Natural oils as sunscreen + natural homemade walnut & carrot tanning oil

Wild morning to you! Experimenting is always a fun pastime especially when it’s too hot to go outside. I’ve made my own tanning oil (that could serve as a mild sunscreen) and I prepared a list of natural oils with SPF levels that can serve as ingredients for a homemade sunscreen. Do natural oils contain an SPF level high enough to protect our skin sufficiently? Can natural oils substitute your usual sunscreen?

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There has been some talk around the web on coconut oil (ok, a lot about coconut oil) and its SPF level. I found claims that coconut oil can serve as a sunscreen in itself; the same went for olive oil. That’s why I made a list of a top 10 natural oils that could be used as an ingredient in a natural homemade sunscreen. Below you’ll find the recipe for my homemade tanning oil.

Natural oils as a sunscreen

While there is a lot of debate on the Internet whether natural oils could be used as a commercial sunscreen substitute or not, I couldn’t really find a reason to believe one side or the other. I’m not sure I can decide that homemade sunscreen does the same as a tested mineral sunscreen. That is why I added supposedly next to every SPF factor. Keep in mind that it may not be the best option to keep your skin well-protected. I have not tried it myself; I must admit that I am still skeptical but I do have to say this: natural oils as a sunscreen or not, they are very beneficial for the body on the inside and on the outside.

Whether you want to choose natural oil as a sunscreen or not, it’s up to you. However, adding an avocado oil or a carrot seed oil to my beauty box is something I’m already working on.

1. Raspberry seed oil (supposedly SPF 28-50)

• Essential fatty acids (omega 3 and 6)
• Vitamin E (protects the cells from the damage of the free radicals)
• Polyphenols (can be found in red wine, green tea, and olives: they protect the skin from UV radiation and boost skin cell regeneration)

Find organic raspberry seed oil here.

2. Carrot seed oil (supposedly SPF 38-40)

• Contains high levels of vitamins A, E, and C
• Rich in antioxidants (beta-carotene)
• A natural anti-aging serum
• Rejuvenates and protects the skin

Find carrot seed oil here.

3. Wheat germ oil (supposedly SPF 20)

• A rich source of vitamins A, D, B-complex
• Vitamin E (free-radical protection)
• Loaded with antioxidants and fatty acids
• Rich source of minerals (magnesium, iron, potassium, phosphorus)
• Moisturizes and heals your skin

Find wheat germ oil here.

4. Macadamia oil (supposedly SPF 6)

• A rich source of vitamin A
• A good source of minerals (iron, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, copper, and zinc)
• A rich source of thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and folates
• Contains loads of antioxidants (polyphenols, amino acids)
• Rich in monounsaturated fats
• Contains a high level of protein
• Slows down a skin-aging process
• Prevents your hair from breaking

Find macadamia oil here.

5. Jojoba oil (supposedly SPF 4)

• A very rich source of vitamins E and B-complex
• A rich source of minerals such as zinc, copper, iodine, and selenium
• The antioxidants in jojoba oil regenerate skin and slow down the aging process
• Hydrates skin
• Anti-inflammatory and antiseptic
• Reduces wrinkles
• Reduces stretch marks
• Boosts hair growth
• Gives a natural and healthy shine to your hair

Find organic jojoba oil here.

6. Avocado oil (supposedly SPF 15)

• A rich source of vitamins A, E, and C.
• Contains a decent amount of magnesium, calcium, potassium, and iron
• Rich in antioxidants
• Contains monounsaturated fats (the good fats, I’ve covered avocado benefits in this post)
• Hydrates dry skin
• Helps with sunburns as well as with skin regeneration
• Works as a natural conditioner for hair
• Regulates hair growth and improves the circulation of the scalp

Find organic avocado oil here.

7. Shea butter (supposedly SPF 6-10)

You can read more about shea butter hair benefits here.

• Rich in vitamins A, D, and E
• Anti-inflammatory
• Great for skin rashes, scars, stretch marks, and burns
• Great for after-sun skin care (sunburns and tanning)
• Contains essential fatty acids
• Hydrates dry skin (great as a winter skin care)
• Anti-aging agent
• Soothes a dry scalp (no more itching!)
• A great hair and skin moisturizer

Shea butter recipes:

DIY creamy body butter

Nutritious homemade lip balm

Find organic shea butter here.

8. Coconut oil (supposedly SPF 8-10)

• Contains a high level of antioxidants
• Very moisturizing for dry skin
• Strengthens the roots of your hair and hydrates the hair, which results in shiny and strong hair
• Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal properties
• Helps with different skin disorders or injuries
• Great for dental health
• Boosts metabolism (if eaten)

Coconut oil recipes:

Coconut oil hair mask for itchy scalp.

Coconut oil pulling: why should you?

Find organic coconut oil here.

9. Hemp seed oil (supposedly SPF 6)

You can read more about hemp seed oil skin benefits here.

• Rich source of vitamin E
• Packed with minerals: potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, phosphorus
• High protein content
• A rich source of omega 3 fatty acid
• Rich source of polyunsaturated fats
• Regenerates the skin
• Great skin and hair moisturizer
• Boosts the immune system

Find organic hemp seed oil here.

10. Olive oil (supposedly SPF 2-8)

Read more about olive oil skin and hair benefits here.

• Packed with antioxidants
• Rich in monounsaturated fats
• Anti-inflammatory
• Aids in skin elasticity
• Helps with skin regeneration (in case of wounds and sunburns)
• Antiaging properties
• Hydrates the hair

Find organic extra virgin olive oil here.

Homemade natural walnut and carrot tanning oil

First of all, I heard that with the help of carrots and walnuts, I could make my skin more tanned. That’s the reason I made this oil in the first place (budget!). So at this point, I’d rather call it a tanning oil than a homemade sunscreen, because I believe the SPF of this oil is about 5. And that is just too low.

My homemade tanning oil contains only 5 ingredients and DIY-ing has just never been this easy. You can even make it with only 3 ingredients if you’re feeling lazy; you can leave dried lavender petals and coconut oil.

Carrots

Carrots are loaded with beta-carotene, which protects the skin from the UV rays and at the same time it is also a powerful antioxidant.

Walnuts

Walnuts are rich in vitamin E and healthy fats. This is just another antioxidant for a healthy skin.

Olive oil

Olive oil is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, vitamin A and E. It protects the skin from the sun.

Coconut oil

Coconut oil also protects the skin from the sun and the free radicals: it contains antioxidants and fatty acids.

Tanning oil ingredients:

• 1 carrot, shredded
• 4 green walnuts, chopped
• ¼ cup olive oil (cold pressed, organic)
• ¼ cup coconut oil (cold pressed, organic)
• A few dried lavender petals (optional)

The procedure:

I chopped the walnuts, shredded the carrot and put everything in a jar. Then I added the lavender, which was in there mostly for the smell. I poured a mixture of olive oil and coconut oil over the ingredients, closed the lid and shook well.

I left the mixture on my terrace in a sunny spot for about a week, shaking it daily. The color changed after a few days, turning darker and darker. After a week I strained the mixture, poured the so-called tanning oil into a clean dry jar. I now keep it in the bathroom but I never use this oil when the sun is at its strongest. I either apply it after my dry-brushing routine and shower in the morning or late afternoon if I go outside.

Do you use natural oils in your daily skin care?

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