Summer is all about having fun in the sun, but nowadays we need to protect our skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays. We certainly need some kind of sunscreen, but do we have to use something with chemicals that are not good for us or the environment? Here is a very simple way to make your own natural sunscreen at home. Keep in mind that due to the lack of ozone, there really is no such thing as a “safe” tan, however, if you decide not to be a hermit, it will definitely help like any other sunscreen.
The first ingredient you’ll need for this sunscreen is olive oil, or you can experiment with different types of oil that are safe for your skin, like vitamin E-rich avocado oil. Next, you’ll need beeswax and oxide of zinc or titanium dioxide, both of which should be available at many health food stores or online. Titanium dioxide works a little better, although somewhat harder to find. Either one is the “active” ingredient and is what really protects you. The beeswax is what holds the rust evenly throughout the sunscreen. You can also change the ratio of wax to oil to your liking.
What you will need:
1 cup olive oil or any natural oil
1 ounce of pure beeswax
2 tablespoons of pure zinc oxide (USP grade) or titanium dioxide
Addresses:
1. Heat the oil in a skillet over low heat.
two. Add crumbled beeswax.
3. Keep stirring until the beeswax melts completely.
4. While stirring, slowly add the zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
5. Carefully pour into a glass or ceramic container that can be covered.
6. Once cooled, it is ready for application.
A couple of precautions should be taken. Avoid breathing powdered zinc oxide or titanium dioxide in the first place, as it can be a health risk. Second, it might be a good idea to dedicate a particular pan, spoon, and any other utensil that is used only for this purpose, no longer for making food. Lastly, when applying, make sure that the rust has not settled during cooling. If the sunscreen looks translucent, stir the oxide to get that opaque color.
I hope this provides an alternative to chemical laden sunscreens. It’s a small step to not using chemicals and not to mention saving some green in the process. And remember that sunscreen is not a complete solution to the sun’s rays and it’s not unlimited time in the sun pass.