Homemade Foodie Sun Skin (Screen)

We love homemade anything in our house from jams and chutneys to sunscreens and arnica creams!

I made sunscreen the other day because the temperature had been climbing and our kids were in the sun a lot with sport. They play representative sport and that means a lot of time in the sun with competitions and training. When they are playing sport we are unable to use our ‘be in the sun responsibly’ chant even though they do their best and do wear hats. When they returned the other day with the pinkish glow I thought I’m going to make some sun skin! We don’t call it sunscreen but rather we call it Sun Skin for two reasons 1) we don’t want to ‘screen’ the sun out because natural vitamin D derived from the sun is so important for health and 2) it is like having a second skin!

I’ve used non-nano particle zinc oxide for our Sun Skin and I recommend you do to. The traditional zinc oxide uses very small particles (nano) that are absorbed by your skin. That contributes to toxicity in your body and does little to enhance your health. Your skin is the largest organ of your body and looking after your skin and putting things on it that enhance it’s function are vitally important to us and our kids. Non-nano particle zinc oxide is too large to be absorbed by the skin. Do make sure you are purchasing from a reputable person or company. I brought ours locally from TradeMe in New Zealand.

I made two jars of our Sun Skin for you. One chocolate one and one plain one and they smell yummy because they are made using FOOD!

CHOCOLATE SUN SKIN

Prep time: 10 mins or less

Cook time: Nil

Serving: Makes 3/4 of a 160 gram jar which is a lot because you don’t need much!

Ingredients:

• 6 Tbsp organic cold pressed coconut oil at room temperature (natural SPF 4-6)
• 15 gms raw cacao powder
• 4 Tbsp non-nano particle zinc oxide (natural SPF 15)
• 6 drops of either raspberry oil, lavender, frankincense
• 1 150 gram glass jar with lid

Directions:

1. Place the coconut oil (I had mine at room temperature so it was already thawed) into a Thermomix or your favourite blender. If your coconut oil is not liquid to start with you will need to melt it first before adding to your blender or Thermomix.
2. Add the raw cacao powder and mix the two together until well combined.
3. Add the zinc oxide and your choice of essential oils. For this recipe I used 3 drops of lavender and 3 drops of frankincense.
4. Mix all ingredients until well combined.
5. Pour the ingredients into a 150 gram glass jar – label and store until needed.

Note: This chocolate mixture is runny. It doesn’t however mean the application is any less effective. It will be more liquid in heat and firmer during the cold. Do not place in direct sunlight. Store in your fridge. It can last up to 6 months on a shelf and 12 months in a fridge! It has a natural SPF of approximately 20.

PLAIN WHITE SUN SKIN

Prep time and Serve size: similar to the Chocolate Sun Skin

Ingredients:

1. 6 Tbsp virgin, unrefined organic cold pressed coconut oil (liquid or hard) (natural SPF 4-6)
2. 1 Tbsp of organic beeswax
3. 4 Tbsp non-nano particle zinc oxide (natural SPF 15)
4. 6 drops of either raspberry oil, lavender, frankincense
5. 1 150 gram glass jar

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients (except the essential oils) in a double boiler. The beeswax will begin to melt at about 85 degrees.
2. Stir occasionally until beeswax is melted and the ingredients are combined.
3. Remove saucepan from the double boiler and cool the saucepan for about a minute under running water careful not to get any water in the saucepan.
4. Pour into a 150 gram glass jar and allow to cool.

Note: This recipe will harden a lot faster because of the beeswax. It will warm up with heat from your fingers when you apply it. Do not place in direct sunlight. Store in your fridge. It can last up to 6 months on a shelf and 12 months in a fridge! It has a natural SPF of approximately 20.