Natural Sunscreen?

July 13, 2004

Sun Screen recipes

A good sunscreen has two purposes: To begin with, it helps the skin maintain

its

natural oils and moisture, which cam be lost through exposure to the sun's

radiation. Secondly, sunscreen also protects the skin against UVA and UVB

rays,

whose damaging effects have increased markedly with the reduction in the

atmosphere's ozone layer. Sunlight causes skin pigment cells, called

melanocytes, to synthesize increased amounts of melanin, giving the skin a

protective pigment, or tan. But, while increased melanin can act as a

natural

filter to keep harmful UV radiation from penetrating further into the skin,

using sunscreen with a high SPF is still important, especially if you are

fair-skinned or have a family history of cancer.

Application

As well as containing moisturizing properties, avocado oil, sesame oil

and

shea butter contain a low SPF sunscreen. However, they have only a limited

VA/UVB-filtering ability, thus you should not use them as your only skin

protection. For a natural sunscreen with a higher SPF, use a commercial

sunscreen with titanium dioxide.

Perishability and storage

To keep homemade sunscreen from spoiling, use only clean utensils for

preparation and storage. Store lotions in the refrigerator, where they will

keep

for about 3-4 weeks.

Proper application

To achieve maximum protection from the sun, apply sunscreen to dry

skin 30

minutes before exposure. Limit your sun exposure time to less than one hour;

actual amount of time depends on your skin type.

Skin types

There are four basic skin types, each with a different level of

tolerance

to sun exposure. People with light skin and blond or reddish hair are Type

I,

and their natural protection time (amount of time skin can be exposed to the

sun

without burning) is 5-10 minutes. The natural protection time of people with

skin Type II, who have a somewhat darker complexion, is up to 20 minutes.

People

with skin Types III and IV, those with much darker skin tones, can stay in

the

sun for 30-40 minutes. To determine how long a sunscreen will protect you,

multiply your natural protection time by the SPF. Of course, if you have a

family history of skin cancer, you should always use a sunscreen with a high

SPF.

Natural-Protection Cream

3 tbsp. unrefined sesame oil

1 tbsp. unrefined avocado oil

1 tbsp. unrefined jojoba oil

1 tbsp. walnut or almond oil

1 tbsp. shea butter

2 tbsp. cocoa butter

1 tsp. beeswax

1 tsp. soy-lecithin liquid

2 tbsp. aloe-vera gel

2 tbsp. rose or lavender water

½ tsp. borax powder

20 drops carrot-seed essential oil

3-5 drops coconut fragrance oil (optional)

Melt the first 4 oils, butters and beeswax in a double boiler over medium

heat until just melted. Add the soy-lecithin, and stir to blend. Remove from

heat.

In a small saucepan, gently warm the aloe-vera gel and rose or lavender

water, and stir in borax powder until dissolved. Remove from heat.

When the oil and water mixtures are still warm to the touch and about the

same temperature, set the small saucepan into a bowl of ice. Drizzle in the

oil

mixture while mixing rapidly with a small whisk; a cream will quickly form.

Add carrot-seed essential oil and coconut fragrance oil if desired; blend

thoroughly. Take care! If you use perfume oils, avoid citrus oils-such as

bergamont, orange, lemon or lime. They may cause unpleasant skin reactions

when

exposed to the sun. They also reduce a sunscreen's effectiveness.

For After-Sun Relief

To help reduce inflammation and cool and moisturize sunburned skin, apply

a

thin coat of yogurt or aloe-vera gel to reddened areas.

Spray pure lavender water or hydrosol freely on sun-damaged skin to keep

skin

hydrated, help prevent peeling and promote the regeneration of cells.

Add 2-3 drops of lavender oil to 1 tsp. of a carrier oil, such as

sweet-almond oil, and massage into affected area. Or apply diluted St.

John's-wort oil.

There's No Such Thing As A Safe Tan

To protect your skin (your body's largest organ) from UVA radiation,

use a

suntan lotion with a high SPF. Lotions with plant-based oils, such as

vitamin

E-rich avocado oil, have enhanced effectiveness. Vitamin E helps to prevent

premature skin aging due to sun exposure. Remember, there is no safe tan.

Use

common sense, and always avoid any overexposure to the sun.

Cold Sunburn Compress

Take about 1- 3 tablespoons of dried chamomile flowers (up to 5 tablespoons

of fresh) and slow boil in a non-aluminum pot for about 10 minutes. Let the

tea steep for about another 15 minutes and then strain flowers out using a

very fine strainer, or clean cloth (preferred). Take a " flour sack " towel,

found in most kitchens, or a clean linen cloth and fold to size of burn.

Immerse cloth in cold tea and apply. If you place a wet towel in the

refrigerator for 15 minutes and place it over the compress, it will keep the

tea cold and enhance soothing. If the burn is blistered or about to blister

see qualified health professional for emergency treatment. But as the skin

begins to heal this compress will sooth and relax the area.

