Herbal Sunscreen recipe. Non-Toxic, Water resistant, Healing. (2024)

We need regular sun exposure (without sunscreen) for our skin to produce vitamin D naturally. The way our bodies make vitamin D is to convert sunshine into chemicals through which Vitamin D becomes a hormone within the body, a secosteroid hormone. It helps the body to absorb calcium and phosphate from our diet andimpacts not only our skeletal structure, but also our blood pressure, immunity, behavior, brain function and ability to protect ourselves from various diseases.

Some of the Vitamin D deficiency symptoms arecancer, autoimmune diseases, depression, insomnia,diabetes,asthma,multiple sclerosis, psoriasis,autism…

In my family we only use the sunscreen if we are going to be exposed to the sun longer thanit takes for our skin to go red or burn and this time varies from person to person.

For us – being under the sun without clothing for over 5-6 hours straight and/or between 11 am and 2 pm, when the sun is at its pick, that’s when we most likely to get the sunburn.

We recently went on a short vacation to a Delaware Beach, so for that trip I came up with this recipe to protect us from all the spectrum of the Uncomfortable that comes with a sunburn!

We were on the beach for over 6 hours every day without using much shade and none of us got burnt! Well, scratch that! I got burnt because I didn’t think my rear needed protection, so I just rubbed some on my shoulders and the back and thought I’ll be OK. But even so, I used the sunscreen afterwards and it took some of the Uncomfortable away, and for the first time my skin didn’t peeled off!

The five of us have different type of skin: my Hubby is dark but burns easily, I am light but not easily burnt; my oldest son Chris, he is as light as I am, but burns easy and fast. My middle son Daniel is the most pale of the bunch but not easily burn, and my youngest daughter Melania has very dark skin (probably took after my pure Gypsy Grandfather), she tans fast and was never even close to a sunburn, I only applied the sunscreen on her on the 3rd day of our vacation, just in case.

My boys and the Husband got the sunscreen applied only twice per day (around 10 am and 1pm), because it end up to be pretty water resistant and even after 2-3 hours in the water was not washed away. The smell was very pleasant too.

Greasy? – Yes, it is, but so it should be to keep you from burning and cutting your vacation fun short.

For all of us, including my 6.3 feet tall with broad shoulders Husband we used less than 2 oz of the Herbal Sunscreen. I will keep the leftovers it in my fridge for when we need it next, probably next summer, as its shelflife is 1-2 years.

The recipe will yield 9 oz.

While we all know sunscreen’s main job is to protect us, what some of us don’t know is that the most of conventional sunscreens out there are doing just the opposite. In fact, many conventional sunscreens contain ingredients harmful to the environment and human health.

Read about conventional sunscreen toxicity in this article:“The Trouble With Ingredients in Sunscreens”
In the other hand many articles on the internet say that homemade sunscreens are useless and downright harmful and that a person should never consider making their own because it is difficult to verify the SPF, making the chance of burning higher.

It is true that homemade sunscreens don’t have the lab testing that conventional ones do, but even with lab testing, conventional brands get away with putting endocrine disruptors and coral killing compounds in our sunscreens. So what good are the lab testing for?

"How Much Sunshine Does it Take to Make Enough Vitamin D?" by Dr.Mercola

"How do I know if my skin’s sun-sensitive?" cancer research/UK

Synthetic fragrance or “perfume” is another health-harming ingredient that is used in conventional sunscreens. Read how really toxic the chemical fragrances areHERE.

Not just a few but all of them toxins cause central nervous system damage.

Is anyone still thinks it’s ok to put on our kid’s skin when we all know that some of it will be absorbed into the bloodstream within approximately 28 seconds?

Especially when you can simply make your own that not only protects your skin very well but has amazing skin moisturizing, nourishing and healing properties? Yes, please!

Organic, high-quality Avocado Oil (SPF 15). Is a highly therapeutic oil rich in vitamins A, B1, B2 Pantothenic acid, D, E, proteins, and lecithin. A very good, penetrating nutrient for dry skin. Packed with healing and regenerating qualities for your skin. High in sterolins, which are known to help reduce age spots and help heal scar tissue and sun damage.

