Hey loves,

If you love being out in the sun but are becoming increasingly weary of the harmful ingredients in conventional sunscreen then read on, I’ve got you covered here with the most simple mix imaginable.. and it works too!

Relationship with the Sun

This is going to be a short and sweet post and was inspired by my dearest love: Mick Hanshaw.

You see we are currently in Koh Phangnan, Thailand where the sun literally takes no prisoners. What’s more is that my mister and I are from completely different cultures. Him being from Liverpool and me from California, means that we have different relationships with the almighty sun.

When the sun is blazing you can find me chilling in the shade while my old man likes to sit and bask (bake), soaking up as much rays as possible to get the nicest tan he can.

This means that, at least when he is in the sun, he is in dire need of some sort of protection.

Beware Conventional Sunscreen

The customary thing to do in a situation that calls for serious sun- bathing is to pick up some sunscreen. However, the problem with this method is… surprise surprise… the horrendous ingredients in most of the commercial sunscreen products.

Oh yes most sunscreens are filled with rank toxic chemicals as well as endocrine disrupting ingredients that are super harmful to our precious skin.

It’s the same (crap) that is in countless other commercial products and though it’s making someone(s) somewhere a pretty penny, it’s not the best for our skin.

Especially considering the fact that in the United States alone nearly 2 million people are diagnosed with skin cancer per year and the number has risen since the introduction of sunscreen… shouldn’t it be the other way around?

List of Toxic Ingredients to Beware of (No- No’s)

• Para amino benzoic acid
• Parabens
• Octyl salicyclate
• Octocrylene
• Oxybenzone
• Cinoxate
• Homosalate
• Dioxybenzone
• Phenylbenzimidazole
• Menthyl anthranilate
• Methoxycinnamate

If you want some more detailed info on the dangers of traditional sunscreen then you have to check out Dr. Axe’s brilliant summation here.

The Bottom Line

The bottom line is that unless you are buying an all-natural product free from the no-no’s, you are doing yourself a serious disservice!

More and more health professionals are reminding the world that we hardly need “protection” from the sun when it is vital for human beings.

The sun is our source of vitamin D3 and like a plant we’d die without it!

BUT you are probably thinking the same thing that my chico might at this point: but I will burn without sunscreen!

Before I get into how to prevent burning by using an all natural homemade sunscreen, I want you to remember this: we have all the tools necessary to live a healthy life, especially if we are mindful of what we put into and on our bodies.

It’s that simple.

Sunshine Tips

• Get 20 minutes of direct sunlight per day
• Eat food high in anti-oxidants to aid in protecting your skin
• Use an all natural sunscreen when necessary
• Use a natural after sun: coconut oil, aloe vera, vitamin E

Simple All Natural Homemade Sunscreen

Now you already know that I am not one to bask in the sun, but any time that I am out for a lengthy period of time I make sure to use this mix over my entire body.

1. Coconut oil SPF 4-6
2. Shea Butter SPF 5-6

I told you it was short and sweet!

These two miracle ingredients do an incredible job at protecting me when I need them most and never once have I burned when using the pair as a sunscreen.

I either melt down the shea butter and coconut oil together and let them become one or take some coconut oil in one hand and some shea butter in the other, rub my hands together and apply all over my body. Simple.

When it comes to my chico, however, (English blood) we bump up the voltage with a bit of Vitamin E oil to allay his fears of burning.

Alternative Mix

There are tons of natural ingredients that you can mix to make your own sunscreen. In my research I have found that a combination of the ingredients below are very popular for those wanting a DIY recipe:

1. Shea Butter SPF 5-6
2. Coconut Oil SPF 5-6
3. Carrot Oil SPF 28-40
4. Zinc Oxide SPF 2-20 depending on amount used

Melt the top two, allow time for cooling then measure the zinc oxide that you would like and add it to the mix. You can dilute the carrot oil and add this as well. Keep your mixture refrigerated and it can be kept for up to 6 months! The beauty of DIY!

Ready Made Natural Sunscreens

As always, if DIY is not your thing and you are planning to be in the sun for an extended period of time, there are ready-made options for you.

Both Amazon and eBay house plenty of sunscreens whose ingredients are safe for human use and I am sure that many local health stores will carry the same.

Just be sure to take a photo, screenshot, or write down the list of no-no’s to be sure that you are purchasing the right product for your skin.

Below are three top brands- one for face, another for body, and the last for young ones! (Please do not coat your little ones in toxic sunscreen!)

1. Badger Damascus Rose SPF 25 Sheer Tint Face Sunscreen Lotion

2. DeVita Solar Body Moisturizer SPF 30+

3. All Good Sunscreen Butter SPF 50+

There you have it conscious people, my favorite and super simple all natural homemade sunscreen with some alternative options thrown in. Be good to yourself!

Questions/Comments

I know that you have them and I am ready to read them! Tell me what you think about this info. Was it accurate? Did you find it helpful? Have some questions about any of the DIY mixes? Make sure to leave them below and tell me what you want to see next!

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• Be good to your body!
• Love ya’s!