Undeniably, sun rhymes with sunscreen. The benefits of the sun are undeniable, but as every summer season, the only watchword is protection! A sunscreen is used to reduce the exposure of the skin to ultraviolet radiation from the sun and is a means of photoprotection, functioning as an ultraviolet filter. However, even if the substances of a sunscreen remain on the dermis, they can potentially present some health risks hence the need to use natural products.
Between premature aging of the skin and skin reactions of all kinds, the sun can be dangerous to health if we do not take precautions. The immediate risks of bad exposure are of course sunburn, but in the longer term we are at risk of skin cancer. It is therefore essential to barrier all UV with solar protection and the higher the index, the more we are protected from the sun's rays. But as this type of cream penetrates the skin, some ingredients can potentially cause skin problems to people with sensitive skin. All this is the subject of a lot of debate between dermatologists and researchers about certain chemical ingredients found in sunscreens.
Health professionals have also accused some components of sun creams, such as retinyl palmitate and oxybenzone, from contributing to the development of skin cancer, but the studies are still few and controversial.
In any case, to ensure optimal protection, you should test this homemade zinc oxide-based sunscreen that contains no chemicals or preservatives. Zinc oxide is an excellent filter that protects the skin from UV rays and is the main ingredient in normal sun protection. When combined with moisturizing shea butter and coconut oil, it acts as an ultra-protective sunscreen. There are two types of sunscreens to protect the skin from the sun: the chemical screen and the physical screen (mineral) and the naturally prepared screen are in the second category. The mineral shield remains on the surface of the skin and acts as a barrier by reflecting the rays and preventing them from penetrating through the skin.
Homemade solar screen and water resistant
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup of coconut oil
- 1/4 cup of shea butter
- 2 tablespoons of non-nano zinc oxide
- 1 tablespoon of beeswax
- 10 drops of essential oil (lavender, vanilla, do not use citrus oil)
Preparation:
Using a bain-marie, melt the coconut oil, shea butter and beeswax in a water bath until a completely liquid mixture is obtained. Then add the zinc oxide and the essential oils. Pour to finish in a small pot and keep in a cool and dry place. The lotion will thicken on cooling.
Benefits of this natural sunscreen
This sunscreen moisturizes the skin while protecting it from the sun thanks to a (SPF) natural sun protection factor and is also very resistant to water thanks to the presence of beeswax.
SPF levels in a homemade sunscreen may be difficult to determine, but to achieve a SPF of more than 20, a minimum of 20% zinc oxide must be added to the natural screen. It is recommended to reapply this sunscreen minimum every 2 hours, in case of swimming or physical activity. It is usually recommended to use a SPF between 15 and 50 (15 for short exposure to the sun and 30+ for long exposure to the sun). The best is to limit its exposure to the sun and to avoid exposures between 11 am and 4 pm, hours when the UV radiation is the most powerful and the most harmful. In addition to increasing the risk of sunburn, exposure during these hours increases those of getting sunstroke, especially in children.
In addition to the satisfaction of having been able to manufacture one's own sunscreen, it has as many advantages as a sunscreen bought on the market or in drugstore. Indeed, you will benefit as much from a real hydration thanks to the presence of shea and to the lauric acid contained in the coconut oil, than from a real sunscreen thanks to the presence of zinc oxide. nano.
