Sunday, May 8, 2011

Make Your Own Sunscreen

The sun is out and you're happy to feel the warm and heat on your back. You enjoy basking in the sun or just sitting by the pool. Although some degree of sun exposure is healthy--they help the body produce vitamin D, too much sun exposure can be hazardous to health. Health experts warn that UV (ultraviolet) radiation from the sun can infliit cellular damage to your skin, eyes and even suppress your immune system. To be specific, UV rays can cause wrinkles, premature skin aging,age spots, skin cancer and eye problems such as cataracts, pigmentation and macular degeneration.

Concerned? We should be. UV rays are not visible to the eye and their harmful effects are often overlooked. However, don't let that fool you. Take steps to minimize the damaging effects of UV radiation.--protect, protect and protect!

  • Protect your skin by slathering on sunscreen. Wear protective clothing and gear (such as hats, shades) when in the sun for long periods of time and always look for shades during the time when UV rays are the strongest (10AM to 4PM). 
  • Protect your eyes with sunglasses, preferably with ones with close to 100% protection against UV rays.
  • Protect your skin by eating lots of fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin B, C and E--they help to counteract against UV radiation.

The sunscreen you buy from the local pharmacy or grocery store may have a wide UV spectrum protection. But are you concerned about the number of chemicals used to do the task? Are you allergic to the chemicals? Or do you simply prefer a greener more natural way to protect your skin, after all, your skin is drinking it some of the stuff.

If you're concerned, just as I'm--you need despair no more. I was surfing the net for natural ways to make your own sunscreen when I stumble upon Sophie Uliano of the Gorgeously Green fame. She makes one fine looking natural sunscreen and it seems so easy, I thought I share it here:



You can use the basic recipe shown in the video and use other oils instead. Nature has endowed us with more choices of oils that offer natural sun protection. Although the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) is not high in most of these oils, you can always kick it up a notch by adding zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, natural minearl  sun filters that don't cause photosensitivity disorders. You can buy them on line.

  • Avocado oil (SPF 6 to 8): My personal favorite and I use it under foundation.
  • Red Raspberry Seed Oil (SPF 28 to 50)
  • Cannabis Oil (SPF 6)
  •  Macadamia Oil (SPF 6)
  •  Jojoba oil (SPF 6)
  • Hemp Seed oil (SPF 6)

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