Sunscreen Safety

Do you know what’s in your sunscreen? I do. Five Ingredients.

• Shea Butter
  
• Coconut Oil
  
• Beeswax
  
• Non-Nano Zinc Oxide
  
• Essential Oils

That’s it. And yes, it works great.

That majority of sunscreens on the market contain chemical filters. The FDA has not reviewed the potential hazards of these sunscreen filters. They grandfathered in the ingredients being used in the late 1970s when they began considering the safety of sunscreens. Common ingredients include oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate.

The biggest ingredient to be concerned about is oxybenzone, which is in over 60 percent of non-mineral sunscreens. This chemical can cause allergic skin reactions and is a weak estrogen with potent anti-androgenic effects. Oxybenzone penetrates the skin, goes into the bloodstream and can mimic estrogen in the body.

The majority of sunscreen is made up of “inactive ingredients.” A common one is retinyl palmitate, a form of vitamin A. In the diet, vitamin A is of course very beneficial. A 2012 government study found that on exposed skin, retinyl palmitate may speed the growth of cancerous tumours.

That’s why I choose to make my own.

Take a look at EWG’s Guide to Sunscreens and see how your sun protector adds up. I always have a backup of store-bought natural sunscreen in Jackson’s diaper bag. I prefer Garden Goddess Organics Baby Sunscreen, which the EWG gives a rating of 1 (the best score).

DIY Sunscreen Ingredients

I purchase the shea butter, beeswax, and non-nano zinc oxide from Amazon. The coconut oil I get from Costco and the only essential oils I trust and use on my family is doTERRA. If you’re interested in essential oils, click here to learn more.

Shea butter and coconut oil both are super soothing and nourishing for the skin. Beeswax also helps soften and soothe skin by creating a barrier to seal moisture in. Mineral sunscreens typically contain 18-20% non-nano zinc oxide to ensure an SPF of 30, which this DIY Natural Sunscreen does in fact contain.

Lavender is frequently used to reduce the appearance of skin imperfections. Helichrysum is best known for its restorative properties to the skin. Also referred to as the Everlasting or Immortal Flower, Helichrysum is used in anti-aging products for its rejuvenating benefits to the skin. Helichrysum can help reduce the appearance of blemishes, and it promotes a glowing, youthful complexion. It can help hydrate burnt skin and block UV-light damage.

Get a little too much sun by accident? My Super Easy DIY Body Butter is perfect for soothing that burnt skin of yours.