Did you know that most commercial sunscreens contain endocrine disrupters and many of the ingredients cause damage to the oceans reefs, especially coral. Did you know that even though sunscreen use has increased, skin cancer rates have increased, because many of the ingredients in commercial sunscreens are known carcinogens.  Also, Vitamin D deficiency is a growing problem, and most sunscreens don’t allow your body to absorb vitamin D so it is important to get a sufficient amount of sun, 10-20 minutes, without sunscreen between 12-2 pm, then take cover with a hat and sun protecting clothing and/or a natural sunscreen.

If anyone knows about sun damaged skin, I do.  After spending most of my life not protecting my skin from the sun, I want to keep you from making the same mistake. So check out the recipes below, protect yourself and enjoy the outdoors knowing you are doing something good for your immune system and the environment, especially, the oceans.

The following oils can help protect you while enjoying some beach time.

  • Almond Oil- SPF around 5
  • Coconut Oil- SPF 4-6
  • Zinc Oxide SPF 2-20 depending on how much is used
  • Red Raspberry Seed Oil SPF 25-50
  • Carrot Seed Oil –  SPF 35-40
  • Shea Butter – SPF 4-6

Natural Sunscreens

  • 1 oz (30ml) almond oil, 1/2 oz (15ml) coconut oil, 1/2 oz (15ml) Red Raspberry Seed oil
  •  7 drops Lavender essential oil
  • 5 drops Roman Chamomile essential oil
  • 15 drops helichrysum essential oil
  • add zinc oxide until you like the final consistency

Shake to mix and best to make a day ahead so the oils have time to meld

  • 1 oz (30ml) of coconut, 1/2 oz (15ml) almond oil, 1/2 oz (15ml) Red Raspberry Seed oil
  • 5 drops myrrh essential oil
  • 5 drops carrot seed oil
  • 20 drops lavender essentail oil
  • add zinc oxide until you like the final consistency

Shake to mix and best to make a day ahead so the oils have time to meld.

Here is my daily skin care recipe, I make double batches for convenience and store them in wide mouth glass jars for easy cleaning.

2 Tbsp each of coconut, almond, apricot seed and Jojoba oils or 8 Tbsp of any combination of the above oils.  To that add 8 drops of each of the following: frankincense, lavender, rose and German chamomile essential oils.  I also add a few drops each of Helichrysum, Neroli, and Sandalwood.  These are amazing oils they and have wonderful healing properties outside of having sun protective properties, but they are very expensive.

To get good results use only good quality “therapeutic grade” oils. I like bulkapothocary.com and EdenBotanicals.com