Natural Sunscreen Oils: Are They Really Safe? (+Recipe)

Wild morning to you! Experimenting is always a fun pastime especially when it’s too hot to go outside. I’ve made my own tanning oil and I prepared a list of natural oils with SPF levels that can serve as ingredients for homemade sunscreen.

Let’s have a look at whether natural oils contain an SPF level high enough to protect our skin sufficiently. Do you think you can use natural oils to substitute your usual sunscreen?

There has been some talk around the web on coconut oil as sunscreen and its SPF level. I found claims that coconut oil can serve as a sunscreen in itself; the same apparently goes for olive oil as sunscreen, shea butter SPF, cocoa butter SPF, and the list goes on and on.

DIY Sunscreen- it is safe?

I wanted to know more about carrier oils and the protection they offer to the skin. That’s why I made a list of a top 10 natural oils that could be used as an ingredient in a natural homemade sunscreen!

Yes, you can make your own sunscreen; there are dozens of bloggers who promote their own DIY sunscreen online. Still, there are dozens of other articles that claim otherwise; that you shouldn’t make and use homemade sunscreen.

I personally buy it still because it’s something I can not get right and I want full protection for my skin. I found this interesting article from Formula Botanica, which says that

The effectiveness of your sunscreen formulation must be proved and measured by parameters that will assure you that it is performing as it should. Otherwise, you are flying blind. Guessing the effectiveness of your sunscreen by subjectively looking at your skin is not accurate and it doesn’t prove that your formulation is effective. And remember, the redness of the skin is mostly related to the UVB rays. Only a lab test will prove if your homemade sunscreen is effective.

Making homemade skincare can be quite dangerous and I don’t want to risk and damage the largest organ on my body. There are plenty of natural sunscreens available; some of the top rated (and my favorite):

• 100% Pure sunscreen
• Beauty by Earth
• Nurture my Body

Natural oils as a sunscreen

While there is a lot of debate on the Internet whether natural oils could be used as a commercial sunscreen substitute or not, I say it’s up to you.

I have decided long ago that natural oils cannot serve as a good source for the protection from the sun. I’ve compiled a list of natural oils that could benefit your skin in a healthy, healing, and nurturing way.

Still,  I normally make a concoction of these (which is based on cocoa butter, olive oil, and shea butter) and I use it after I get into the shade, after the swim, after sunbathing. These oils can cause more damage than good when used on direct sunlight. Here’s a good article on why you shouldn’t use coconut oil as sunscreen.

Whether you want to choose natural oil as a sunscreen or not, it’s up to you even though I would seriously recommend it against it. However, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with adding these oils for your DIY skincare recipes, such as body butters, oils, and facial serums, but not as natural sunscreen protection.

1. Raspberry seed oil (supposedly SPF 28-50)

• Essential fatty acids (omega 3 and 6)
• Vitamin E (protects the cells from the damage of the free radicals)
• Polyphenols (can be found in red wine, green tea, and olives: they protect the skin from UV radiation and boost skin cell regeneration)

* this carrier oil is a bit pricey to slather it all over your body; I’d prefer to use it in facial skincare instead.

Find organic raspberry seed oil here.

2. Carrot seed oil (supposedly SPF 38-40)

• Contains high levels of vitamins A, E, and C
• Rich in antioxidants (beta-carotene)
• A natural anti-aging serum
• Rejuvenates and protects the skin

Find carrot seed oil here.

3. Wheat germ oil (supposedly SPF 20)

• A rich source of vitamins A, D, B-complex
• Vitamin E (free-radical protection)
• Loaded with antioxidants and fatty acids
• Rich source of minerals (magnesium, iron, potassium, phosphorus)
• Moisturizes and heals your skin

Find wheat germ oil here.

4. Macadamia oil (supposedly SPF 6)

• A rich source of vitamin A
• A good source of minerals (iron, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, copper, and zinc)
• A rich source of thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and folates
• Contains loads of antioxidants (polyphenols, amino acids)
• Rich in monounsaturated fats
• Contains a high level of protein
• Slows down a skin-aging process
• Prevents your hair from breaking

Find macadamia oil here.

