Homemade Sunscreen

Sunscreens contain more and more chemicals every year, many of which have been shown to cause cancer, alter hormone regulation and stay in the body.

The Environmental Working Group explains a collection of studies which show the dangers of the chemicals in sunscreen. The damaging effects of the active ingredients in sunscreen have tested to cause skin allergy, disruption of hormones, negatively impact reproduction and lead to low sperm count in men.

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The inactive ingredients are a chemical structure that colors the product, makes it smooth and shelf stable. The EWG says, “Inactive ingredients in sunscreens typically make up half to nearly all of a sunscreen product.”

Even though the sunscreen ingredients show to penetrate less than 1% of the skin they are found in mother’s breast milk.

The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology says, “Studies have shown that UVA impairs the antigen presenting cell (APC) activity of the epidermal cells and thereby causes immune suppression, thus contributing to the growth of skin cancer.”

The optimal way to avoid sun damage is to expose yourself to the sun in increasing amounts daily bringing the melanin to the surface of the skin. Combined with a nutrient dense diet, like stage 2 GAPS, the skin just won’t burn.

Cellular Microbiology says, “Melanins are enigmatic pigments that are produced by a wide variety of microorganisms including several species of pathogenic bacteria, fungi and helminths. The study of melanin is difficult because these pigments defy complete biochemical and structural analysis.”

They go on to say, “Production of melanin has also been linked to protection against environmental insults. Interference with melanization is a potential strategy for antimicrobial drug and pesticide development.”

Melanin is found inside cells, in layers in the cell wall and outside cells.

The Journal of Infectious Diseases published a study showing, “Glyphosate inhibits melanization.”

To read more about the effectivity of homemade sunscreen ingredients click here. 

Making your own sunscreen is simple and quick, a process a child could perform.

Clean Sunscreen

1/4 cup olive oil (SPF 7.5)
1/2 cup coconut oil (SPF 7.1)
2 tablespoons shea butter
2 ounces beeswax*
1 teaspoon carrot seed oil (SPF 15)
1 teaspoon red raspberry seed oil (SPF b/w 28 and 50)
2 tablespoons zinc oxide powder (SPF 11-12)
1 teaspoon lemon grass essential oil (SPF 6.3)
2 teaspoons lavender essential oil (SPF 6)

* For a thicker lotion, less oily, add more beeswax.

Put a pint mason jar in a pot partially filled with water. Add all ingredients to the pot and heat on lowest setting. When all ingredients are melted, stir. 

Let cool. Use.

[yumprint-recipe id=’34’] 

Click here to read the SPF breakdown of zinc oxide. 

*Nourishing Plot is written by Becky Plotner, ND, traditional naturopath, CGP, D.PSc. who sees clients in Rossville, Georgia. She works as a Certified GAPS Practitioner who sees clients in her office, Skype and phone. She has been published in Wise Traditions, spoken at two Weston A. Price Conferences, Certified GAPS Practitioner Trainings, has been on many radio shows, television shows and writes for Nourishing Plot. Since her son was delivered from the effects of autism (Asperger’s syndrome), ADHD, bipolar disorder/manic depression, hypoglycemia and dyslexia, through food, she continued her education specializing in Leaky Gut and parasitology through Duke University, finishing with distinction. She is a Chapter Leader for The Weston A. Price Foundation. becky.nourishingplot@hotmail.com

“GAPS™ and Gut and Psychology Syndrome™ are the trademark and copyright of Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride. The right of Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Patent and Designs Act 1988.