The sun is the best friend of summer, heat, an unforgettable trip and a pleasant day. But it is the enemy of healthy, cancer-free skin. This is because the sun's rays emit two types of radiation, UVB and UVA, which cause burns, injuries and allergies, both on the face and body, which can progress to skin cancer.
For this reason, it is essential to protect yourself against the sun even on cloudy days. But what's the best way to do this? Most health authorities recommend using sunscreen. However, if you don't want to harm nature or your skin with components that can be toxic, it's better to make a homemade sunscreen. Find out how to prepare it with practical recipes!
homemade sunscreen recipes
Next, see what are the homemade sunscreen recipes that will protect you without chemical ingredients. Remember to consult a dermatologist before using them, to make sure you don't have allergies to the natural products in each one.
1) A sunscreen against insects
If you want to protect yourself from the sun and insects, the recipe we separate is perfect for you. Pay attention to the step by step!
Ingredients:
- ½ cup almond or avocado oil
- ¼ cup of coconut oil
- ¼ cup of beeswax
- 2 tablespoons of zinc oxide
- 2 tablespoons of jojoba oil
- 1 tablespoon of vitamin E oil
- 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel
- 20 drops of insect protection essential oil (eucalyptus, citronella or peppermint)
Preparation:
In a glass jar, mix all the ingredients, leaving out the zinc oxide and essential oil. Then, heat the mixture in a water bath until the wax and oils melt. As soon as this happens, remove the preparation from the heat, add the other ingredients and mix. When it cools down, it's ready to use.
2) A moisturizing sunscreen
To hydrate your skin while you are out in the sun, you can use a hydrating sunscreen recipe with the properties of aloe vera and coconut oil. Check out!
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup of coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons of zinc oxide powder
- ¼ cup pure aloe vera gel
- 1 cup of shea butter
Preparation:
In a water bath, melt all the mixed ingredients, except for the aloe vera gel and zinc oxide. After this process, wait to cool for a few minutes and only then add the gel. Wait a little longer for the preparation to cool completely and finish with the zinc oxide. Keep in the fridge when not using.
3) A sunscreen for oily skin
If your skin is oily, the recipes we present may be a problem. Fortunately, with a simple replacement you will be able to protect yourself without harming your skin. Look:
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup jojoba oil
- 2 tablespoons of zinc oxide powder
- ¼ cup pure aloe vera gel
- 1 cup of shea butter
Preparation:
As in the previous preparation, you must melt the ingredients in a water bath, leaving out the aloe vera gel and zinc oxide. When the preparation has cooled a little, add the gel, and when it cools further, add the zinc oxide. When not using, keep in the fridge.
Why can conventional sunscreen be harmful?
First of all, sunscreen is not a villain. When applied correctly and without the addition of suntan lotion, this product is a fundamental protection against the sun's rays and should never be discarded.
However, conventional sunscreens, which are produced with chemical filters, can pose risks to a person's health. In 2020, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began to analyze this product more closely and identified toxic components in it, such as oxybenzone, homosalate, ensulizole, octinoxate and 4-methylbenzylidene-camphor.
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First and foremost, oxybenzone offers sun protection, but it also penetrates deeper layers of an individual's skin. As a consequence of this, the product can cause hormonal changes and alter cells. In addition to these factors, this substance is known to harm sea corals, being banned in France.
Homosalate, on the other hand, poses no risk to nature. However, it is absorbed by the body and causes changes in estrogen and progesterone levels. Thirdly, ensulizole is a substance that offers a medium risk for the development of cancer by causing changes in cell structures.
Similar to other compounds, octinoxate can trigger allergies and hormonal disorders, including in the thyroid gland. Finally, 4-methylbenzylidene-camphor has already been linked to problems in the endocrine system of those who come in contact with this ingredient.
That is, there are chemical compounds that protect us against the sun's rays, but also have harmful effects on our health. So what should we do? Is there a sunscreen without these side effects? Keep reading!
Is it possible to buy protectors that do not affect health?
If you don't want to make a homemade sunscreen and don't want to buy conventional sunscreens either, it's still possible to protect yourself from the sun without danger. First of all, you should consult a dermatologist to identify what your skin type is and what protection is best for it.
Once you get professional help, you can look for sunscreens that are made with mineral filters, not chemical filters. Some of the brands that sell this type of product in España are: Bioderma, ADCOS, Biossance and SkinCeuticals. Although prices vary according to each store, they are on an average of 100 to 150 reais.
Through the content presented, we understand that conventional sunscreens can harm a person's health, even if they protect against the Sun. To avoid these harms, it is possible to bet on a homemade sunscreen or on brands that make the product with less chemicals. Keep taking care of your skin!
