Natural Sunscreen Skin Protection Home Remedies + Recipe

DID YOU KNOW... Full Body Artisan Spa Bars from Suds Me Up Buttercup already contain two out of the six ingredients listed in the image above! It's true. In every bar you are pampering your skin with a generous dose of Shea Butter and Carrot Oil/Extract to protect your body from the sun.

Oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate, or octinoxate... am I speaking a foreign language? Nope, that is just a few of the common chemicals found in every sunscreen you will find in all the retail stores and pharmacies across America.

If you're like me though you are already asking yourself, what are those chemicals and what are they doing to my body? Moreso, how can I make sure I avoid them and use products that are natural and still give me the same amount of protection, if not more!

The danger of using chemicals in sunscreen is that they don't "sit on top" of the skin as they are intended to do so but instead sink deep into our pores and bloodstream causing further damage to our organs. The main ingredients in almost every sunscreen product on the market today is Oxybenzone. This chemical has been tested numerous times and across the board has shown to increase the endocrine system promoting the spread of cancer cells by a weakened immune system. I'm not sure how you feel but as someone who has been heavilty impacted by cancer, this is not okay on any level to be selling to individuals, especially children.

If that isn't scary enough, almost all humans have this chemical in their blood because of our widespread use of sunscreen. It is also found in mother's breast milk and as may be obvious affects the growth and health of our unborn babies.

To say sunscreen is bad is an understatement, but you know I would never warn you of the bad guys out there without giving you the positive side of every situation!

BE  SMART  ABOUT  SUN  EXPOSURE

Each person is different in how we are created, but one thing remains true across the board, we all need exposure to the sun. Almost all humans are lacking in Vitamin D and the main reason is because we can only absorb this nutrient from sun exposure. In addition, we are told to drink our milk for calcium for healthy bones, but did you know that only 25% of your daily calcium intake is being absorbed into your body without that added Vitamin D.

It's safe to say that we all need to be outside more, but that doesn't mean we should expose ourselves to becoming sunburned or heat exhaustion (or as in last week's blog post- heat rashes). So what do we do, glad you asked!

1. Stay hydrated. This may seem obvious, but we need to consume at least half our body weight daily in fluid ounces to stay hydrated. Being hydrated keeps our system cool, organs functioning properly, and prevents becoming over heated from dehydration.

2. Find a big shade tree. Stepping out of the sun into a shaded area can reduce the temperature by 10 degrees and that change makes a big impact. When you start to feel tired, you need to stop and seek shelter. Listen to your body when outside and get out of direct sunlight.

3. Cover up your body. Make sure  to bring with you a swimsuit cover, a large hat, and sunglasses. We need to remember that our everyday life going to and from work, going out to lunch or dinner, and even sitting next to a window while we relax all exposes us to the sun. But that doesn't mean we have to shut ourselves up in a dark room, we just need to add an extra layer of protection while we go about our business- thank you Lord for clothes and accessories!

4. Handmade Sunscreen! Stay natural, apply abundantly, repeat often.

** Important Note: Unlike most sunscreens, natural and homemade sunscreens may not be as waterproof or have as high (or broad spectrum) SPF. Homemade versions may not protect as fully against UVA and UVB rays. I am not recommending entirely avoiding sunscreen or getting too much sun that could lead to sunburn or sun damage.

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RECIPE FOR NATURAL SUNSCREEN TO MAKE AT HOME

Ingredients:
1 cup Coconut Oil
1 cup Shea Butter/Cocoa Butter/or Mango Butter (or mix all 3)
1 cup Beeswax
2 tbsp Non-nano Zinc Oxide
Option- Vitamin E Oil (1 Teaspoon for each cup used in recipe)
Option- Essential Oil or Vanilla (few drops- NO CITRUS OILS)

Directions:
1. In a double boiler, mix coconut oil, butter, and beeswax together on low heat.
2. Let all ingredients melt together stirring frequently.
3. Remove from double boiler and let cool.
4. Add Non-nano Zinc Oxide and stir until well-blended.
5. Next add the optional Vitamin E Oil (This helps preserve and make product last longer)
6. At the same time, add the optional Essential Oil
7. Mix well.
8. Pour immediately into a container and set to the side to completely harden.

This recipe takes about 1 hour to make depending on the equipment use and quantity of sunscreen you want to make.

Suds Me Up Buttercup is available for custom orders of making all-natural sunscreen bars for you and your family! Simply contact me to place your custom order today. Perfect for summer parties, birthday favors, and even bridal shower and wedding favors and YES they can be colored to fit your theme!

Stay safe out there and as always, nourish your skin with healthy, natural ingredients!