Herbal Remedy for Minor Burns

Mix together 2 tbsp each of marshmallow and comfrey root. Set over low heat

in a saucepan with 1 cup olive oil and 1 cup wine for 30 minutes. Cool and

strain. Marshmallow and comfrey are reputed to have excellent skin healing

properties.

Raw Aloe Vera

Break off a leaf of the plant and squeeze juice from the inside of the leaf

onto the burn area. It will be thick and jelly-like, and it smells bad, but

aloe vera provides a great healing aid to the skin.

Tea Bags

Tannic acid can help draw the heat from a burn. Drop 2-3 tea bags in a bath

- put under the spout while the water is running to get the most out of the

tea bags. Add a decoction of comfrey root for more pain relief.

Another method is to make a decoction using 3-4 tea bags, 2 cups of fresh

mint leaves and 4 cups water. Strain liquid into a jar and allow to cool. To

use, dab the mixture on sunburned skin with a cotton ball or washcloth.

You can also make a poultice out of 2-3 tea bags and place over the burned

area. Or, simply place wet tea bags directly on the burn and cover with a

piece of gauze to hold them in place.

Oatmeal Bath for Itch Relief

Crumble 1 cup of uncooked oatmeal into a bath of lukewarm water as the bath

is filling. Soak 15-20 minutes and gently pat the burned area dry so that a

thin coating of the oatmeal remains on your skin. (Be careful getting in and

out of the tub, the oatmeal will make the bathtub very slippery.) This

remedy is good for the itching that comes from a healing burn or sunburn.

Quicky Sunburn Lotions

Mix 2 tbsp vinegar in 1/2 cup water and dab on burned area, or

Mix equal parts of vinegar and olive or vegetable oil and dab on burned area

A few drops of peppermint essential oil and water in a spritzer bottle will

take the heat out also.

sunblock

I got this off another list I'm on~ looks good!

Jan

1 oz. sesame oil

1 oz. coconut oil

1 oz. olive oil

10 drops Helichrysum

5 drops Lavender

3 drops Chamomile

Mix and apply.

Sesame oil can block or reduce about 30% of the burning rays; coconut and

olive

oils about 20%; and aloe vera also inhibits 20%. Helichrysum oil has been

researched for its ability to effectively screen out some of the sun's rays.

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July 13, 2004

Hi I heard that green tea protects from the inside as well. And to

some extent, from the outside.

But honestly, none of the natural sunscreens are really a sure thing

because you don't know what SPF it truly is. I have Rosacea on my

face, and I know just what you mean about having sensitive skin that

over-reacts. But, I still wear sunscreen on my face. I've had luck

with two things- any sunscreen that is made from titanium dioxide,

and in the UK, I found a Neal's Yard lavender sunscreen, SPF 22 (or

27) that my skin really likes. The lavender is soothing and calming

and the formula is great. There is a store in Conneticut, and I know

you can find them online. It may take some experimenting to find a

brand that agrees with you- but you may want to try using sunscreens

designed for the face on your entire body... those tend to be gentler.

herbal remedies , John Ybarra

<deuteronomy2929> wrote:

> I'm not too sure about the outside. But from the inside, I've heard

that pineapple and papaya have enzymes that help protect the skin

from sun damage, and help it repair any damange that occures.

>

> John

>

> Carrie <carriejohnson@m...> wrote:

> Well folks, my blonde haired blue eyed butt got baked in the sun

this

> weekend. I was wondering if ya'll could give me some suggestions

of

> some sunscreen to use in the future... I have pretty sensitive skin

> that can be very prone to breaking out and going on strike if I put

> anything on it, so less is best... Thanks

> Carrie johnson

>

July 13, 2004

Also, I thought you might be interested that plantain also has

mucilage, which is the same thing that makes aloe gel all sticky.

Mucilage is what makes plantain, aloe, slippery elm, marshmallow skin

soothers. Tannins generally make something astringent, which means

they seal in any oozing (example, from overactive sweat glands). It

also may contribute to a minor amount of external sun protection

because it supposedly screens some of the rays out. I personally

don't find this to be too helpful because of not knowing the true

SPF.

herbal remedies , Sandra Ballantyne

<scbwestart> wrote:

> plantain and basil have natural sunscreen qualities. When I used

to burn, I shade myself most of the time now. The day I got the

burn, I would make really strong tea and cool it by adding ice. Then

take a cloth and get in the bathtub because it is messy and put the

tea all over where you are burned. I did this until it felt better

and let it dry. I would shower several hours alter. Next day no

burn. I understand it's the tannins that sooths the skin and help it

heal. I have offered this to many people and they have all said it

helped.

>

> My daughter was swimming (with others) and burned her cheeks and

nose badly. The skin was was cracking. I took a regular tea bag and

put it in cool water and for just dabbed it gently across her burned

area off and on for a couple of hours. I put aloe on it when she

went to bed, and the next morning you could not tell she had been

burned. John Ybarra <deuteronomy2929> wrote:

> I'm not too sure about the outside. But from the inside, I've heard

that pineapple and papaya have enzymes that help protect the skin

from sun damage, and help it repair any damange that occures.

