It’s summertime, and that means sun! If you’re like me, you love the sun, but also need a little sunscreen from time to time so you don’t burn too badly. Most sunscreens available are HORRIBLE, for your skin, your body and the environment. Many contain a compound, oxybenzone, a known endocrine disruptor that is not recommended for children. And, this is just one of the nasty things in them. I’ve written articles on the dangers of endocrine disruptors in skincare and cosmetic products, so I’ll just skip straight to the recipe. This is a great recipe for a natural sunscreen.
Homemade sunscreen is not water proof, and will need to be reapplied regularly. Don’t inhale the zinc oxide (but this is the substance that is the most protective against the ultraviolet rays).
Homemade Sunscreen Ingredients
- ½ cup almond or olive oil
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- ¼ cup beeswax (add more or less to change consistency)
- 2 Tbs Zinc Oxide (Use a non-nano version that won’t be absorbed into the skin)
- 2 Tbs Shea Butter –optional
- Optional: Essential oils, vanilla extract or other natural extracts
Homemade Sunscreen Instructions
1. Use a double burner (or glass jar in a saucepan with water) to melt all ingredients except zinc oxide. Stir occasionally to fully incorporate all ingredients.
2. Remove and add zinc oxide and stir well as it cools to make sure zinc oxide gets mixed in adequately.
3. Pour in containers.
4. Store at room temperature
Quick and Easy
If you don’t have time to make this recipe, take your favorite lotion and add zinc oxide to it (2 tbs or so to a cup), and shake it up really well – BAM! sunscreen!
Node Smith, associate editor for NDNR, is a fifth year naturopathic medical student at NUNM, where he has been instrumental in maintaining a firm connection to the philosophy and heritage of naturopathic medicine amongst the next generation of docs. He helped found the first multi-generational experiential retreat, which brings elders, alumni, and students together for a weekend campout where naturopathic medicine and medical philosophy are experienced in nature. Three years ago he helped found the non-profit, Association for Naturopathic ReVitalization (ANR), for which he serves as the board chairman. ANR has a mission to inspire health practitioners to embody the naturopathic principles through experiential education. Node also has a firm belief that the next era of naturopathic medicine will see a resurgence of in-patient facilities which use fasting, earthing, hydrotherapy and homeopathy to bring people back from chronic diseases of modern living; he is involved in numerous conversations and projects to bring about this vision.
