Sunscreen

Ingredients: Non-nano Zinc oxide, Theobroma Cacao Seed butter, Butyrospermum Parkii butter, Advocado oil, Grapeseed oil, Allantoin, Tocopherols, Carrot Seed oil, Rasperry Seed oil, Propolis, Squalene.

Botanicals: Sambucus canadensis berries, Ginkgo biloba leaves, Camellia sinensis, Aloe barbadensis, Yucca aloifolia extract, Mimosa tenuiflora, Calendula officinalis, Curcuma longa, Moringa oleifera, Achillea millefolium, Taraxacum officinalis, Rosemarinus officinalis, Rubusidaeus leaf, Equisetum arvense, Filipendula ulmaria, Tanacatum parthenium, Plantago major.

EO: lavender

Why using a natural sunscreen?

Avoid Hormone-Disrupting Chemicals

In the years since sunscreen use began, skin cancer rates have risen. Many reports show that most commercial sunscreens actually raise skin cancer risk. This might be due in part to the fact that many sunscreens contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as oxybenzone. Oxybenzone is a known hormone disruptor that isn’t recommended for use on children. It’s been banned in many locations worldwide.

A 2020 study looked at several different active ingredients in sunscreen products. While they did offer SPF protection, chemicals like avobenzone are absorbed into the bloodstream, even after one use.

This sunscreen formulation relies on a physical mineral barrier that stays on the skin’s surface (the zinc oxyde which doesn’t penetrate through as most synthetic chemical sunscreens do) as well as quality oils and active ingredients that do penetrate the skin while contributing to the SPF. Moreover, they nourish & moisturise your skin and make sure it stays hydrated by locking in water which increases the skin barrier and decreases the transepidermal water loss.

Protect the Coral Reefs

Recent research shows the ingredients in many sunscreens harm ocean life, especially coral. Researchers estimate over 5,000 metric tons of sunblock wash off of swimmers each year. This “swimmer pollution” threatens a large part of the coral life in the ocean and many other ocean species as well. This is because these compounds may awaken dormant viruses in symbiotic algae called zooxanthellae, which provide food and colour to the coral.

Some sunscreen ingredients have even been banned in some places like Hawai due to their negative environmental effects on the coral reefs. This natural sunscreen recipe avoids all such ingredients.

Is self-made Sunscreen Dangerous?

Several recent articles claim that self-made natural sunscreens are harmful and you should never make your own sunscreen. This is because the FDA tightly regulates and verifies the SPF protection of commercial sunscreens. Since you can’t verify the SPF of homemade sunscreens, the chance of burning is higher.

We certainly agree that natural self-made sunscreens don’t have the lab testing that conventional ones do. But you know what else they don’t have? Endocrine disruptors and coral-killing compounds. Also, sunscreen should be a last resort as shade and getting out of the sun’s UV rays in the heat of the day are better options anyway.

So while maybe we shouldn’t use self-made sunscreens like conventional ones, we’d also argue we shouldn’t use conventional sunscreens in the way we do either!

Bottom Line: Use common sense and get safe sun exposure. The amount and safety will vary by person. We recommend doing your own research and talking to a knowledgeable naturopath or dermatologist to figure out what works best for you.

Use the Shade or Cover Up

If I’m going to be out in the sun for much longer than my skin is used to, it’s easy enough to put on a hat or shirt to shield my skin. This is the approach that the Environmental Working Group (EWG) recommends. It’s more effective at stopping excess sun exposure, costs less, and doesn’t harm the environment. A common sense win/win scenario.

Use Natural Sunscreen When Needed

If I’m going to be in intense sun and can’t easily cover up, or simply as a precaution before going out whether I know I will be in the sun or not, I will use a natural sunscreen. 

Important Note: Unlike most sunscreens, natural selfmade sunscreens may not be as waterproof or have as high (or broad spectrum) SPF. They may not protect as fully against UVA and UVB rays. I am not recommending entirely avoiding sunscreen or getting too much sun which could lead to sunburn or sun damage. Use your common sense.

Support Skin From the Inside Out

Sun exposure itself isn’t the only factor linked to skin cancer. Many nutritional factors such as optimal vitamin D levels, or even reducing harmful omega-6 vegetable oils, can have a big impact on skin health. Getting enough antioxidants in our diet from colorful fruits and veggies also plays a big role. This is also where the long list of botanicals included in our ingredients come into play. They nourish the skin and protect it by increasing it’s immunity, making it better prepared when it comes to UV damage.

Natural Sunscreen SPF

This sunscreen uses a blend of waxes, butter, and oils to make a moisturising base. The main ingredient for natural SPF (sun protection factor) though is zinc oxide. It acts as a barrier on the skin to block harmful UV rays. Non-nano and uncoated zinc oxide is the healthiest option for skincare.

This recipe uses about 20% zinc oxide which is roughly an SPF of around 20. Keep in mind it hasn’t been tested by a regulatory organization for exact SPF. My sunscreen also uses skin-nourishing and moisturising antioxidant ingredients for even more skin protection. These include red raspberry seed oil, carrot seed oil, and vitamin E, allantoin, and much more, and they all bring their share to the overall SPF of the formulation.

Although at around 25-30, the final SPF of this sunscreen is difficult to determine with precision. I have used it here in Kenya including at the coast, and it did the job while nourishing my skin. Nevertheless, never forget to apply the above given advice.

As always check with your doctor or dermatologist before using any new products.

Essential Oils

The lavender essential oil has antioxidant properties and brings its contribution to increasing the overall SPF.

Visit the following link for better understanding of the way UV A-B-C affect our skin: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/j7wd9k3agwj0uv5gha6fb/Herbal-sunscreen.pdf?rlkey=lsh0py8mf1em3m2j4erbdi713&st=an3qlgfq&dl=0