Make your own homemade sunscreen. The 3 basic ingredients

Using a sunscreen is essential to protect your skin from damage caused by the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Here are several reasons why using sunscreen is important:

1. Skin cancer prevention: Excessive sun exposure, especially without protection, increases the risk of developing skin cancers, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Sunscreens help reduce this risk by blocking or absorbing harmful UV rays.
2. Protection against sunburn: Sunscreen helps prevent sunburn, which is not only painful but can also cause significant damage to the skin and increase the risk of long-term health problems.
3. Reducing premature aging: Prolonged exposure to the sun without protection can accelerate skin aging and lead to wrinkles, sunspots and loss of elasticity. Sunscreen helps keep skin healthier and younger.
4. Protection against long-term damage: UV radiation can cause long-term damage to the skin, such as: B. Changes in skin texture, uneven pigmentation and the formation of precancerous lesions. Regular use of sunscreen can help prevent these problems.
5. Maintaining skin health: The sun emits UVB and UVA radiation, both of which are harmful to the skin. Sunscreens are designed to block or filter this type of radiation, creating an essential barrier to maintaining skin health.
6. Protection in all seasons: Although the need for sunscreen is often associated with sunny, warm weather, UV radiation can also damage skin on cloudy or cold days. Therefore, it is important to use sunscreen all year round.

The 3 basic ingredients for making a homemade sunscreen

• Zinc oxide: It is a physical sunscreen that reflects and scatters UV rays. It is safe for skin, even sensitive skin. Zinc oxide is measured in grams per 100 grams of product. For example, if you wanted to make a sunscreen with an SPF of 30, you would use 2.5 grams of zinc oxide per 100 grams of product.
• Vegetable oils: They moisturize and protect the skin. The most common vegetable oils for making homemade sunscreen are olive oil, coconut oil, sweet almond oil, and jojoba oil. Each oil has its own properties and benefits. For example, olive oil is moisturizing and soothing, coconut oil is nourishing and antibacterial, sweet almond oil is emollient and softening, and jojoba oil is similar to the skin’s natural sebum.
• Beeswax: It is an emulsifier that helps the ingredients mix evenly. It also helps make the sunscreen water-resistant. Beeswax is measured in grams per 100 grams of product. For example, if you want to make a sunscreen with a light texture, you should use 1 gram of beeswax per 100 grams of product. If you want to make a sunscreen with a thicker, more water-resistant texture, you should use 2 grams of beeswax per 100 grams of product.

Recipes for making sunscreen

Remember that sun protection is important not only to prevent sunburn, but also to reduce the risk of premature aging and the development of skin cancer. If you have concerns about the ingredients in commercial sunscreens, it is advisable to consult a dermatologist for individual recommendations.

In addition to the recipes I already mentioned, here are two more recipes to make homemade sunscreen:

Natural sun protection with avocado oil

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup avocado oil
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1/4 cup beeswax
• 2 tablespoons zinc oxide
• Essential oils (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a glass container, melt avocado oil, coconut oil and beeswax in a water bath.
2. When the ingredients are completely melted, add the zinc oxide and stir until well combined.
3. If you want to add essential oils, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil.
4. Pour the mixture into a clean, dry glass jar.

This sunscreen moisturizes and nourishes. Avocado oil is rich in vitamins A, D and E, which act as antioxidants to protect the skin from sun damage.

Natural sun protection with shea butter

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup shea butter
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup beeswax
• 2 tablespoons zinc oxide
• Essential oils (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a glass container, melt shea butter, olive oil and beeswax in a water bath.
2. When the ingredients are completely melted, add the zinc oxide and stir until well combined.
3. If you want to add essential oils, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil.
4. Pour the mixture into a clean, dry glass jar.

This sunscreen is rich in antioxidants and vitamin E, which help protect skin from sun damage. Shea butter also has a moisturizing and nourishing effect.

Tips for making homemade sunscreen

• To get a high SPF sunscreen, increase the amount of zinc oxide. For example, adding 10 tablespoons of zinc oxide will give you a sunscreen with an SPF of 50.
• If you have sensitive skin, use mild, fragrance-free vegetable oils.
• Test the sunscreen on a small area of ​​skin before applying it all over the body.

Security

It’s important to note that homemade sunscreens are not regulated by the FDA. Therefore, it is important to test it on a small area of ​​skin before applying it to the entire body.