Natural Sunscreen in 5 Simple Steps

What is life-giving yet we are taught to fear it? The sun! You can't deny that the sun can damage the skin and even cause skin cancers but you have to balance this knowledge with the fact that Vit D is absolutely necessary to your health. So what is a person to do?  Spray on the toxic sunscreens? Definitely not! You want the best the sun has to offer, without the burn or the toxicities.

Grab the links to everything we talk about in this post here. 

Blocking sun exposure on the skin can reduce the level of Vitamin D manufactured in your body. Vitamin D insufficiency is linked to higher rates of cancer, including skin cancer. Sunburn and skin damage from the sun are linked with insufficient levels of Vitamin D.

All this to say, some amount of sun exposure on a regular basis is imperative for overall health and to reduce your risk of sunburn and skin damage.

At the bare minimum, 20 minutes of sun on as much of the body as possible is needed to maintain adequate Vitamin D in the body.

Now, if you are already at a deficit, then this won't be enough. Consult with your healthcare provider about different Vitamin D supplements that might be helpful, but we recommend this fish oil and butter oil combination.

Skin that is not prepared to receive the sun's rays will have the most damage. Sunburns are always damaging and can increase your risk of skin cancers.

One way to prevent this is by exposing your skin to the sun and gradually working up to a tan. Melanin, which is produced when the skin is exposed to UV radiation, is protective against further UV damage. But what if you don't easily tan? Once again, diet can make a difference!

Eat Saturated Fats

Saturated fats get a bad rap but it's really the polyunsaturated/monounsaturated fats that you have to be wary of. In fact, you shouldn't consume those processed fats for any reason as they contribute to overall inflammation which can only further damage the skin. Saturated fats like coconut oil, avocado, eggs, olive oil, nuts, nut butter and fatty fish are all excellent sources of saturated fat. Fats help keep the cells hydrated and resilient--making it harder to develop a sunburn.

Increase your mineral and nutrient intake

There have been many posts and reports about trace mineral deficiencies and just how detrimental they can be to your health. Things like zinc, iron, and magnesium help eliminate photosensitivity. You might be familiar with photosensitivity if you have ever taken an antibiotic that warns you to avoid sun exposure while taking the medication.

The reason for this is that it makes your skin more susceptible to sunburn. This is the case in individuals with low trace minerals. Adding these trace minerals to your diet is incredibly simple.

A pinch of sea salt, a magnesium bath or foot soak and eating bone broth or beef liver can all balance your minerals.

Get our recommended minerals here. 

Lycopene in red fruits, like tomatoes and watermelon, is an antioxidant which can help the skin defend itself. Studies have shown that a significant intake of lycopene can protect against sun damage

Dark chocolate and cacao contain phenols and catechins. These antioxidants protect the skin against sunburns. However, make sure your chocolate is not milk chocolate and is as dark as possible and contains little to no added sugar.

Black, white and green teas all contain polyphenols to fight UV rays. Green tea has epigallocatechin–3–gallate (EGCG), that can slow down sun-related skin aging as well as offering protection against skin cancer.

Broccoli is rich in sulforaphane that helps protect cells against the ravages of UV radiation. 

Omega 3 fatty acids can reduce inflammation, protect your skin from sunburn and melanoma (a deadly form of skin cancer).

Consider a Supplement

Astaxanthin or krill oil is said to protect the skin from damage from the cells out. So it's like an internal measure that works its way outwards.  

Homemade Natural Sunscreen

When you notice your skin is starting to feel hot/burned, it is wise to use some sort of natural sunscreen, preferably before you get too much sun! If you are new to using a natural or homemade sunscreen, I recommend having a trusted natural brand on hand (Purple Prairie is nice), or a homemade version that has a physical barrier in it.

While being in a different region can affect how your skin reacts to the sun too, for the most simple protection from the sun, apply coconut oil with or without a drop or two of Organic carrot seed oil (not essential oil) to your skin before sun exposure to put a buffer between you and the sun. Pair this with a homemade body butter for added layers of protection. Keep in mind that homemade body butter isn't going to protect you from a sunburn, but depending on your carrier oil choices, the harmful ray blocking is compounded.  

Slathering on coconut oil for the beach might remind you of the days when you used baby oil to tan faster but I assure you, they do not work the same at all. Coconut oil and carrot seed oil both help protect the skin. Really, just about any oil that hydrates the skin and helps the cells bind together to prevent penetration by too many rays will make a decent natural sunscreen.

You must know the difference between sunscreen and sunblock, though! If you are going surfing without a body suit and are an Irish pale--you need to be applying a proven sunscreen, possibly a sunblock if you are going out for a long time. Most people don't reapply their sunscreens at all--if you are one of those people, I recommend buying a heavy duty Zinc Oxide Powder, Non-Nano or using a product like ThinkSport or Badger. The ThinkSport doesn't rub into the skin so it is more of a block and is safe to use (they have ThinkBaby for children) and will last longer than a sunscreen on the water.

Natural Sunscreen Recipe

This recipe is one I use personally when we are at the beach or in the sun for extended periods of time. Be sure to test it on your family before a full day of sun play. Diet and genetics can impact your ability to burn and reduce the efficacy of any natural sunscreen product. Get the ingredients here. 

1/4 C coconut oil
2 TB Shea butter
1/4 tsp Red Raspberry seed oil
1/4 tsp Carrot seed oil
1 TB Zinc oxide (optional)

• Combine first four ingredients in a double boiler or a Pyrex measuring cup a pan filled 1.5 inches with water. Turn on the heat and watch for the ingredients to begin to melt. You can stir them a bit to help with the melting. It is important not to allow steam or water droplets to fall into the lotion as this can change the consistency.
• Once melted, stir in the optional Zinc oxide and transfer to an airtight glass container.
• Store out of direct sunlight as much as possible. Stir if you notice any settling of the zinc oxide.
• Apply liberally and often when in the sun.
• Use within 3-4 months.

References:

In Vitro Sun Protection Factor Determination of Herbal Oils Used in Cosmetics: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3140123/

Efficacy Study of Sunscreens Containing Various Herbs for Protecting Skin from UVA and UVB Sunrays: http://www.phcog.com/article.asp?issn=0973-1296;year=2009;volume=5;issue=19;spage=238;epage=248;aulast=Kapoor