Summer Fun in the Sun- How to Make your Own Sunscreen

It is almost summer, that means fun in the sun! When it comes to being in the sun, we need to use precautions.  Have fun but be safe.

A few things to remember when you are having fun in the sun:

• Drink plenty of water.  Just because you might be in the swimming pool or in the ocean, or lake doesn’t mean you don’t need water.  Even more so! By the time you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated. 
• Pack healthy snacks for on the go. This will help your pocket book not to mention your health.
• Take a beach umbrella or find a shady spot to rest in, periodically, when outdoors for a lengthy time.
• Wear a hat and sunglasses
• Apply sunscreen every 2-3 hours

In regards to sunscreen, do you look at the label and read the ingredients? Do you know what you are putting on your body? Rule of thumb… What goes ON your body, goes IN your body.( I am learning too, so don’t feel guilty) Can you pronounce the ingredients that are in your products? How many ingredients are listed? The fewer the better. These are some things to notice.

Why use or make an all natural sunscreen?

Like so many of our hair, skin and personal care products, most sunscreen ingredients are toxic for the body. Did you know that sun block has a caution that states “…may be carcinogenic?” Do you realize that means it is known to cause cancer? Isn’t skin cancer the reason we use traditional sun block? Now you can make your own! By using YL essential oil products, you can give health to your body while you are protecting it!! Go out in the sun feeling safe and happy and not having to worry if your child puts his fingers in his mouth or your dog licks your leg.. the homemade sunscreen is edible!  I don’t think any of us can say that about the sunscreens we buy in the store. Using toxic creams and lotions is one of the reasons why we have the skin conditions we encounter today. To catch you up on just one product that is listed in many of our skin care products, read about Propylene Glycol.

If you want to use all natural sunscreen and don’t want to purchase any, consider making your own.  All natural sunscreens can easily be made with pure therapeutic grade essential oils and a carrier oil, like coconut, jojoba, avocado, grape seed oil, or V-6 oil. Essential oils have been used for thousands of years to both prevent and to treat sunburns.

Which essential oils are the best for sunscreen protection?

Lavender, Helichrysum, Roman Chamomile, Frankincense, Myrrh

Which carrier oils are best for sunscreen protection?

Coconut, Jojoba, Avocado, Grape seed oil, Olive or YL V-6 oil

The mentioned above essential oils and carrier oils have low SPF protection. When it comes to using essential oils and carrier oils, we want to use the best quality oils available because they are absorbed into your skin! This is why I use and highly recommend Young Living essential oils and Tropical Traditions.

Sunscreen Recipes:

• 1/4 cup oil (coconut, olive, jojoba, grapeseed, YL V-6 are good)
• 5 tsp Zinc Oxide (available online or in many stores on the diaper aisle, just make sure it is pure zinc oxide)
• 1 TBSP Beeswax or emulsifying wax
• 3 TBSP natural aloe vera gel (not the kind with alcohol or propylene glycol)
• 1/2 cup distilled water
• 2-3 capsules of Vitamin E oil
• 30 drops of Essential Oils of choice (I recommend using 3 essential oils with 10 drops each)
  

Heat Oil and beeswax on double boiler until just melted. Remove from heat, and add vitamin E and essential oils. Put into bowl that will not be used for food, and add zinc oxide powder, set aside. In small pan, heat water  and aloe vera until just warm. Add the water/aloe mixture slowly while whisking vigorously.  SPF 20.  Add more zinc oxide to increase SPF protection.

Another Recipe for Sunscreen Protection:

• 1 small sauce pan

• 1 med sauce pan

• Handheld mixer

• Empty bottle-(safe for essential oils)

• 5 oz. oil (coconut, jojoba, avocado, V-6)

• 1/2 oz. beeswax

• 4 oz. distilled water

• 2 tbsp. powdered zinc oxide

• 10 drops YL Myrrh essential oil

• 10 drops YL Lavender essential oil

• 10 drops YL Frankincense essential oil

• 1 tsp Sulfurzyme

 Place medium sauce pan on stove with about 1 cup of water. Put smaller pan inside medium pan. (Make sure the water doesn’t come over the edges..only cover bottom of pan) Turn heat to medium …bring water to a very LOW  boil. Combine oil  and beeswax in the small pan and warm over medium heat. Remove from heat and pour in distilled water. Mix with electric handheld mixer until the ingredients are thick and smooth. Add zinc oxide & Sulfurzyme …mix well. Drop in YL Essential oils. Mix well, store in empty V-6 bottle, or other eco- friendly safe nontoxic bottle.

What Essential Oils Should I Avoid in the Sun?

Remember to avoid essential oils that contain citrus; and this includes your blends! These oils are photosensitive and can create skin spots or discoloration of the skin.

In my recipes I am referring only to Young Living’s Essential Oils, which are clinically tested by ISO and AFNOR standards to be 100% pure Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils. These oils are medicinal quality. Most essential oils on the market are “extended” with petrochemicals. As the essential oils industry is tested by the same standards as the perfume industry, it is legal for them to say they are 100% pure therapeutic grade oils, even when they are “extended.” This is industry standard. You will not get the same results when using other oils.

Have you ever made your own sunscreen? Sound fun or silly? Would love your comments and (positive) feedback! Have any tips or information you can share with us? Please comment below.

disclaimer: These homemade sunscreen recipes have not been evaluated by any regulating bodies and is for personal use only.  Thanks to YL distributors for the sunscreen recipes.