The sun is a natural source of Vitamin D, but it can also damage our skin. Too much sun exposure can cause skin cancer, premature aging, and other skin problems. That’s why it’s important to use sunscreen when you’re going to be outside for an extended period. But not all sunscreens are created equal. Some contain harmful chemicals that can be harmful to our health.
This blog post will discuss 11 natural sunscreen alternatives that will protect your skin without the risk of toxic chemicals!
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Why Make Your Own Sunscreen?
If you want to protect your skin but don’t want all the chemicals that come with conventional sunscreens, natural and organic options are excellent choices. By following these natural sunscreen alternatives, natural DIY recipes for homemade sunscreen, or just simply using natural ingredients on your face and body as a natural way of protecting yourself from harmful UV rays, you can keep your skin healthy, natural, and beautiful.
Sunscreen is one of the most important beauty products that we all need to use every day. It not only protects our delicate skin from harmful UV rays but also helps prevent premature aging and sun damage. Unfortunately, many things about sunscreen make it difficult to choose the right one. For example, typical sunscreen contains many chemicals known to be toxic and harmful to the body.
These natural sunscreen alternatives will help you keep your skin looking its best without using harsh chemicals or other products that may not be natural or healthy for your skin. This list includes natural sunscreens, DIY recipes for homemade natural sunscreens, natural sunscreen alternatives for the face and body, and other natural ways to protect your skin from UV rays.
Is It Safe to Make Your Own Sunscreen?
While we are all for natural sunscreens and natural sunscreen alternatives, we have to say that homemade natural sunscreen can be dangerous. Homemade recipes often include lemon juice or other citrus juices, which increase the risk of a painful burn because they make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.
Also, if you’re using natural oils like coconut oil, natural sunscreens are not as effective as mineral sunscreen. Coconut oil has a natural SPF of about SPF-15, and natural oils like sweet almond oil or olive oil have an SPF between zero and low to mid-single digits.
So there you go: homemade natural sunscreen recipes can be dangerous! We strongly recommend natural mineral sunscreens (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide being the two most common ingredients), but natural sunscreen alternatives, like natural clothing or avoiding the sun during peak hours, are also great.
The Advantages of Homemade Sunscreen
There are many benefits of using natural sunscreen alternatives. The first and most obvious benefit is knowing exactly what is in the sunscreen. You never really know what you are putting on your skin with store-bought sunscreens. Many commercial sunscreens contain harsh chemicals like oxybenzone, which can harm your health.
Another benefit of natural sunscreen is typically much cheaper than store-bought sunscreens. You can easily make your natural sunscreen using coconut oil, zinc oxide, and beeswax ingredients.
Finally, natural sunscreens are better for the environment. Commercial sunscreens often contain harmful chemicals that pollute waterways and harm marine life.
When you need it, apply natural sunscreen
You don’t have to avoid the sun entirely, but it’s important to use natural sunscreen when needed. Many people think they can stay in the shade or wear a hat to protect themselves from the sun, but that’s not always the case. The sun’s UV rays can still reach you even if you’re under an umbrella or wearing a hat.
Also, natural sunscreen is better than chemical sunscreens because it doesn’t contain any toxic chemicals that could cause cancer or other health problems over time. The natural alternatives to traditional sunscreens are made from natural ingredients like shea butter and jojoba oil which don’t harm your skin! They’re also much more natural-looking than their chemical counterparts, so they look great when applied topically.
There are a few different types of natural sunscreen that you can use: physical blockers, mineral lotions, and natural oils. Physical blockers work by blocking out UVA and UVB rays from reaching your skin (like clothing does!), whereas mineral lotions absorb some of the light but allow others through (like window screens do!). Natural oils don’t block anything at all; they sit on top of your skin and protect it from any damage caused by direct sunlight.
18 safe and effective natural sunscreen alternatives:
1. Coconut Oil
One of the most popular non-toxic sunscreens is coconut oil. It contains a compound called lauric acid, which blocks the sun’s UVB rays.
2. Zinc Oxide
Zinc oxide is another natural sunscreen ingredient for its non-irritating and non-allergenic qualities. It also offers mineral sun protection, making it the safest choice for sensitive skin types.
3. Beeswax
Beeswax is also safe to use as a sunscreen ingredient because of its natural SPF properties. It’s best used with non-nano zinc oxide for extra sun protection.
4. Shea Butter
Shea butter is another great way to get the benefits of zinc oxide and Vitamins A, E, and F to protect the skin. It’s also great for use on very dry or cracked skin, as it locks moisture in and helps prevent peeling.
5. Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is particularly effective at blocking out UV rays due to its high concentration of fatty acids. Research suggests that jojoba oil possesses an SPF of 29-50, making it ideal for extra protection.
6. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is another great natural sunscreen ingredient because it helps moisturize the skin while offering all-natural sun protection without harsh chemicals or endocrine disruptors. Not only that, but aloe vera also has anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties on top of its skin-healing powers.
7. Green Tea
Green tea contains catechins that help protect the skin from sun damage while also reducing inflammation and balancing oil production. The antioxidant activity in green tea is thought to be 10 times higher than vitamin C and 25 times higher than vitamin E, making it a great natural sunscreen alternative.
8. Avocado
Avocados are another amazing fruit with sun-protective abilities thanks to their high beta-carotene, potassium, and folic acid concentration. Studies have also shown that avocados can help reduce redness in the skin, making them an ideal choice for people with sensitive skin.
9. Cranberry Seed Oil
Cranberry seed oil is a rich source of vitamin E and contains naturally occurring UV filters, helping to passively shield the skin from sun damage. It also provides anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce irritation caused by sun exposure.
10. Grapefruit Seed Extract
The grapefruit seed extract is naturally rich in vitamin C, making it an excellent choice for a sunscreen alternative. It also works well with other natural ingredients to boost its potency against sun damage.
11. Raspberry Seed Oil
Raspberry seed oil tends to be used more as a topical moisturizer than sunscreen, but it offers the same benefits as other non-toxic sunscreens. It’s high in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals which can help reduce inflammation while also protecting against free radical damage to the skin.
12. Carrot Seed Oil
Carrot seed oil is rich in vitamin E and phytosterols, which help to reduce inflammation and promote healthy skin growth. It’s also packed with carotenoids which act as natural sunscreens by blocking out the sun’s UV rays.
13. Tomato
Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, an antioxidant compound that helps protect against sun damage while promoting overall skin health at the same time.
14. Wheat Germ Oil
Wheat germ oil is another great natural sunscreen alternative thanks to its naturally occurring gamma-tocopherol, a form of vitamin E which has been proven so effective it’s being studied as a potential cancer treatment. It also works well in combination with other natural ingredients.
15. Prickly Pear Seed Oil
Prickly pear seed oil is packed with carotenoids like beta-carotene, ensuring strong sun protection against harmful UV rays. It also contains essential fatty acids, which help to moisturize the skin and reduce inflammation.
16. Cocoa Butter
Cocoa butter contains a high concentration of palmitic acid, a naturally occurring chemical that helps to absorb and reflect UV rays. It’s also been shown to help reduce the appearance of age spots and other skin discolorations caused by sun exposure.
17. Rose Hip Seed Oil
Thanks to its high fatty acid content, Rosehip seed oil is commonly used as a natural treatment for acne scars and other skin blemishes. It’s also packed with vitamins A and C, which help protect the skin from sun damage and reduce inflammation.
18. Vitamin E Oil
Vitamin E oil is a powerful antioxidant that can help protect the skin from sun damage by neutralizing UV radiation before it has the chance to cause free radical damage. It’s also thought to improve skin elasticity and reduce scarring caused by acne or surgery.
FAQ’s
Q: I have very sensitive skin. Is there a natural sunscreen alternative that would be good for me?
A: Yes, many of the natural sunscreens listed above are great for people with sensitive skin. However, it’s always best to test out a new product on a small patch of skin before using it all over your body.
Q: Are natural sunscreen alternatives as effective as commercial sunscreen?
A: Natural sunscreens can be just as effective at protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. However, they may not offer the same level of protection against UVA and UVB radiation, leading to burns caused by overexposure.
Q: Can natural sunscreen alternatives help prevent sunburn?
A: Yes, natural sunscreen alternatives can help prevent sunburn. However, they do not offer the same level of protection against UVA and UVB radiation which leads to burns caused by overexposure.
Q: Does natural sunscreen alternative protect your skin from harmful effects of the sun such as wrinkles or cancer?
A: Some natural sunscreen alternatives, like those containing Vitamin E oil or palmitic acid, have been shown to help protect the skin from harmful effects of the sun, such as wrinkles and cancer. However, more research is needed to confirm these claims.
Conclusion
So, if you’re looking for a sunscreen alternative this summer (or any time of year), check out some of the best natural sunscreens on the market. They offer broad-spectrum protection without all the harsh chemicals. And they come in a variety of formulations to suit every skin type. So go ahead and slather it on—your skin will thank you!
