All-Natural Gentle Sunscreen Salve

This sunscreen is kind of unbelievable.  Almost.

See, I’ve never used any sunscreen on my kids.  Really, they don’t need it — we don’t stay outside too long most of the time, and they don’t really burn.  One or two of them has gotten a little pink once or twice, but no one’s ever had a “real” sunburn.

Still, it’s nice to know there are options for days when we’re at the beach (there’s a lake beach quite near us) or are otherwise outside for several hours.  We wouldn’t use it immediately, but after an hour or so of soaking up the sun (and the resulting vitamin D).

I’m not really comfortable with the physical blockers, like titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.  I know they are common in “natural” sunscreens and probably fine, but I just do not want to rub that on my children’s skin.  I don’t know, I worry.  Maybe that’s crazy.

But!  There is another solution.  I finally found a way that I am comfortable with that will protect their skin and which is totally natural.  You could literally eat this sunscreen (although I wouldn’t recommend it).  It’s also crazy simple to make.  A bunch of my friends and I got together and made it one night in April, so now we each have a small supply to use in the summer.

**Don’t want to make it yourself?  Grab some in our store!**

Sunscreen Salve

So what makes this sunscreen so awesome and so safe?

There are no physical or harsh chemical barriers used in this sunscreen.  In fact, it’s really a salve — a combination of natural, plant-based oils and beeswax.  These oils are known for having a natural SPF.  That’s why I chose them.

Coconut and olive oil both have an SPF of about 8.  They form the base of the salve.  Then, there is raspberry seed oil as a special ingredient.  It is estimated that raspberry seed oil has an SPF of 25 – 50.  That gives the finished salve an SPF of about 10 – 15.  (Most higher SPFs aren’t that helpful anyway.)  You could reduce the olive oil by 1 tbsp. and use extra raspberry seed oil.  In that case, the finished salve would be 12 – 19 SPF.  Raspberry seed oil is crazy expensive, though.  (You can buy a 4-oz. bottle for about $20 right here. That’s $2.25 – $5.50 just for this ingredient in the recipe below.)

These oils will be absorbed by skin — much like commercial sunscreens — but are fully safe.  As I mentioned, you could eat it without worry (although it wouldn’t taste good!).

Ingredients:

• 3 tbsp. olive oil
• 3 tbsp. coconut oil
• 1 tbsp. raspberry seed oil
• 1 tbsp. beeswax

Directions:

Step 1: Combine all the oils in a small saucepan over very low heat.  Let them melt completely (only the coconut oil isn’t liquid at temperatures below 76).

Step 2: Add the beeswax and allow this to melt completely.

Step 3: Remove from heat and pour into a jar or tin.  It makes 4 oz.  You may choose a 4-oz. jar or 2 2-oz. tins.  I made mine in 2 2-oz. tins because it’s easier to get out and use.  Plus, I can keep one with me and one at home.

Completely natural sunscreen!

Rub on a little when you will be in the sun for extended periods of time, concentrating on face, neck, and other likely-to-burn areas.  For safety, reapply every few hours or after going in the water.  Since it’s not chemical, it’s not waterproof.  It may keep working since it’s not a physical block, it is fully absorbed, but better to be safe, especially if you or your child burns easily.

**Don’t want to make it yourself?  Grab some in our store!**

How do you keep your little one safe in the sun?