Shea Butter for sunscreen

[westcoastmom]

I read somewhere that Shea Butter can be used for sunscreen.

Anyone know if this works?

[runes]

i've read something similar. i think it naturally has an spf of 10 or so, iirc.

i've never used it myself, though, but am curious if anyone else has.

[aprilibarra]

I love it

I used it a couple of times this summer and I didn't burn and I did tan nicely, which I don't usually do. I also didn't break out from the oil or like I do from sunscreen. It really suprised me.

[Taedareth]

If you use the very best, unrefined, fresh (less than 18 months from date of creation) shea butter, it has an SPF of about 6. This store sells the good stuff: https://shop.agbangakarite.com/splashPage.hg

[Hazelnut]

I want to buy some shea butter that I know is fresher since you linked this in another thread. However did you email this store owner? I couldn't find anywhere on the site mention of how fresh it is. Also, I just want a "normal" tub-sized amount. I guess I can't quite tell how that sample size is. I don't really want a big block of it. Or how do you store a big block?

[Taedareth]

I clicked the "contact us" link: https://shop.agbangakarite.com/contactUs.hg You can just ask the owner what date her current batch was made.

The 1 lb size is a fair-size jar and should last you a really long time.

[AngelBee]

: I never have heard this...

[Hazelnut]

Thanks. I just emailed her and ordered 1lb. anyway. Finally got around to reading the shea butter institute info and realized my lovely white stuff is probably very refined. oh well, it's a nice moisturizer. The stuff I got from wild oats appears to be completely raw- just don't know how old it is.

[Spastica]

Olive oil (10ish) and especially sesame oil (SPF 25-30ish) (unrefined/extra virgin) has a higher SPF. Coconut oil is lower at around SPF 4.

I would use natural oils if you were doing some light gardening or just doing errands. For water play, outdoor fun, picnics, etc, - I would personally stick to higher SPFs in manmade sunscreens. That's just me though.

[OrganicallyGrown]

from what I know, shea butter is an excellent addition to sunscreens but not good protection on its own.