Ep. 15 - Happy Memorial Day: Learn How to Make or Buy the Safest Sunscreen

It’s Memorial Day and, for many, that means it’s the kickoff to summer: beach, pools, barbecues, and heaping helping of Vitamin D. In this episode, I discuss how to make your own homemade sunscreen and highlight brands that actually work, without all of the bad stuff. The problem with commercial sunscreens is that they often contains toxic ingredients and endocrine-disrupting chemicals that, in many cases, can actually promote skin cancer growth and free radical production in the body. In fact, in the years since sunscreen use began, skin cancer rates have actually increased. Homemade Sunscreen Many of the ingredients in this recipe have a natural SPF (sun protection factor). This is a natural recipe and has not been tested by a regulatory organization for exact SPF. For this reason, I can’t (and don’t) make any claims or even guesses as to the combined SPF. Ingredients: ½ cup almond or olive oil (can infuse with herbs first if desired) ¼ cup coconut oil (natural SPF 4) ¼ cup beeswax 2 Tablespoons Zinc Oxide (This is a non-nano version that won’t be absorbed into the skin. Be careful not to inhale the powder). Up to 1 teaspoon Red Raspberry Seed Oil – optional Up to 1 teaspoon Carrot Seed Oil – optional 2 tablespoons Shea Butter (natural SPF 4-5) - optional Optional: Essential Oils, Vanilla Extract or other natural extracts to suit your preference (Do not use citrus essential oils as they increase sun sensitivity) Instructions: Combine ingredients except zinc oxide in a pint sized or larger glass jar. I have a mason jar that I keep just for making lotions and lotion bars, or you can even reuse a glass jar from pickles, olives, or other foods. Fill a medium saucepan with a couple inches of water and place over medium heat. Put a lid on the jar loosely and place in the pan with the water. As the water heats, the ingredients in the jar will start to melt. Shake or stir occasionally to incorporate. When all ingredients are completely melted, add the zinc oxide, stir in well and pour into whatever jar or tin you will use for storage. Small mason jars (pint size) are great for this. It will not pump well in a lotion pump! Stir a few times as it cools to make sure zinc oxide is incorporated. Store at room temperature. Additional Notes: This...