DIY Sunscreen: SPF the Safe Way...

Have you ever considered the hidden ingredients in sunscreen or considered a Do It Yourself Sunscreen? I hadn't until I was approached by Michelle. She points out the benefits of DIY Sunscreen and the harmful ingredients of the store bought kind. Michelle works at Skana, an upscale spa within the Turning Stone Spa & Casino and today shares an easy recipe for an all natural sunscreen.

Go Natural with Sunscreen This Summer

The next time you head to the store to pick up your sunscreen, think twice. Skin cancer is a serious concern to have and wrinkling isn't any fun either. However, commercially produced sunscreens are chock full of chemicals. Some chemicals you should watch out for are: oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate. Whether you find three of them on the label or all six, chemical filters do not sound appealing. A good rule of thumb for your body should be to only use products with a natural base. Otherwise, you could regret it.

According to the Environmental Grantmakers Association, oxybenzone should be avoided, and that's only highlighting one of the common chemical filters that are used. At least 80% of the products on the market contain this chemical, yet studies have shown it could have serious ramifications. From affecting the development of a fetus in the womb, to causing damage to a woman's reproductive system or affecting hormone levels.

However there is hope! The experts from Skana spa of the New York resort Turning Stone have shared with us a recipe for a homemade sunscreen that is chemical free and will leave your skin with that summer glow.

What You Need

1/4 Cup Diaper Rash Lotion

1 Tablespoon Coconut Oil

1 Tablespoon Cocoa Butter

1 Tablespoon Aloe Vera

1 Teaspoon Sesame Seed Oil

1 Teaspoon Beeswax

Once you have your ingredients, get a glass bowl and mix them together with a spoon. You then boil a pot of water and rest the bowl on top. The pot should be smaller than the bowl. The ingredients will gradually melt together. Stir thoroughly and allow to cool. Place the mixture in a dry place, such as a cabinet, or in the fridge.

Going with a natural blend is ideal. Diaper rash lotion's zinc oxide keeps skin from being chapped and irritated. Cocoa butter is a wonderful moisturizer, while coconut oil contains powerful anti-oxidants that fight damaging free radicals. Beeswax is a protectant and sesame seed oil has even been known to slow the growth of skin cancer. Aloe vera can reduce inflammation. Put it all together and keep your skin safe the natural way.

When we aim for healthy eating we often times read over the ingredient list. We're told the less ingredients the better and if we can't pronounce the ingredients then it's not as healthy. Michelle draws the same conclusion with our sunscreen choices. I'd love to hear from you if you give this DIY Sunscreen a try! 

Also if you're interested in reaching Michelle you can email her at MichellePino@turningstone.com 

Linking with Healthy Tuesday, Take Time Tuesday,


...happy to have Jordyn with me this month...