Homemade sunscreen offer a natural and customizable approach to sun protection, utilizing simple and readily available ingredients. In this article, we will explore the recipes of homemade sunscreen and provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to make your own homemade sunscreen for face. By taking matters into your own hands, you can enjoy the sun while ensuring the well-being of both your skin and the environment.
What is Sunscreen?
Sunscreen is a topical product designed to protect the skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. It is typically available in the form of lotions, creams, gels, sprays, sticks, or powders. Sunscreen works by absorbing, reflecting, or scattering the sun’s UV rays to prevent them from penetrating the skin.
The two primary types of UV rays that sunscreen helps protect against are UVA and UVB rays:
- UVA rays: These rays can penetrate deep into the skin and contribute to premature skin aging, wrinkles, and some types of skin cancer. UVA rays are present throughout the day, even on cloudy days and can penetrate through glass.
- UVB rays: These rays primarily affect the outer layer of the skin and are the main cause of sunburns. UVB rays are most intense during midday and can vary in intensity depending on the season and geographical location.
Sunscreen contains active ingredients that provide protection against UV rays. These ingredients can be chemical or physical:
- Chemical sunscreen: These sunscreens contain organic compounds that absorb UV radiation and convert it into heat, which is then released from the skin. Common chemical sunscreen ingredients include oxybenzone, avobenzone, octinoxate, and octisalate.
- Physical or mineral sunscreen: These sunscreens contain inorganic minerals, such as titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, which act as a physical barrier to reflect and scatter UV rays away from the skin.
Important Guidelines to Follow While Applying Sunscreen
- Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays.
- Select a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. SPF indicates the level of protection against UVB rays.
- Apply sunscreen generously and evenly to all exposed skin at least 15-30 minutes before sun exposure.
- Reapply sunscreen every two hours or more frequently if sweating or swimming.
- Use sunscreen even on cloudy days since UV rays can still penetrate the clouds.
Remember: It’s worth noting that no sunscreen can provide 100% protection against UV radiation. Sunscreen is an essential part of a comprehensive sun protection strategy, along with seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, and using sunglasses. It helps reduce the risk of sunburn, skin damage, and skin cancer caused by excessive sun exposure.
What Makes Sunscreen Effective?
Several factors contribute to the effectiveness of sunscreen in protecting the skin from the harmful effects of UV radiation:
- Sun Protection Factor (SPF): The Sun Protection Factor, or SPF, is a measure of a sunscreen’s ability to protect against UVB rays, which are the primary cause of sunburns. The higher the SPF, the greater the protection. An SPF of 30 or higher is generally recommended for adequate protection. However, it’s important to note that SPF does not indicate the level of protection against UVA rays.
- Broad-Spectrum Protection: Effective sunscreens provide broad-spectrum protection, meaning they protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Look for sunscreens that specifically mention “broad-spectrum” on the label to ensure protection against both types of UV radiation.
- Active Ingredients: Sunscreens contain active ingredients that provide the UV protection. Chemical sunscreens typically contain organic compounds that absorb UV rays and convert them into heat. Physical or mineral sunscreens contain inorganic minerals like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which create a physical barrier to reflect and scatter UV rays.
- Proper Application: Applying sunscreen properly is essential for its effectiveness. It should be applied generously and evenly to all exposed areas of the skin. Most recommendations suggest using about one ounce (30 milliliters) of sunscreen to cover the entire body. It’s crucial to apply sunscreen at least 15-30 minutes before sun exposure to allow the product to bind to the skin.
- Reapplication: Sunscreen effectiveness diminishes over time, especially with exposure to water, sweat, or rubbing. Therefore, it’s important to reapply sunscreen every two hours or more frequently if sweating or swimming. Even water-resistant or waterproof sunscreens should be reapplied according to the instructions on the product.
- Personal Factors: The effectiveness of sunscreen can also depend on individual factors such as skin type, sun sensitivity, and sun exposure duration. People with fair skin or a history of skin cancer may need to take extra precautions and use higher SPF levels.
Best Homemade Sunscreen Recipe for Face
I understand you’re interested in DIY sunscreen recipes, but it’s important to note that making your own sunscreen can be risky and potentially ineffective. Commercial sunscreens undergo demanding testing to ensure their safety and effectiveness. DIY sunscreens may not have the same level of efficacy or may lack broad-spectrum protection.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 1/4 cup Shea butter
- 1/4 cup beeswax pellets
- 2 tablespoons zinc oxide powder (non-nano and uncoated)
- Optional: a few drops of essential oil for fragrance (e.g., lavender, chamomile)
Instructions:
- In a heat-safe bowl, combine coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax pellets.
