I have been preaching the benefits of safe tanning for many years now. The key word here is safe! And even though it has many benefits, sometimes, I will break out the homemade sunscreen. Many of you have asked for a lip balm with SPF, so I ended up working in the kitchen and came up with one.
Why You Shouldn’t (and Should) Use Lip Sunscreen
I’m not a fan of sunscreen for a few reasons. We need the sun to make the hormone vitamin D, have a strong immune system, regulate hormones, and much more. Even something as simple as sunglasses can interfere with that signaling by blocking the light receptors in the eyes.
Most of the time I will look for shade or hide when my body has had enough sun for the day. While I think the science is clear on the benefits of the sun, it’s also clear that sunburns are harmful! However, if you live in a really sunny area and are outside a lot, out on a boat, surfing, etc., then sunscreen can sometimes be helpful.
My homemade sunscreen recipe is a fan favorite, but many of you have asked if it can be used on the lips. Technically yes, but it can leave whites, be difficult to use, and taste kind of funky. Even if you don’t eat it (the ingredients are clean though), small amounts of lip balm still end up in the mouth. But we probably all knew that one kid in grade school who likes to eat Chapstick…
Mineral Lip Balm and Sunscreen Ingredients
Most store-bought products use tons of artificial ingredients that I really don’t want in my mouth (or my kids’!). Certain UV-blocking ingredients penetrate the skin well and absorb quickly, which feels good. However, these sunscreen ingredients like oxybenzone and avobenzone are also toxic to coral reefs, which are vital to marine life and life on Earth. Not to mention what they do to us when they are drunk.
This lip sunscreen instead uses non-nano and uncoated zinc oxide. It creates a skin barrier and sits on top of the skin/lips, reflecting UV rays. It is one of the safest UV barriers out there. In fact, it is one of only two products that the FDA considers safe and effective in sunscreen. I don’t always agree with the FDA, but I’m with them on this one. Zinc oxide is 20%, which means about 10 SPF when you combine all the ingredients. 10 SPF may not sound like a lot, but it blocks almost 90% of UV rays.
I also added red raspberry seed oil. It has a low SPF and is full of antioxidants that protect lips from sun damage. You will find this ingredient in my homemade sunscreen recipe. Shea butter is smooth and creamy, nourishes the lips, and helps strengthen the lip balm. Beeswax provides a protective layer over the lips.
Finally, avocado oil provides a rich lip balm and supports collagen to prevent weakened skin cells. Avocado oil also helps calm inflammation, regenerate skin cells, and protect the skin barrier. It is also rich in carotenoids that provide UV ray protection.
Tinted Sunscreen Lip Balm
My first sunscreen recipe is white because of the zinc oxide. Some people are fine with putting white on their lips, but there is an easy fix. You can add iron oxide and/or mica to give it a little color. Mica reflects light so it will lighten it up a bit.
Iron oxides are natural pigments that lend a red, burgundy color. Oxides that naturally come straight into the soil also come with lead and other heavy metal contaminants. Things I don’t want in a lipstick! That’s why iron oxides are now being made in the lab to match nature.
If you don’t have iron oxide on hand, rose kaolin clay gives the same effect.
DIY Natural Lip Sunscreen
This smooth and creamy sunscreen helps protect lips from UV damage.
Reveal: 1.7 ounces
-
Add beeswax, shea butter, and avocado oil to the top of a double boiler or glass bowl. Stir occasionally until dissolved.
-
Turn off the heat and add the raspberry oil and essential oils.
-
Apply powders: zinc oxide, iron oxide, and mica.
-
Remove from heat and stir occasionally as it cools. The powders will want to sink to the bottom so they will need to stay mixed.
-
When the lip sunscreen has cooled enough, but is still soft enough to pour, pour the mixture into your containers.
The iron oxide adds a pink color and the mica adds a little sparkle. You can use both or neither, but it will have a white cast without iron oxide.
An Important Note on Essential Oils
Certain essential oils can increase the risk of sunburn and skin damage. Needless to say, they should not be used for lip balm! Phototoxic essential oils include bergamot, lime, lemon, and grapefruit. Read more about this topic here.
More Sun Protection
Here are some DIY sunscreen recipes, as well as information on the pros and cons of sunscreen.
What is your method of sun exposure? Leave a comment and let us know!
