There is a lot of buzz around homemade sunscreen. Whether you love or loathe the idea, many conventional sunscreens contain synthetic ingredients that don’t align with Kolya’s plant-based or environmentally sustainable values. Claims against do-it-yourself sunscreens are not without ground: sunscreen formulation is extremely complicated, and there is no way to secure an accurate SPF rating without extensive testing and expensive certifications. Even then, it is difficult to ascertain whether or not your sunscreen is broad-spectrum, meaning it guards against both UVA and UVB radiation. Bearing the wealth of information available to us, we choose alternatives, including reef-safe mineral sunscreens, education, and a healthy respect towards our bodies and sun exposure.

See our entry on How To Be In The Sun Naturally: Demystifying SPF

July’s Blending Bar is our DIY Whipped Sun Nourishment. This recipe is for those who wish to avoid chemical sunscreens, embrace a natural relationship with the summer rays, and moisturize the skin with an array of plant-based oils and organic botanicals.

Shea butter is whipped up with vitamin E and Sun Oil until thick, rich, and fluffy. Earth’s Aromatique Sun Oil is our in-house blend consisting of four skin-loving, medium-viscosity plant oils. Rice bran, sesame seed, cherry kernel, and red raspberry seed oils are all beneficial to the skin through their antioxidative and emollient capacity. To this mixture, we add zinc oxide for its sun-reflective qualities, and therapeutic peppermint and lavender essential oils for a beautiful summery aroma. Feel free to leave out the essential oils, or swap out for a different skin-safe blend.

This blend is meant to complement an already self-aware sun protection regime, and not as a complete replacement for conventional lab-tested broad-spectrum SPF sunscreen. Used under mild sun exposure, preferably in the mornings or evenings, this blend is a beautiful and healthy way to get your daily rays in without the potential risks posed by some conventional chemical sunscreens. In the event of prolonged or high-noon sun exposure, be certain to don your wide-brimmed hat and long-sleeved shirt, or seek shade until later in the day. Consider one of our many reef-safe mineral sunscreens. If you’re sweating or playing in the water, be sure to apply a certified broad-spectrum certified sunscreen and re-apply often.

See our recipe for DIY Whipped Sun Nourishment here:

DIY Sun Nourishment

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Servings

Prep Time

60 mL Glass Jar

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp Shea Butter to hydrate
• 1 tbsp Earth's Aromatique Sun Oil to hydrate and heal
• 1/4 tsp Vitamin E Oil a potent antioxidant
• 1 tbsp Zinc Oxide to reflect the sun
• 8 drops Peppermint Essential Oil cooling on the skin
• 4 drops True Lavender Essential Oil to regenerate the skin (anti-inflammatory)

DIY Sun Nourishment Votes: 1 Rating: 5 You: Rate this recipe! Add to Shopping List This recipe is in your Shopping List Print Recipe Print Shopping List Servings Prep Time 60 mL Glass Jar Ingredients 2 tbsp Shea Butter to hydrate 1 tbsp Earth's Aromatique Sun Oil to hydrate and heal 1/4 tsp Vitamin E Oil a potent antioxidant 1 tbsp Zinc Oxide to reflect the sun 8 drops Peppermint Essential Oil cooling on the skin 4 drops True Lavender Essential Oil to regenerate the skin (anti-inflammatory)

Instructions

1. With a spatula, add the shea butter to a medium mixing bowl and whip until it become pliable and smooth.
2. Add the Sun Oil and and vitamin E and continue to whip until fluffy. Then add the zinc oxide and mix well, it will begin to thicken.
3. Finally, add the essential oils and continue to mix until well blended.
4. Pour into the glass jar, label, and enjoy.

Recipe Notes

This DIY Sun Nourishment is best applied by massaging into the skin and on any skin that will be exposed to the elements. It is great on the face and body, hydrating the skin as the zinc oxide helps to reflect the sun. This mineral sun-aid must be applied frequently if spending the day outdoors.

Please note, there is NO SPF rating on this product. 

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KolyaNaturals.com

Please note, this Whipped Sun Nourishment is intended as a moisturizing herbal balm with some sun-reflective qualities, and not a replacement for certified SPF broad-spectrum sunscreen.

In North America, the summer is short and sweet. Get outside for your dose of vitamin D, stay sun-safe, get active, and have fun!

References:

Modern Cosmetics: Ingredients of Natural Origin. A Scientific View, Vol. 1. Damjan Janeš and Nina Kočevar Glavač, et. al. Širimo Dobro Besedo, d.o.o. 2018