Natural Sunscreen & Bug Spray

The sun is out and the bugs are biting! Make sure you protect yourself!!

Typically there are 15 different chemicals in the common sunscreen.  These chemical substances do not just lie on the surface of your skin; they soak into it and quickly get absorbed into the blood stream then dispersed though out the body.  If the body cannot detoxify the chemicals, they tend to disrupt the endocrine system.  This disruption could lead to hormonal problems such as early puberty, estrogen dominance, cancers, etc. While these chemicals do block the harmful UV rays, they can also cause a lot of hormonal blockages as well.  

The a good natural sunscreen is by Kiss my Face.  It is water resistance with an SPF of 30.  However, it still contains some of the chemicals that are in other sunscreens but in lower amounts.

Homemade sunscreens

Recipe 1

• Get a bottle of your favorite lotion (that doesn't contain citrus oils!)

• Add a couple Tablespoons of non-nano  Zinc Oxide

• Mix well

• Use as Sunscreen

Recipe 2

• 1/2 cup almond or olive oil (can infuse with herbs first if desired)

• 1/4 cup coconut oil (natural SPF 40

• 1/4 cup beeswax

• 2 Tablespoons Zinc Oxide (This is a non-nano version that won’t be absorbed into the skin. Be careful not to inhale the powder). This makes a natural SPF of 20+ or more can be added.)

• Optional: up to 1 teaspoon Red Raspberry Seed Oil

• Optional: up to 1 teaspoon Carrot Seed Oil

• Optional: up to 1 teaspoon Vitamin E oil

• Optional: 2 tablespoons Shea Butter (natural SPF 4-5)

• Optional: Essential Oils, Vanilla Extract or other natural extracts to suit your preference

How to Make Natural Sunscreen

1. Combine ingredients except zinc oxide in a pint sized or larger glass jar. I have a mason jar that I keep just for making lotions and lotion bars, or you can even reuse a glass jar from pickles, olives, or other foods.

2. Fill a medium saucepan with a couple inches of water and place over medium heat.

3. Put a lid on the jar loosely and place in the pan with the water.

4. As the water heats, the ingredients in the jar will start to melt. Shake or stir occasionally to incorporate. When all ingredients are completely melted, add the zinc oxide, stir in well and pour into whatever jar or tin you will use for storage. Small mason jars (pint size) are great for this. It will not pump well in a lotion pump!

5. Stir a few times as it cools to make sure zinc oxide is incorporated.

6. Use as you would regular sunscreen. Best if used within six months.

**Special note, due it is SPF abilities, this will still cause a decrease in your natural sunlight vitamin D absorption.  Make sure you check with Gail or myself about your vitamin D needs in the summer**

Recipe via: http://wellnessmama.com/2558/homemade-sunscreen/

Now on to Bug Spray, the most caustic ingredient is DEET. The Environmental Working Group states at DEET can cause severe neurotoxicity impairments such as seizures, tremors, slurred speech, and irritates the eyes.  It also greatly impacts the wildlife and your local water resources.  

A natural DEET free (as well as other chemicals) substitutes for insect repellent is Buzz Away.  We have a wider variety of their products at our store.  Please mention this blog and receive 5% off on all Buzz Away products.  I personally love their smell.  Another substitution is soaking a paper towel with the basic Listerine mouthwash and placing the towel at the nap of your neck.   Finally, here are some homemade recipes.   

Homemade Bug Spray

Recipe 1

• Essential oils: choose from Citronella, Clove, Lemongrass, Rosemary, Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, Cedar, Catnip, Lavender, Mint

• Natural Witch Hazel

• Distilled or boiled Water

• Vegetable glycerin (optional)

Directions

1. Fill spray bottle (I used 8 ounce) 1/2 full with distilled or boiled water

2. Add witch hazel to fill almost to the top

3. Add 1/2 tsp vegetable glycerin if using

4. Add 30-50 drops of essential oils to desired scent. The more oils you use, the stronger the spray will be. Feel free to get creative.  I really like Rosemary, Clove, Lavender, and Eucalyptus! (I also use this recipe on my horse and he is very happy)

This recipe is very strong and personally, I have not used it.  However my research tells me it works great!

Vinegar of the Four Thieves (ancient legend) Insect Repellent Ingredients:

• 1 32 ounce bottle of Apple Cider Vinegar

• 2 TBSP each of dried Sage, Rosemary, Lavender, Thyme and Mint

• At least quart size glass jar with airtight lid

Directions

1. Put the vinegar and dried herbs into large glass jar.

2. Seal tightly and store on counter or place you will see it daily. Shake well each day for 2-3 weeks.

3. After 2-3 weeks, strain the herbs out and store in spray bottles or tincture bottles, preferably in fridge.

4. To use on skin, dilute to half with water in a spray bottle and use as needed.

5. Use whenever you need serious bug control!

Recipe via: http://wellnessmama.com/2558/homemade-sunscreen/

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions!  We do sell most if not all of the ingredients at our store.  If you cannot find something please call 610.589.5027 and we will order anything you need.  Also, I would love to hear if you have tried any of these or others!

Thanks and Be well,

Elizabeth