This summer I gave the homemade option a shot. I did hours upon hours of research, and yet still couldn't come to a perfectly clear answer. There is a 50/50 divide amongst the so called "experts". Then you have to ask yourself if the experts on the "only use store bought" end are driven by the money they stand to make from it.
After reading all of the possible dangers that man-made chemicals can cause, I decided that trying to make some homemade sunscreen that I could control all of the ingredients to couldn't hurt. And, it turned out to be a success.
Keep in mind that your skin does need some sun exposure. You need to absorb some vitamin D. So don't be afraid to go without sunblock for just a little bit.
Changing your diet can also help protect your skin. Try to avoid processed food and sugars. And add in foods that are anti-inflammatory aids like tomato paste, leafy greens, fresh produce, you know- the healthy stuff! :)
I researched the three types of uv-ray blocking ingredients and these are your options:
- titanium dioxide (possible carcinogen)
- zinc oxide ( most natural of the three, comes from sand and this is what you used to see life guards wear on their noses)
- man-made chemicals (almost never a good thing)
My recipe is a nice thick sunscreen. You need to apply this type of sunscreen every two hours- no less! And when you add in your zinc YOU MUST WEAR A MASK!!! Do not inhale the powder. The zinc powder you want should be non nano zinc. Meaning it is slighty larger "granules' so to speak so that it cannot enter your bloodstream. Your skin is your largest organ, and if you put nano zinc powder on your skin it can enter your bloodstream. Not good.
Use a milk frother or stick blender to mix your zinc into your sunscreen and don't stop. You want it to be as smooth as possible and avoid clumping.
I store this in a jar, because it is much easier to get out of a jar than a bottle.
My sunscreen recipe contains: (my recipe is about spf 20)
zinc oxide powder
coconut oil
shea butter
green tea butter (excellent product for your skin!!!)
almond oil
beeswax (helps create a slightly waterproof barrier)
vitamin E
lavender or vanilla essential oils (totally optional)
If you are interested in this sunscreen but don't have the time or money to purchase all of these ingredients, you can visit my etsy shop and contact me for an order of sunscreen. Currently it is not in my shop, but it will be eventually.
Visit: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MelaniesApothecary
At the end of the day, you need to make your own decision about what is safe for your family. I am going the natural route. I am trying to slowly get rid of the mass produced man-made products in our home.
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