5. Jojoba oil (supposedly SPF 4)

• A very rich source of vitamins E and B-complex
• A rich source of minerals such as zinc, copper, iodine, and selenium
• The antioxidants in jojoba oil regenerate skin and slow down the aging process
• Hydrates skin
• Anti-inflammatory and antiseptic
• Reduces wrinkles
• Reduces stretch marks
• Boosts hair growth
• Gives a natural and healthy shine to your hair

Find organic jojoba oil here.

6. Avocado oil (supposedly SPF 15)

• A rich source of vitamins A, E, and C.
• Contains a decent amount of magnesium, calcium, potassium, and iron
• Rich in antioxidants
• Contains monounsaturated fats (the good fats, I’ve covered avocado benefits in this post)
• Hydrates dry skin
• Helps with sunburns as well as with skin regeneration
• Works as a natural conditioner for hair
• Regulates hair growth and improves the circulation of the scalp

Find organic avocado oil here.

7. Shea butter (supposedly SPF 6-10)

You can read more about shea butter hair benefits here.

• Rich in vitamins A, D, and E
• Anti-inflammatory
• Great for skin rashes, scars, stretch marks, and burns
• Great for after-sun skin care (sunburns and tanning)
• Contains essential fatty acids
• Hydrates dry skin (great as a winter skin care)
• Anti-aging agent
• Soothes a dry scalp (no more itching!)
• A great hair and skin moisturizer

Shea butter recipes:

• DIY creamy body butter
• Nutritious homemade lip balm

Find organic shea butter here.

8. Coconut oil (supposedly SPF 8-10)

• Contains a high level of antioxidants
• Very moisturizing for dry skin
• Strengthens the roots of your hair and hydrates the hair, which results in shiny and strong hair
• Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal properties
• Helps with different skin disorders or injuries
• Great for dental health
• Boosts metabolism (if eaten)

Coconut oil recipes:

Hair mask with coconut oil for itchy scalp.

Coconut oil pulling: why should you?

Find organic coconut oil here.

9. Hemp seed oil (supposedly SPF 6)

You can read more about hemp seed oil skin benefits here.

• Rich source of vitamin E
• Packed with minerals: potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, phosphorus
• High protein content
• A rich source of omega 3 fatty acid
• Rich source of polyunsaturated fats
• Regenerates the skin
• Great skin and hair moisturizer
• Boosts the immune system

Find organic hemp seed oil here.

10. Olive oil (supposedly SPF 2-8)

Read more about olive oil skin and hair benefits here.

• Packed with antioxidants
• Rich in monounsaturated fats
• Anti-inflammatory
• Aids in skin elasticity
• Helps with skin regeneration (in case of wounds and sunburns)
• Antiaging properties
• Hydrates the hair

Find organic extra virgin olive oil here.

Homemade natural tanning oil

First of all, I heard that with the help of carrots and walnuts, I could make my skin more tanned. That’s the reason I made this oil in the first place (budget!). So at this point, I’d rather call it a tanning oil than a homemade sunscreen, because I believe the SPF of this oil is about 5. And that is just too low.

My homemade tanning oil contains only 5 ingredients and DIY-ing has just never been this easy. You can even make it with only 3 ingredients if you’re feeling lazy; you can leave out dried lavender petals and coconut oil.

• Carrots

Carrots are loaded with beta-carotene, which protects the skin from the UV rays and at the same time it is also a powerful antioxidant.

• Walnuts

Walnuts are rich in vitamin E and healthy fats. This is just another antioxidant for healthy skin.

• Olive oil

Olive oil is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, vitamin A and E. It protects the skin from the sun.

• Coconut oil

Coconut oil also protects the skin from the sun and the free radicals: it contains antioxidants and fatty acids.

Do you use natural oils in your daily skin care?

Stay wild!

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