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.
CONTENTS:
- Natural oils as a sunscreen
- 1. Raspberry seed oil (supposedly SPF 28-50)
- 2. Carrot seed oil (supposedly SPF 38-40)
- 3. Wheat germ oil (supposedly SPF 20)
- 4. Macadamia oil (supposedly SPF 6)
- 5. Jojoba oil (supposedly SPF 4)
- 6. Avocado oil (supposedly SPF 15)
- 7. Shea butter (supposedly SPF 6-10)
- 8. Coconut oil (supposedly SPF 8-10)
- 9. Hemp seed oil (supposedly SPF 6)
- 10. Olive oil (supposedly SPF 2-8)
- Homemade natural walnut and carrot 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:
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?
Stay wild!