>

> John

>

> Carrie <carriejohnson@m...> wrote:

> Well folks, my blonde haired blue eyed butt got baked in the sun

this

> weekend. I was wondering if ya'll could give me some suggestions

of

> some sunscreen to use in the future... I have pretty sensitive skin

> that can be very prone to breaking out and going on strike if I put

> anything on it, so less is best... Thanks

> Carrie johnson

>

> Federal Law requires that we warn you of the following:

> 1. Natural methods can sometimes backfire.

> 2. If you are pregnant, consult your physician before using any

natural remedy.

> 3. The Constitution guarantees you the right to be your own

physician and to

> prescribe for your own health.

> We are not medical doctors although MDs are welcome to post here as

long as

> they behave themselves.

> Any opinions put forth by the list members are exactly that, and

any person

> following the advice of anyone posting here does so at their own

risk.

> It is up to you to educate yourself. By accepting advice or

products from list members, you are agreeing to

> be fully responsible for your own health, and hold the List Owner

and members free of any liability.

>

> Dr. Ian Shillington

> Doctor of Naturopathy

> Dr.IanShillington@G...

>

July 13, 2004

Thanks, I am reading and learning quite a bit, but still VERY new to this.k_huether77 <k_huether77 wrote:

Also, I thought you might be interested that plantain also has mucilage, which is the same thing that makes aloe gel all sticky. Mucilage is what makes plantain, aloe, slippery elm, marshmallow skin soothers. Tannins generally make something astringent, which means they seal in any oozing (example, from overactive sweat glands). It also may contribute to a minor amount of external sun protection because it supposedly screens some of the rays out. I personally don't find this to be too helpful because of not knowing the true SPF. herbal remedies , Sandra Ballantyne <scbwestart> wrote:> plantain and basil have natural sunscreen qualities. When I used to burn, I shade myself most of the time now. The day I got the burn, I would make really strong tea and cool it by adding

ice. Then take a cloth and get in the bathtub because it is messy and put the tea all over where you are burned. I did this until it felt better and let it dry. I would shower several hours alter. Next day no burn. I understand it's the tannins that sooths the skin and help it heal. I have offered this to many people and they have all said it helped. > > My daughter was swimming (with others) and burned her cheeks and nose badly. The skin was was cracking. I took a regular tea bag and put it in cool water and for just dabbed it gently across her burned area off and on for a couple of hours. I put aloe on it when she went to bed, and the next morning you could not tell she had been burned. John Ybarra <deuteronomy2929> wrote:> I'm not too sure about the outside. But from the inside, I've heard that pineapple and papaya have enzymes that

help protect the skin from sun damage, and help it repair any damange that occures.> > John> > Carrie <carriejohnson@m...> wrote:> Well folks, my blonde haired blue eyed butt got baked in the sun this > weekend. I was wondering if ya'll could give me some suggestions of > some sunscreen to use in the future... I have pretty sensitive skin > that can be very prone to breaking out and going on strike if I put > anything on it, so less is best... Thanks> Carrie johnson> > > > > > Federal Law requires that we warn you of the following: > 1. Natural methods can sometimes backfire. > 2. If you are pregnant, consult your physician before using any natural remedy. > 3. The Constitution guarantees you the right

to be your own physician and to> prescribe for your own health. > We are not medical doctors although MDs are welcome to post here as long as > they behave themselves. > Any opinions put forth by the list members are exactly that, and any person > following the advice of anyone posting here does so at their own risk. > It is up to you to educate yourself. By accepting advice or products from list members, you are agreeing to > be fully responsible for your own health, and hold the List Owner and members free of any liability. > > Dr. Ian Shillington> Doctor of Naturopathy> Dr.IanShillington@G... > > >

July 22, 2004

I can't believe someone is promoting a "Drugstore" on HR.

Kinda boggles my mind.

Doc

Ian "Doc" Shillington N.D.727-738-0554DocShillington

-

Michelle Snodgrass

herbal remedies

Monday, July 12, 2004 1:07 PM

Re: Herbal Remedies - Natural Sunscreen?

Carrie,

There are several natural sunscreen brands out there. One that comes to mind is "Kiss My Face". If you do a search on natural sunscreen, you will find some links. Also www.drugstore.com carries some. I remember reading an article not too long ago (last 2 weeks or so) in a magazine (probably Body and Soul or Organic Living) about natural sunscreens. Seems they use light diffusion instead of whatever is in usual sunscreen to block the ray absorption. I haven't tried any yet because they are a bit out of my price range for a family of 5.

For the burn itself, I used comfrey in olive oil. I had made a concoction (=mess, in my opinion) of comfrey leaves chopped up and put in olive oil. I put it on my son last weekend when he got burned and it was all healed the next morning. However, it was rather messy with the olive oil (I know now that I need to mix it with beeswax or something to make it harder...).

Hope the burn is better now and it doesn't peel!

Michelle