|

DIY Natural Sunscreen Alternative

Updated on

♥ May contain affiliate links or sponsored content. Please see my privacy policy and affiliate disclosure.

Jump to Recipe

This DIY natural sunscreen alternative is perfect for people who want to enjoy the sun without toxic sunscreen or sunblock. Keep reading to discover exactly what it is and how to make it!

I love the sun. It is the ultimate healer and life-giver! The sun truly is the source of all life on earth. Every plant, animal, and human being needs sunlight to survive and thrive.

Many people rely on sunblock to prevent sunburns and skin cancer while spending time in the sun.

Unfortunately, sunblock does exactly what the name implies—it blocks the sun, which means it also blocks the sun’s healing benefits.

Chemical sunscreens are also filled with highly toxic ingredients, which is why I stopped using them a few years ago.

Most chemical sunscreens contain benzophenone, which is a dangerous free radical generator. The EWG has a great article highlighting the dangers of sunscreen ingredients.

But just because I believe in the sun’s healing power and choose not to use sunblock or sunscreen doesn’t mean I recklessly spend all day in the sun without protecting my skin.

I practice sun safety and am very mindful of my sun exposure. I also use my DIY natural sunscreen alternative (recipe below) whenever I’m going to be in the sun for a prolonged period of time.

DIY sunscreen alternative sitting on counter.

But before I share the recipe for my DIY natural sunscreen alternative, it’s important to discuss nourishment and a healthy diet for skin health.

Skin Health Starts on the Inside

Nourishing your body from the inside out is the most important thing you can do to protect your skin from the sun.

A healthy body will react differently to sun exposure than an unhealthy body. Sun exposure can actually cause harm to an unhealthy/toxic body.

Chemicals and PUFAs in and on the body, in combination with sun exposure, are a recipe for disaster.

It’s kind of like gasoline and a match. A match on its own isn’t dangerous. It can actually be used for good. You can use it to light a candle for light or to light a campfire for warmth.

But if you light the match near something soaked with gasoline, it can cause absolute devastation. But is that the match’s fault or the gasoline’s fault?

Many people believe in the power of sunscreen/sunblock and rely on it entirely for sunburn protection and skin cancer prevention.

In my opinion, sunscreen/sunblock gives people a false sense of security.

My primary concern is that it is less effective than we have been led to believe and may actually be harmful.

If you want to prevent sunburn and skin cancer while harnessing the healing benefits of the sun, you need to nourish your body from the inside out, be mindful of your sun exposure, and practice sun safety.

I recommend reading the posts below to learn more about the sun’s healing benefits, the potential dangers of sunscreen/sunblock, the PUFA/skin cancer connection, and mindful sun exposure.

Consuming a pro-metabolic diet can dramatically improve skin health. Pro-metabolic foods like beef liver, shellfish, potatoes, grass-fed butter, and orange juice are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can help to nourish and protect the skin.

Since I started eating pro-metabolically, my skin has never looked better. The age spots on my hands and the fine lines on my face have begun to diminish.

I also spend hours every day working in my garden (without sunscreen/sunblock in Southern California) and never burn. I tan easily, and my skin looks bronzed and glowy.

So, instead of relying on sunscreen or sunblock to protect our skin, it’s better to be mindful of the time spent in the sun and nourish our bodies from the inside out.

This is important to address because this DIY sunscreen alternative is not enough on its own. It works best when combined with healthy eating and mindful sun exposure.

How to Make DIY Natural Sunscreen Alternative

To make this DIY natural sunscreen alternative, you’ll need the following items.

Shea butter is rich in vitamins A and E, which enhance skin cell regeneration and promote blood circulation below the skin’s surface.

It’s incredibly moisturizing as well and is also easily absorbed by the skin.

Shea butter also contains cinnamic acid. This study concluded that cinnamic acid has essential characteristics that make it suitable as a sunscreen, such as its ability to absorb harmful UV rays and fight free radicals.

Shea butter has an SPF of 4-6.

Coconut oil also has a natural SPF of 4-6. Coconut oil is rich in antioxidants that can help protect the skin from the sun.

Person holding DIY natural sunscreen alternative.

Beeswax gives this DIY natural sunscreen alternative a solid consistency, which helps prevent it from melting and also makes it waterproof.

Vitamin E softens the skin and protects the skin cells from damage.

According to