Sunscreen

Wow I made my own sunscreen and it completely worked! Not to mention it was fun to feel like a little scientist and make something.  The process was quick and easy. 

Start by melting the shea butter in a sauce pan on low heat over the stove. As it begins to melt add the coconut oil. Remove from heat and mix in the zinc oxide with a hand mixer until smooth. Add the jojoba oil and mix again. Quickly place it in the refrigerator to cool. You’ll want the ingredients cooling at the same rate so that it’s smooth and not grainy. Although a grainy texture should not impact the efficacy. Once cooled, rewhip with your hand mixer for a fluffy texture. Add to your storage container.I filled a couple tubes with one batch. I bought a silicone 3oz travel container and then cut the top off an old sunscreen tube and then filled the old tube with the product and resealed the top by taping the top shut using clear packing tape. We’re nothing if not classy over here! It worked great! I did a lot of research and decided that silicone containers were the safest flexible option so I could squeeze it out of the tube like I am used too. Many plastic containers are full of chemicals that I would rather not have infiltrating my product. A glass jar would have also worked but I do like the silicone that is is safer to have being passed around the back yard.

Coconut Oil has an spf on its own of around 6-10, making it a good choice to mix with the zinc oxide.  If you decide to whip up your own recipe make sure that you have at least 1 part non-nano zinc oxide powder to four parts of an emulsifier.  Use high quality pharmaceutical grade non-nano zinc oxide powder.  This way you can be sure it is free of lead and other impurities.  I liked Better Shea Butter.  Non-Nano means that it won’t be absorbed in your blood stream.  It sits topically on your skin for sun protection.  Non-micronized would be UNSAFE! 

I used this recipe on my two 18 month olds.  We never had any problems with turning pink.  I never kept them out in direct sun all day long either, as a two year old need indoor breaks for rest and food.  Sure if you have just one you can scoop them up when they get cranky if you have to be out all day.  But with twins under two and a three year old being at the pool or on the soccer field for 8 hours wasn’t on our agenda.   However, on the occasional long day like a splash park we never had any issues either.  I would reapply if was a high UV index day.  I could see the slight white sheen that the topical zinc had.  I guess this isn’t the sexy look for moms but I liked seeing where it was applied.  And as my niece pointed out she feels safer when she can see where it is and how it’s applied.  I couldn’t believe she preferred the zinc to the spray.  We used it the entire summer exclusively and it worked well for us.  You can also add a little cocoa powder for a darker color.  But it can rub off like all tinted sunscreen can.  Of course always use caution when in the sun. 

I am not a doctor and am not providing medical advice.