natural ingredients, offers good sun protection, and doesn’t include any toxic chemicals.
Here are the ingredients for this super easy DIY sunscreen:
Jojoba Oil: Jojoba oil is the closest to the sebum produced in our skin naturally, so it does a great job of repairing the skin without clogging the pores. With a natural SPF 4 and anti-inflammatory properties, it makes it a good alternative to harsh sunscreens.
Raspberry Seed Oil: The key ingredient to this sunscreen, raspberry seed oil offers SPF ranging from 28-50, restores fine lines and improves dehydrated skin to reveals a healthy glow.
Shea Butter: This DIY sunscreen has a more dense texture, and shea butter works perfectly for that. It provides intense hydration and a thin protective layer while your skin is under the sun.
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons organic shea butter
- 5 tablespoons raspberry seed oil
- 5 tablespoons jojoba oil
- 2 100 ml Glass Salve Containers
Instructions
- Combine shea butter, raspberry seed oil and jojoba oil in a glass bowl.
- Start mixing the shea butter and oils with a hand immersion mixer to make the homemade sunscreen.
- Continue mixing until smooth, should take no more than 2 minutes to turn onto a cream.
- Pour into a pretty glass jar container.
- Use within 6 months and apply this homemade sunscreen on your face before going under the sun. This is not a waterproof sunscreen!
For more info, please visit homemade sunscreen recipe.
Use Common Sense Under the Sun
I know we all love being under the warm, bright sun, but we need to understand that we can’t be exposed for extended periods of time. Limit your sun exposure to around 20 minutes a day to prevent any long-term sun damage. If you’re outside or have been in the water, reapply your sunscreen every 30 minutes or so. And don’t forget to take something like a large hat or an umbrella; it’s the best natural sun protection!