Why Avoid Store-Bought Sunscreen
From slapping on SPF 50 sunscreen on your face before applying makeup, to slathering huge amounts of sunscreen on your kids before pool time, to coating your body with sunscreen at the beach; sunscreen is an unavoidable part of many people’s lives. It’s said to give protection from the sun’s harmful UVB radiation that causes skin damage, premature aging and serious conditions like melanoma.
Recently, more and more people are waking up to the dangers of store-bought sunscreen. These contain toxic chemicals like Oxybenzone that is believed to cause hormone disruptions and cell damage. Sunscreen also contains fragrance, an ingredient that seems pretty harmless but in fact, is a term used for a combination of chemicals like parabens, phthalates, and other synthetic nasties that you want to steer clear of.
Don’t miss: Can Shea Butter be Used as Sunscreen?
Another reason to avoid store-bought sunscreens is that they do not prevent melanoma because melanoma mortality actually decreases after UV exposure, according to Dr. Mercola. Commercial sunscreen also prevents the body from producing vitamin D. Vitamin D is a very important nutrient that the body. Without it, the body will facea host of modern health problems, including skin cancer. A bit of sunshine is very healthy for your skin and health!
Below, let’s look at using shea butter as sunscreen and if it actually works.
Shea Butter has Natural SPF
Shea butter is rich in a compound known as cinnamic acid esters. This, combined with other nutrients gives shea butter an SPF of about 6. Cinnamic acid esters also have high absorbance of UV radiation at the wavelength range of 250-300 nm. This makes it work in synergy with other SPF containing ingredients, thus creating an effective sunblock.
Shea Butter as Sunscreen
Can you use shea butter exclusively as sunscreen? Yes! Since ancient times shea butter has been used in Africa to protect from harsh weather conditions.
Pure, raw and unrefined shea butter can be used alone on skin if you don’t easily burn in the sun but rather tend to tan (but still avoid strong sunshine by covering up!). If you have fair skin, then you would need to mix shea butter with other SPF containing ingredients. Some of these include non-nano zinc oxide and raspberry seed oil, etc to make a sunscreen that will work.
There are many people who make their own DIY sunscreens with shea butter as one of the main ingredients. In this link, find my DIY shea butter sunscreen recipe with all-natural SPF!
Make your own DIY Shea Products at Home:
- Shea Butter for Chapped Lips | Save your Pouters!
- DIY Shea Butter Lip Gloss
- Homemade Body Lotion for Glowing Skin
- DIY Shea Butter Lotion Bar Recipe without Beeswax
- DIY Shea Butter Shampoo Recipe – Floral Scented
- 3 Shea Butter Hair Growth Recipes That Work!
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