Home » Partners & Parents » Natural Family Health » Safe Sunscreens and Bug Repellents for Summer

Safe Sunscreens and Bug Repellents for Summer

© Lara E. Kaskabas

If you are like me, you want to protect your children from harmful UV rays in the summer but worry about the chemicals in commercial sunscreens. The same goes for bug-repellents and the combination sunscreen/bug repellent products on the market: are they safe for your children? What about all of those chemicals? Are they worth the cost? Are they even effective?

Here are some things to remember and some creative ways to keep your kids safe in the sunshine this summer:

If you are going to be outdoors all day on the beach or at the park, remember to reapply every 2 hours for maximum protection. Also, remember to apply lip balm with sunscreen to your toddler's lips, too! Another helpful tip is to make sure you and your family are getting their B vitamins. B vitamins have been shown to reduce the risk of skin cancer and to reduce the risk of damage from harmful UV rays. Don't forget the value of a good hat, either! If your squirmy toddler won't sit still for another application of sunscreen, make sure she/he is wearing a protective hat and sunglasses to protect her/his precious eyesight!
One Step Ahead has a great hat with a visor that protects your child's face from the sun and reduces glare (with a dark underside of the brim on the hat). They also have sunsafe suits, SPF T-Shirts and lots of water safety products.

Here are some tried and true recipes for sunscreen and bug repellent made with essential oils and easy-to-find ingredients!

The following recipe is for a sunblock that will protect you and your family from both UVA and UVB rays. This recipe is courtesy of Better Basics by Annie Berthold Bond.

Better Basic Sunblock Formula 2 1/2 ounces sesame oil 1 1/2 ounces of cocoa butter 1/2 ounce beeswax 4 ounces distilled water 2 tablespoons zinc oxide (available from herbalists such as Jean's Greens--315-845/6500) 25 drops grapefruit seed extract (as a preservative; available in health food stores) Melt the oils and beeswax in a double-boiler over medium heat. Remove from the heat, add the water, and mix with an electric handheld mixer until thick and creamy. Add the zinc oxide and preservatives. Makes 1 cup Preparation Time: 30 minutes Shelf Life: 6 months Storage: Glass jar with screw top

To repel mosquitoes and ticks follow these simple essential oil recipes:

Insect Repellent Oil for Mosquitoes