- Place the bowl in a double boiler or a pot of simmering water. Heat gently until the ingredients melt and combine. Stir occasionally to ensure even melting.
- Once the mixture is fully melted and combined, remove it from heat and let it cool slightly.
- Carefully add the zinc oxide powder to the mixture. Use a mask or cover your nose and mouth with a cloth to avoid inhaling the fine particles. Stir well to ensure the zinc oxide is evenly distributed.
- If desired, add a few drops of essential oil for fragrance and mix well.
- Transfer the mixture into a clean, airtight container. Allow it to cool completely and solidify before use.
Important points to be considered:
- Zinc oxide is the active ingredient in this recipe, providing some sun protection. However, its effectiveness may vary, and it’s challenging to determine the precise level of SPF without specialized equipment.
- Zinc oxide can settle at the bottom, so it’s crucial to mix well before each use to ensure even distribution.
- This homemade sunscreen should be reapplied frequently, especially after swimming, sweating, or prolonged sun exposure.
- Conduct a patch test on a small area of skin before using the homemade sunscreen to check for any adverse reactions or sensitivities.
- Keep in mind that this recipe does not provide broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays.
Note: If you have dry skin and prefer to make a homemade sunscreen for dry skin, 1 tablespoon almond oil or jojoba oil can be added in the same above recipe.
Homemade Sunscreen Spray
Creating a homemade sunscreen spray can be more challenging than making a lotion or cream due to the need for specific ingredients and equipment. Here’s a basic recipe for a homemade sunscreen spray for face:
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup aloe vera gel
- 1/4 cup distilled water or rose water
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon non-nano zinc oxide powder
- Optional: a few drops of essential oil for fragrance (e.g., lavender, chamomile)
Equipment:
- Spray bottle
Instructions:
- In a bowl, combine aloe vera gel, distilled water or rose water, and coconut oil. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly blended.
- Carefully add the non-nano zinc oxide powder to the mixture. Use a mask or cover your nose and mouth with a cloth to avoid inhaling the fine particles. Stir well to ensure the zinc oxide is evenly distributed.
- If desired, add a few drops of essential oil for fragrance and mix well.
- Using a funnel, pour the mixture into a clean spray bottle.
- Shake the bottle vigorously before each use to ensure proper mixing.
When using the DIY sunscreen spray:
- Shake the bottle well to ensure all ingredients are mixed before application.
- Spray the sunscreen onto exposed skin, making sure to cover all desired areas.
- Rub the sunscreen into the skin gently to ensure even distribution.
- Reapply the sunscreen spray every two hours or more frequently if sweating, swimming, or experiencing excessive dryness.
- Patch test the homemade sunscreen on a small area of skin before widespread use to check for any adverse reactions or sensitivities.
Why Homemade Sunscreen is not as Effective as Commercial Sunscreen
While it’s possible to find DIY sunscreen recipes online, it’s important to note that making homemade natural sunscreen for sensitive skin can be risky and potentially ineffective. Here are a few reasons why making homemade sunscreen cream for face can be problematic:
- Inaccurate SPF: It’s difficult to accurately determine the sun protection factor (SPF) of a homemade sunscreen. Without proper testing equipment and knowledge, it’s challenging to gauge the level of protection the homemade sunscreen provides.
- Inadequate Broad-Spectrum Protection: Achieving broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays requires specific ingredients and formulations. DIY sunscreens may lack the necessary ingredients to offer effective broad-spectrum protection.
- Uneven Mixing: Proper formulation and distribution of sunscreen ingredients are critical for even protection. In a DIY setting, it’s challenging to ensure a consistent and uniform distribution of ingredients, which may result in uneven protection.
- Lack of Stability: Commercial sunscreens undergo stability testing to ensure their effectiveness over time. DIY sunscreens may not have the same level of stability, and the ingredients may degrade, reducing their efficacy.
- Health and Safety Concerns: Making your own natural sunscreen for face at home may introduce potential health risks if the ingredients used are not safe or cause adverse reactions in individuals. Additionally, natural homemade sunscreen for face may not provide sufficient protection, leading to an increased risk of sunburns, skin damage, or skin cancer.
Given these concerns, it’s generally recommended to use commercially available sunscreens that have been tested and approved by regulatory authorities. Look for broad-spectrum sunscreens with an appropriate SPF level for your needs and apply them according to the instructions provided.
If you have specific concerns about the ingredients in commercial sunscreens, consult a dermatologist who can recommend suitable options or provide guidance based on your unique circumstances.