[iknowexactly]

Tangential, I read once someone say "I've never met a dermatologist with a suntan."

I've been using sunscreen and hats since I was 20, definitely don't have the leathery look most of those near 60 have.
Remember evolution-wise, looking young at 50+ was pretty useless, most people didn't live past 50 and those that did probably played little role in setting up the genes that survived. My father got skin cancer when he was over 80, very few people survived that long in the past.

Also, I read about why vegetables have color, it's to protect themselves against the sun.

For every one good, new innovative idea ( caffeine/coffee actually has some good effects) there's many fringe BS ideas that are noticed simply because they're odd.

[redbeard]

Just anecdotal -

past few weeks I've been making an effort to go for a half hour walk, outside, shirtless, lathered in coconut oil. This is to build up a base tan for summer.

I went to a music festival Saturday and didn't wear a sunscreen or a hat, and after 8 hours in the sun all I had was a minor redness the day after.

My base tan must be working. Either that or having sex with this hippy chick all weekend put some magic healing chakra on my skin.

I don't know the long term effects but with plenty of moisturizatkon and coconut oil/ACV I think getting continual low impact bursts of sun is beneficial.

(Also remember I'm early twenties and do not worry about wrinkles)

[Basil Ransom]

Haha Germanico, I used this recipe, half batch:
Ingredients
½ olive oil (can infuse with herbs first if desired)
¼ cup coconut oil (natural SPF 4)
¼ cup beeswax
2 Tablespoons Zinc Oxide (This is a non-nano version that won't be absorbed into the skin. Be careful not to inhale the powder).

Instructions
Combine ingredients except zinc oxide in a pint sized or larger glass jar. I have a mason jar that I keep just for making lotions and lotion bars, or you can even reuse a glass jar from pickles, olives, or other foods.
Fill a medium saucepan with a couple inches of water and place over medium heat.
Put a lid on the jar loosely and place in the pan with the water.
As the water heats, the ingredients in the jar will start to melt. Shake or stir occasionally to incorporate. When all ingredients are completely melted, add the zinc oxide, stir in well and pour into whatever jar or tin you will use for storage. Small mason jars (pint size) are great for this. It will not pump well in a lotion pump!
Stir a few times as it cools to make sure zinc oxide is incorporated.
Use as you would regular sunscreen. Best if used within six months.

Endquote
http://wellnessmama.com/2558/homemade-sunscreen/

Seems a lot of people recommended adding shea butter (see link). I didn't do that, only because I didn't have any. I'd add some darkening substance like cocoa powder next time. Might be able to get away with less beeswax, because my formulation came out a bit solid at room temperature, a bit more so than coconut oil, but it still melts on your skin.

A friend of a friend is a professional chemist who designs sunscreens, and strongly recommended using mineral over chemical sunscreens.

[iknowexactly]

where do you get zinc oxide powder?

[The_CEO]

BasilR-

is that stuff visible on your skin after application?

is it water resistant or useable swimming?

is it for face application only, or could use on body?

thanks.

[Basil Ransom]

I got the ZO and beeswax from Amazon. My ZO is from Nature's Oil, but Silk Road and Essential Depot have similar highly rated offerings on Amazon as well. I have beeswax from North Oak Valley on Amazon, $7 for 5 oz. There's also a pound for $14. I've only used like half an ounce so far, so 5 oz was plenty - but it all depends on how much sunscreen you use.

Yes, it is very visible and pasty on the skin. However, this might be alleviated with cocoa powder.

The recipe is not recommended for swimming. I use it when I'm getting sweaty - I think it will work as long as you don't wipe your face - it stays on your face pretty well.

You can use it on your entire body. Careful applying around the eyes though, as with any lotion.

[Island Souljah]

(03-28-2015 08:20 AM)Basil Ransom Wrote:  

I decided to make my own sunscreen, using zinc oxide as the primary active ingredient. Chemical sunscreen, some allege, is a hormone disruptor. The mineral, non-chemical sunscreen I found was pretty expensive, and mineral sunscreen is pretty easy to make at home apparently.

Growing up surfing in Hawaii in the 70's zinc oxide was the only sunscreen that existed.

Sunscreens sold in the U.S. currently carry a single SPF rating, which measures only the sunscreen’s protection against Ultraviolet-B (UVB) radiation, the primary cause of sunburn. However, Ultraviolet-A (UVA) rays penetrate the skin more deeply, causing the skin to age more rapidly. And both forms of ultraviolet radiation can cause skin cancer.

Sunscreens in America are not allowed to contain the ingredient which blocks the more harmful UVA rays. Buy the more expensive European stuff.

[Basil Ransom]

"Sunscreens in America are not allowed to contain the ingredient which blocks the more harmful UVA rays. Buy the more expensive European stuff."

Source? I'll call BS on that - plenty of American sunscreens advertise broad spectrum UVA/UVB coverage.

[The_CEO]

I have read that Titanium Dioxide, a nanoparticles, is used as a reflective agent (to reflect away the UV).
There is some conjecture that it can penetrate the skin, working its way into the body, and then who knows...

Also, that it can heat up in your skin, and cause damage.

Personally I select UVA/UVB products that do not have this ingredient.

[Basil Ransom]

Titanium isn't your only option, and your allegations may lack scientific evidence. The products you use instead, likely chemical sunscreens, are hormone disruptors.

[The_CEO]

There is also not hard science so far demonstrating firmly otherwise.
I have read an aggregate of data that has led me to decide it's the best choice for me (to avoid tit. dioxide).

The problem for me is I am in the sun a lot and the natural homemade product won't work for me. And neither will covering up completely.

This is a good resource to look at what "you" use:

http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/

also:
http://www.ewg.org/consumer-guides

[Basil Ransom]

Why not use zinc oxide?

[The_CEO]

(05-08-2015 07:40 PM)Basil Ransom Wrote:  

Why not use zinc oxide?

I'd be willing to try it again.

I need a product that is water resistant for 80minutes, for face and body.

And prefer that it's not thick and caked on like Crisco.

The product I tried was also a hassle to wash off.

If anyone has reco's I would like some new options (besides chemical ones)

[tarquin]

Have you also considered including titanium dioxide?

[The_CEO]

^^^^^
No.
See my post above.

Also:

"Many cosmetic companies are capitalizing on metal oxide nanoparticles. We have seen, however, that if titanium dioxide particles used to act as a sunscreen are small enough, they can penetrate the cells, leading to photocatalysis within the cell, causing DNA damage after exposure to sunlight (Powell, et. al. 1996) The fear is that this could lead to cancer in the skin. Studies with subjects who applied sunscreens with micronized titanium dioxide daily for 2-4 weeks showed that the skin can absorb microfine particles. These particles were seen in the percutaneous layers of the skin under UV light. Coarse or fine particles of titanium dioxide are safe and effective at deflecting and absorbing UV light, protecting the skin, but consumers should avoid using products with micronized mineral pigments, either in sunscreens or colour cosmetics."