A good sunscreen helps the skin maintain its natural oils and moisture, and protects the skin against UVA and UVB rays.
Using sunscreen with a high SPF is important for everyone, especially if you are fair-skinned or have a family history of cancer. There is no such thing as a safe tan.
Avocado oil, sesame oil and shea butter contain a low SPF sunscreen. However, they have limited VA/UVB-filtering ability and you should not use them as your only skin protection. For a natural sunscreen with a higher SPF, use a commercial sunscreen with titanium dioxide.
To keep homemade sunscreen from spoiling, use only clean utensils for preparation and storage. Store lotions in the refrigerator, where they will keep for about 3-4 weeks.
To achieve maximum protection, apply sunscreen to dry skin 30 minutes before exposure. Limit your sun time to under an hour.
Natural Protection Cream Recipe
- 3 tbsp. unrefined sesame oil
- 1 tbsp. unrefined avocado oil
- 1 tbsp. unrefined jojoba oil
- 1 tbsp. walnut or almond oil
- 1 tbsp. shea butter
- 2 tbsp. cocoa butter
- 1 tsp. beeswax
- 1 tsp. soy-lecithin liquid
- 2 tbsp. aloe vera gel
- 2 tbsp. rose or lavender water
- 1/2 tsp. borax powder
- 20 drops carrot-seed essential oil
- 3-5 drops coconut fragrance oil (optional)
- Melt the first 4 oils, butters and beeswax in a double boiler over medium heat until just melted. Add the soy-lecithin, and stir to blend. Remove from heat.
- In a small saucepan, gently warm the aloe vera gel and rose or lavender water, and stir in borax powder until dissolved. Remove from heat.
- When the oil and water mixtures are still warm to the touch and about the same temperature, set the small saucepan into a bowl of ice. Drizzle in the oil mixture while mixing rapidly with a small whisk; a cream will quickly form.
- Add carrot-seed essential oil and coconut fragrance oil, if desired; blend thoroughly.
NOTE: avoid using citrus oils, such as bergamont, orange, lemon or lime. They may cause unpleasant skin reactions when exposed to the sun. They also reduce a sunscreen's effectiveness.
For After-Sun Relief
- To help cool and moisturize sunburned skin, apply a thin coat of yogurt or aloe vera gel to reddened areas.
- Spray pure lavender water or hydrosol freely on sun-damaged skin to keep skin hydrated, prevent peeling and promote the regeneration of cells.
- Add 2-3 drops of lavender oil to 1 tsp. of a carrier oil, such as sweet almond oil, and massage into affected area. Or apply diluted St. John's wort oil.
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