Home-Made Herbal Sunscreen Lotion Recipe

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.

Storage and Proper Application of Sunscreen

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)

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
  The copyright of the article Home-Made Herbal Sunscreen Lotion Recipe in Herbal Lore is owned by Ellen Lord. Permission to republish Home-Made Herbal Sunscreen Lotion Recipe in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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