The use of sunscreen or sunblock is one of the important things to preserve the skin, especially during the summer holidays. Therefore, many companies produce sunscreen, but some studies have proven the danger of some chemicals used in those products, so in this article we will talk about what is the best natural sunscreen to use, and how to prepare sunscreen at home.

How to protect from the sun

• Avoid being in the sun at its peak (between 10 am and 4 pm); Because water, sand, and asphalt reflect sunlight and cause burns.
• wear long-sleeved clothing and sunglasses; To protect from the scorching sun.
• Use a sunscreen, preferably water-resistant, with an SPF of at least 30.

What is the sun protection factor and why is it important?

The sun protection factor (SPF) measures how well a sunscreen is at protecting against the sun’s UV rays, and is based on how long the skin takes to be exposed to the sun’s rays compared to skin that didn’t use sunscreen.

What are the side effects of sunscreen products?

Exposure to direct sunlight for long periods leads to health risks, as the sun’s rays are divided into two types:

• Ultraviolet A (UVA) rays cause aging and facial wrinkles.
• Ultraviolet B (UVB) rays cause skin burns.

Exposure to both types together for a long time causes skin cancer, which is why some people resort to using sunscreen. But there may be some risks from using some products that contain chemicals that may harm health, such as:

• Oxybenzone, which some studies have found makes little change when used on cells in the lab, but studies have not shown that these changes can cause cancer.
• Retinyl palmitate, which leads to a slight change in cells inside the body when exposed to ultraviolet sunlight, but studies have not proven that this change causes cancer.
• Parabens, which some studies have found may lead to breast cancer.

How to prepare a natural sunscreen at home

There are many recipes that can be prepared at home, but few of them protect well from ultraviolet radiation that causes skin cancer, and among these recipes:

Natural sunscreen with aloe vera gel and coconut oil

the components:

• A quarter cup of coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons of zinc powder
• A quarter cup of pure aloe vera gel
• 25 drops of walnut essential oil (for scent)
• 1 cup or less shea butter (to help spread)

How to prepare:

1. Mix all the ingredients together except for the zinc powder and aloe vera gel. The mixture is placed on a medium heat until it blends together
2. Leave the mixture for several minutes to cool, then add aloe vera gel
3. Leave the mixture to cool completely before adding the zinc powder, and stir the whole mixture together to ensure that the zinc is spread throughout the mixture

Natural sunscreen from natural oils

the components:

• Half a cup of olive oil
• A quarter cup of coconut
• A quarter cup of beeswax
• 2 tablespoons of zinc oxide
• 1 tablespoon red raspberry seed oil (optional)
• 1 tablespoon carrot seed oil (optional)
• 2 tablespoons shea butter (optional)

How to prepare:

1. Mix all ingredients together except zinc oxide in a large glass bowl
2. Fill a medium pot with a little water and place over medium heat
3. Place a lid on the glass container that holds the ingredients, and place it in the water
4. Shake the glass bowl to mix the ingredients until they dissolve
5. When all the ingredients are dissolved, add the zinc powder and transfer the mixture to a storage container
6. The mixture is stirred several times to ensure that the zinc is spread throughout the mixture, and kept at room temperature or in the refrigerator to ensure a longer shelf life

What is the best sunscreen to use?

Natural sunscreens have the advantage of blocking UV rays more quickly than chemical sunscreens. This is because natural sunscreen contains minerals, unlike chemical sunscreen ingredients that contain other substances.

There are also special types that depend on the type of skin. It is important to know the type of skin; To determine the best type to use, find out more details: The best sunscreen according to your skin type

In the end, the use of sunscreen or sunblock is one of the most important reasons to preserve the skin and protect the body from harmful sunlight that may cause cancer. Therefore, it is preferable to use it when exposed to the scorching sun, especially the natural sunscreen that carries minerals that invade the body better than the chemical sunscreen.