Sunshining Days

A couple posts ago, in the Hello Sunshine! post I talked about the dangers of sunblock. As I mentioned, I knew there were a few alternatives to commercial sunscreens.

Basically, if you're using commercial sunscreens you are more than likely causing more harm than good. This is caused by the chemicals that are mixed in with everything else that prevents your skin from absorbing the rays of the sun.

As mentioned in the Sunshine post here are a few chemicals that are in most sunscreens:

•Oxybenzone

•Octyl-methoxycinnamate

•Retinyl palmitate

(Who can pronounce these?  I can't!)

Please read the Hello Sunshine! blog post to see what these unpronoucable words cause.

I have done little research about natural alternatives for sunblocks and here is what I found...

1. If you know that you are going to be in the sun for long periods of time, make sure you are dressed for it (Put a hat on!).
2. Drink water! You won't burn if you are hydrated.
3. Use zinc oxide.  You can get this at most stores. This is an all-natural substance. Or...
4. Make your own sunscreen.

I plan on making a sunscreen here soon. (One that I will be able to open doorsknobs after I use it.)

But, in the meantime here are a couple DIYers.  

• Mix a couple of tablespoons of zinc oxide with a favorite all-natural lotion. Now it is your favorite sunscreen!
• Use plain ol' zinc oxide as sunscreen.

 Here is a recipe that I found, I haven't made it yet... will write a review on it later.

•1/2 cup almond or olive oil

•1/4 cup coconut oil (natural SPF 4)

•1/4 cup beeswax

•2 Tablespoons Zinc Oxide (This makes a natural SPF of 20+ or more can be added.)

•Optional: 1 teaspoon Vitamin E oil

•Optional: 2 tablespoons Shea Butter (natural SPF 4-5)

•Optional: Essential Oils, Vanilla Extract or other natural extracts

What you do:

1. Combine ingredients except zinc oxide in a pint sized or larger glass jar.
2. Fill a medium saucepan with a couple inches of water and place over medium heat. (you are gonna do the double-boiler method.)
3. Put a lid on the jar loosely and place in the pan with the water.
4. As the water heats, the ingredients in the jar will start to melt. Shake or stir occasionally to incorporate. When all ingredients are completely melted, add the zinc oxide, stir in well and pour into whatever jar or tin you will use for storage. Small mason jars (pint size) are great for this. It will not pump well in a lotion pump!
5. Stir a few times as it cools to make sure zinc oxide is incorporated.
6. Use as you would regular sunscreen. Best if used within six months.

So if you do this it will be a SPF of about 28+.

I will make some sunblock and have review for y'all here soon.

Till then...

photo source