Okay, so I’ve been messing around with essential oils lately, trying to find ways to use them for, you know, everyday stuff. And since summer’s rolling in, I thought, why not see if they can do anything for sun protection? I mean, who doesn’t want to smell good and maybe get a little extra defense against those rays, right?
So, I started digging around, reading up on what oils are supposed to be good for this. Turns out, it’s not as straightforward as just slathering on some lavender and calling it a day. There’s this whole thing about phototoxicity, which basically means some oils can actually make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Yeah, not exactly what I was going for.
Anyway, after a bunch of reading, I started to get a handle on which oils might actually be helpful. A few that kept popping up were pomegranate seed oil and red raspberry seed oil. Apparently, these guys have some natural sun-blocking properties, plus they’re packed with antioxidants, which is always a good thing for your skin. I figured it was worth giving them a shot.
Then there are the classics, like olive oil and coconut oil. I saw some stuff online that said these two have the best SPF values out of a bunch of different oils. I use these all the time in the kitchen, so I already had some on hand. Made it pretty easy to start experimenting.
I also stumbled upon carrot seed oil. This one’s an essential oil, and get this – some people say it has an SPF of like 30! That’s pretty high for a natural oil. Then there’s wheat germ oil, which supposedly has an SPF of around 20. Plus, it’s supposed to be really nourishing for your skin, so that’s a bonus.
I found out some other oils that could be helpful, like rice bran oil, sesame oil, hemp oil, avocado oil, soybean oil, vanilla extract, and even peanut oil! It’s a pretty long list, huh? I decided to stick with a few that I either already had or could easily get my hands on.
For my little experiment, I decided to mix a few drops of carrot seed oil and red raspberry seed oil with some coconut oil. I figured, why not combine the potential SPF benefits of the carrot seed with the known SPF of coconut oil? Plus, I love the smell of coconut oil, so it seemed like a win-win.
I whipped up a small batch in a little glass jar – nothing fancy, just eyeballing the amounts, to be honest. I started applying it to my arms and legs before heading out for my daily walks. It felt nice and moisturizing, and it definitely smelled good. I did notice that I didn’t get quite as tan as I usually do, so maybe it was working?
I also tried a mixture with olive oil, and another one using some shea butter I had lying around. Shea butter, along with cocoa butter and mango butter, are supposed to have some natural SPF qualities too. It felt super creamy and luxurious on my skin.
I’ve been using these homemade concoctions for a few weeks now, just as an extra layer of protection along with my regular sunscreen, especially on days when I’m outside for longer periods. Honestly, it’s hard to say for sure if the essential oils are making a huge difference in terms of sun protection, but my skin feels great, and I haven’t gotten any sunburns, so I’m calling it a win for now. I did try the red raspberry seed oil on its own one day, and while it felt good, I think I prefer it mixed with something else, just for the texture.
- Coconut Oil: Always have some in my pantry, and it’s a great base for mixing.
- Carrot Seed Oil: This is the one I was most excited about, with its supposed high SPF.
- Red Raspberry Seed Oil: Another one with potential sun protection and antioxidants.
- Shea Butter: I love how this feels on my skin, and it might be adding a bit of SPF too.
- Avocado oil: Healthy for the skin and has some SPF.
What I Use
So, that’s my little adventure with essential oils and sun protection so far. I’m definitely going to keep experimenting with different combinations and see what works best. It’s been a fun way to learn more about the power of these little oils and how to use them in my daily routine. Plus, my skin’s been feeling super soft and happy, so that’s a pretty good outcome, I’d say!
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