Make the most of the summer sun without worrying about skin damage with our homemade and all-natural sunscreen recipe!

Sun’s out, fun’s out! Summer season is all about travelling, spending time with family and lots of fun. However, this fun should not tamper our well-being especially our skin’s health. We all know that in India, summers tend to be excruciatingly hot and we are always trying our best to keep our body cool. What we usually forget to take care of is our skin. We think that the tan will fade out in a while but did you know that sun exposure has long-term effects on skin’s health?

While we are 100 percent in support of daily doses of fresh air and sunshine, sun exposure is one of those areas in which “too much of a good thing can be dangerous.” You can receive a sunburn in less than 15 minutes, although it may not show for another two to six hours. This form of radiation burn comes an overexposure to ultraviolet rays. The skin reddening is often accompanied by pain and blistering.  Extended exposure to UV rays over a lifetime accelerates the aging of your skin. You may start to see more wrinkles, dryness, sagging and a dull, leathery look. Changes in the skin cells caused by prolonged exposure may lead to skin cancer, the most common of all cancers. Some people who suffer from photosensitivity can also gets large itchy red patches on their skin called Hives with long exposure to direct sunlight.

The best way to protect yourself against the damaging effects of the sun is to limit exposure and protect your skin. If you happen to have short-term exposure to sun then it’s best to use a natural sunscreen to prevent sun damage. Using a natural sunscreen for mild sun exposure is much healthier than store bought ones which expose the body to chemicals as well as lead to skin break outs. The benefits of coconut oil and other plant oils are seemingly endless when you’re trying to live naturally. Some studies have even shown that certain oils, including olive and coconut oil, can protect against sun damage. So, in the era of DIY, why shouldn’t you use just oil as natural sunscreen?

Homemade All-Natural Sunscreen 

This DIY recipe is for mild short term sun exposure only and the best way to avoid the dangers of sun rays and UV exposure is to avoid direct sun exposure for long hours and to use clothing and hats when in the sun.

Ingredients:

2 tbsps. Coconut Oil:

Coconut oil come with natural SPF of 4-10, which means they shield the skin for about 45 minutes of sun exposure by blocking at least 75% of ultraviolet radiations.

1 tbsp. Sweet Almond Oil:

Almond oil can be used as a light and effective barrier from potentially harmful UVA and UVB rays, with a natural sun protection factor of 6. Thanks to its abundance of vitamin E, it will also work to rejuvenate and hydrate the skin during and after sun exposure.

1 tbsp. Sesame Oil:

Sesame oil is believed to be one of the best natural sunscreens. As per studies, it can filter about 30 percent of UV rays. The antioxidants present in this oil also fight the free radicals in the skin which lead to damage and issues like wrinkles, pigmentation, fine lines among others.

2 tbsp. Aloe Vera gel:

Aloe Vera is a good active ingredient to reach for in your homemade sunscreen arsenal. It's been proven to both treat and prevent burns on your skin.

1 pinch Turmeric:

Turmeric and Aloe Vera sunscreen is a perfect natural remedy which protects your skin from bacteria caused by excess sweat in summer months. The strong antiseptic properties of turmeric and cool Aloe Vera gel work as amazing natural sunscreens.

Method:

• Add in all oils in a bowl and then aloe gel and turmeric.
• Mix till no lumps can be seen.
• Transfer this mixture to a glass bottle and use daily for sun protection.

We might not realize the damage the sun’s rays are causing, because some of it might happen gradually. Sunscreen should always be applied on clean and dry skin, usually right after a shower. Also make sure to apply this sunscreen 30 minutes before you step out in the sun so that the oils can settle into your skin and do their magic. Sunscreens work for a maximum of three hours, so you need to re-apply. You can also use it as the base before applying makeup. Make sure the sunscreen is absolutely compatible with your skin type by doing a patch test. Avoid the area around eyes. And remember, if you are healthy inside, you are healthy outside. Keeping yourself hydrated is also very important. Drink coconut water, lassi, buttermilk and eat foods like sprouts, watermelons and mangoes.

Let us know what other DIY 100% recipes you would like to know, in the comments!

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