How to Make Natural Sunblock
Protecting your skin is important in the fight against sun damage and cancer. However, sunscreen contains chemicals that are absorbed into the skin which only provide partial protection from harmful UV rays. Sunblock is best for full protection because it presents a physical barrier that does not fully absorb into the skin. If you are wary of chemicals from commercial products, you can make your own natural sunblock with a few items from your neighborhood grocery or health food store. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Double boiler
- Whisk
- Wooden spoon
- 3 oz. sesame seed oil
- 2 oz. cocoa butter
- 1 oz. beeswax
- 5 oz. distilled water
- 2 tbsp. zinc oxide
- Four Vitamin E capsules
- 1 tsp. rosemary tincture
- Clean storage container with lid
Instructions
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1
Fill the lower half of the double boiler with water and allow the water to gently boil over medium high heat on the stove top.
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2
Put the top half of the double boiler in place and melt the sesame oil, cocoa butter and beeswax in it, stirring with the spoon until the mixture reaches a smooth consistency.
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3
Remove the double boiler from the heat and add the distilled water to the mixture. Break open the Vitamin E capsules, adding them to the mixture then whisking until thickened.
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4
Add the zinc oxide and rosemary tincture to the mixture until thoroughly blended.
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5
Allow the sunblock recipe to cool before transferring it to a storage container with a lid.
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6
Store the homemade natural sunblock in the refrigerator in between skin applications.
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Tips & Warnings
Substitutions are allowed--virgin coconut oil for the sesame oil, titanium oxide for the zinc oxide, rosewater for the distilled water and other herbal tinctures for the rosemary tincture are acceptable. If a double boiler is not available, you can fashion your own by choosing a small pot that can nestle comfortably within a larger pot holding the hot water.
The true SPF of this homemade sunblock is not known although sesame oil and coconut oil alone has an SPF around 4 while the zinc oxide is a natural sun-blocking ingredient. Therefore, you will want to reapply often to maintain a layer of skin protection.
