tried making your own sunblock???

[dove]

In the effort to minimize the amount of chemicals I put on ds, I keep thinking that it wouldn't be too hard to make sunblock from zinc oxide and say, aloe vera gel??? Might I be on the right track? Anyone done it? "Recipes" to share? Sources for the zinc oxide? I can't find it in stores in any way but as an ointment with a bunch of yucky chemicals in it. Thanks for sharing any and all knowledge!

[Persephone]

To make a complete sunblock, there is zinc oxide power you can buy from places that sell ingredients for homemade cosmetics. I found one googling: http://www.wellnaturally.ca/ingredients/zincox.html

Also, if you go to a place like GNC, you can find PABA as a supplement in capsules. Add that to a lotion, and it will give it an approximate SPF of 15. Sometimes people are allergic to it though.

And finally, St John's Wort infused oil is known as a kind of sunscreen. It's not like you can apply it to pasty white skin and go out for hours expecting to not be touched by the sun. But if you use it on a regular basis, it can help protect your skin from getting burned. I have resources, which I can't look up riight now, but I'll come back and post about it.

[Persephone]

As for St John's Wort, here's the first discussion. Pay special attention to the posts by LadyB. I just love that woman!

http://www.susunweed.com/weedforum/v...screen&start=0

And one month later...: http://www.susunweed.com/weedforum/viewtopic.php?t=904

And also, the original source: http://www.susunweed.com/weedforum/v...ight=sunscreen

[dove]

thank you for all of the great info, Persephone!!!
I looove the susun weed site! I didn't even think to look there...

thanks again!

[PikkuMyy]

I just buy chemical-free kid's sunblock at the health food store. Much easier. but if you feel like making your own, go for it. However, how will you know whether you've put enough of the minerals in?

[DevaMajka]

http://www.lesstoxicguide.ca/index.a...personal#sunpr

Info on safer sunscreen. It says that cocoa butter and sesame oil help block some UV rays.

[dove]

Originally Posted by PikkuMyy

I just buy chemical-free kid's sunblock at the health food store. Much easier. but if you feel like making your own, go for it. However, how will you know whether you've put enough of the minerals in?

that's why I'm asking!
what brand of sunblock do you use? What do you consider "chemical-free?"...
I've been doing a lot of research - can't seem to find one that I consider chemical free except one made by a co. that charges an arm and a leg for their product!

[dove]

Originally Posted by Deva33mommy

http://www.lesstoxicguide.ca/index.a...personal#sunpr

Info on safer sunscreen. It says that cocoa butter and sesame oil help block some UV rays.

thanks for your input. Have you seen the skindeep website? MUCH more detailed info...

[treemom2]

I have a recipe for sunscreen from Earthly Bodies & Heavenly Hair that is a basic cream recipe with additions of paba and using sesame oil for the oil in the cream. I really like this book so far, but I haven't made the sunscreen yet--was actually coming online to ask about the paba .

Here's a link to the book if interested:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/188...Fencoding=UTF8

[Delight]

Originally Posted by dove

what brand of sunblock do you use? What do you consider "chemical-free?"...
I've been doing a lot of research - can't seem to find one that I consider chemical free except one made by a co. that charges an arm and a leg for their product!

The only one I will use is the Aubrey Green Tea sunscreen. It's the most natural one I could find. I would love to just not use it at all...and just stay out of the sun and use protective clothing, but that's not always an option.

[snailmama]

I think Dr Haushka is chemical free...
It's worth the $...
use it sparingly...it'll last

[dove]

thanks delight and snailmama - I would love to make my own, but after researching quite a bit, I think I will try aubrey (particularly the green tea one - seems just as good as if I would have made it myself - nothing in it I wouldn't put in there) and i will look into dr hauschka (sp?)...
and, of course. stay outof the dun during peak hours, protective clothing, nutritional stuff, yada yada...
thanks all!

[scatterbrainedmom]

from better basics for the home

Better Basic Sunblock Formula
(if you want a thiner cream, add less beeswax; for a stiffer cream add more. Aloe vera gel and herbal tinctures can be used as part of the water measurement)

2.5 oz sesame oil
1.5 oz coconut oil or cocoa butter
0.5 oz beeswax
4 oz water or strong green tea made with distilled water
2 tbsp zinc oxide
natural preservatives (1 tbsp wheat germ oil, 1 tsp vitamin c powder equalling 1 gram, and 200 i.u. vitamin A)
10-20 drops antiseptic essential oil (optional)

Melt the oils and beeswax in a double boiler over medium heat. Remove from the heat, add the water, and mix with an electric mixer until thick and creamy. Add the zinc oxide and preservatives, followed by the essential oil (if used). Blend

Makes 1 cup
Shelf life is 6 months with water, about 2 weeks with green tea

Variation
PAPA Sunscreen: To make sunscreen instead of sunblock, use the same recipe, but instead of zinc oxide, subsitute 1 tsp PABA. The cream will have an SPF around 15. To be really safe use zinc oxide and PABA.

[dove]

thanks so much for a recipe!!!!!

[scatterbrainedmom]

your welcome

[tinuviel_k]

Thanks! I am going to try that recipe as soon as I run out of my sunscreen.