Is Your Sunscreen Poisoning You?

Florida is not called "The Sunshine State" for no reason... we are blessed with more sunny days than not! While a daily dose of sunshine is good for your body due to the vitamin D you receive, allowing your skin to soak up too many rays without protection can lead to a nasty, painful sunburn! And if avoiding painful burns weren't enough motivation to slather on the sunscreen, we've all heard plenty about the long-term dangers of excessive exposure to the sun's UV rays. But before you reach for that over-the-counter tube of SPF50 at the drug store, have you ever thought about what all those hard-to-pronounce chemicals might be doing to your body? Or worse—to your kids' bodies? Why not go natural instead? Here is a simple, all-natural, and easy sunscreen you can whip up in no time. Many thanks to Wellness Mama for sharing this awesome sunscreen!

Natural Homemade Sunscreen Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup almond or olive oil
• 1/4 cup coconut oil (natural SPF 4)
• 1/4 cup beeswax
• 2 Tablespoons Zinc Oxide powder (You can find this at your local pharmacy or online. Make sure to get 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: 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

Directions:

1. Combine ingredients except zinc oxide in a pint-sized or larger glass jar.
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.
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.

Doesn't that sound great? It's also good to know that you're not coating your body with unhealthy chemicals. Not convinced your sunscreen is full of chemicals? Hmm...perhaps you should read this from Dr. Oz! Living green is the way to go! Have a healthy and happy summer!