Don't make your own sunscreen
Wed, Jul 08 2009 at 1:12 PM EST
Read more: DIY
I’m a huge fan of do-it-yourself projects, whether homemade bread or cardboard laptop bags, because they often mean creative upcycling and unique, handcrafted goodies that are free of weird ingredients or materials. So when I saw directions for making homemade sunscreen on Instructables (via Lifehacker) right after writing about some of the not-so-healthy chemicals that are used in many store-bought sunscreens, I thought, maybe I should give this a shot! After all, as the directions point out, “By making your own sunscreen, you control exactly what goes in!”
But before investing in gloves, a mask, and titanium dioxide, I thought it best to check with the experts to see if DIY sunscreen really is a good idea. So I put the question to Sonya Lunder, senior analyst and Environmental Working Group. Her response: “The long and short of it is that it is better to trust the pros than try to make this stuff at home.”
Why? “Formulating sunscreens is an art and a science,” says Lunder. Since homemade concoctions can go on unevenly leaving portions your skin vulnerable to the sun, and since even some essential oils can make skin more sensitive to the sun, expert mixologists are really the best people to be crafting these sunscreens.
Lunder especially cautions people against buying nano forms of zinc and titanium powder. “The particles are much more absorbed by the lungs and nasal passages — which is why we don’t recommend people use powder or spray sunscreens.”
So there you have it: Don’t worry about getting a sunscreen-dedicated mini mixer and just get your sunscreens from the store. Here again are the details on the safest, easy-to-find sunscreens.
Photo courtesy of scoochmaroo / Instructables
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Comments(2)
Posted By Wabi Sabi Baby - Wed, Jul 22 2009 at 10:42 AM ESTHomemade sunscreen can be safe
The Instructable you mentioned does not do homemade sunscreen justice. There are so many things wrong with it and although the author referenced my blog, this is not the way I make sunscreen. First off, I use conventional, not micronized, zinc oxide. It is much easier to work with, you do not need gloves, and it is very safe (and inexpensive). Zinc oxide is one of the main ingredients in powder makeup (blush, eyeshadows) and medicated ointments (Johnson’s Medicated Baby Powder). Lots of.... More
my way
When they bring the prices down that are so overly inflated for sunscreen and sunblocks, then maybe I'll consider buying over the counter sunscreen again. My sunscreen/sunblock is perfect. My sunscreen spreads evernly, and certainly is not as you described. Mask and gloves and an aprom work just fine. I don't believe even the so called pros even know what they are doing. I'll be so glad when and if the FDA steps in on some of these so called professional companies, who sell us inadequate.... More