Comfrey flowering stalkswhich contain allantoin. Allantoin has long been used for its healing, soothing, and anti-irritating properties. Allantoin is a nucleotide that naturally occurs in the body and absorbs the spectrum of UV radiation which damages the cell’s fragile DNA. Allantoin helps to heal wounds and skin irritations and stimulates the growth of healthy tissue. Some clinical studies confirm that allantoin enhances skin repair. Allantoin can be found in anti-acne products, sun care products, clarifying lotions,toothpaste, mouthwash, and other oral hygiene products as well as in shampoos, lipsticks, and other cosmetic and pharmaceutical products, because of its ability to help heal minor wounds and promote healthy skin.
The only thing is that the type of allantoin is added to commercial products is isolated from cow urine! Eew! Allantoin is a product of the oxidation of uric acid. It is also a product of purine metabolism in most mammals except for higher apes, and it is present in their urine. In humans, uric acid is excreted instead of allantoin.

Plantain leaves. St.John’s Wort.
Unrefined Raw Organic Shea Butter(6-10 SPF) – is derived from the vegetable fat of the Karite Tree that is indigenous to Africa. Raw, unrefined Shea butter contains vitamins and minerals such as vitamins A and E, as well as essential fatty acids. It has been used for centuries for its moisturizing, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties will soothe, hydrate and balance your skin adding a breathable, water-resistant film and is the leading natural product for moisturizing, rebuilding and rejuvenating collagen production.
Organic Coconut Oil (8 SPF) moisturizing, anti-bacterial.
Beeswax from my own Buckfast Honey Bees, all organic of course(!) is antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. It seals in moisture while not clogging pores provides a layer of sun protection and locks the oils in creating a waterproof barrier on your skin.
Pumpkinseed oil (Cucurbita pepo)deserves greater recognition. With a lipid profile containing high levels of linoleic acid (43 – 53%), it contains two classes of antioxidant compounds: Tocopherols and phenolics, which account for 59% of the antioxidant effects.
Sesame oil resists 30% of UV rays
Vitamin E Oil protects cell membranes from light-induced damage. Topical application of these antioxidants to the skin has been shown to reduce acute and chronic photodamage. It is also acts as a preservative, greatly extenting the shelf life.
Red Raspberry Oilis a proven anti-aging and antioxidant powerhouse builds a natural filter to broad-spectrum UVA & UVB rays. It contains 45-50 SPF on its own, and also have clinically significant anti-inflammatory properties and proves to be a fantastic sunscreen.
Carrot Seed Oil(40 SPF) has significant antioxidant, antiseptic and fragrant properties with high levels of vitamin A. According to a study published in “Pharmacognosy Magazine” in 2009, products containing carrot seed oil have a natural SPF of 38 and 40.
Zinc Oxide (non-nano)– Zinc Oxide is a naturally occurring mineral that blocks UV rays (SPF 2-20)
Myrrh Essential Oil contains an SPF 20 and provides an extra dose of protection and wonderful scent..
Lavender essential oil – SPF 6

Tea tree essential oil – SPF 2(Melaleuca alternifolia) is an ancient aboriginal remedy. It is an effective antiseptic, fungicide, and germicide. It is a popular component of many sunscreen formulations that relieve sunburn by increasing blood flow in capillaries, bringing nutrients to damaging skin.

Foods that are rich in Vitamin D are:

Fish (wild caught),

Eggs (pasture raised, organic),

Maitake and Portobello Mushrooms (exposed to UV light).

Vitamin Crich foods is the body’s most important “intracellular and extracellular aqueous-phase antioxidant. Vitamin C provides many benefits to the skin—most significantly, increased synthesis of collagen and photoprotection. Photoprotection is enhanced by the anti-inflammatory properties of vitamin C. Photoprotection over many months allows the skin to correct previous photodamage, the synthesis of collagen and inhibition of MMP-1 was proven to decrease wrinkles, and the inhibition of tyrosinase and anti-inflammatory activity result in depigmenting solar lentigines.[75]

Vitamin C is found in active form and substantial quantities in Rosehip seed oil.”

Printable labels for Avery 2″ (in.) Print-to-the-Edge Round Labels 22807

Or you can print them on a regular paper, cut out and glue onto your jars. Or decoupage them on to make them more durable.

"a man who knows that the world is not given by his fathers, but borrowed from his children; who has undertaken to cherish it and do it no damage, not because he is duty-bound, but because he loves the world and loves his children…"

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