7 Sun Protection Tips PLUS Natural Sunscreen Lotion Recipe

I would like to share with you our seven sun protection tips as well as highlight the importance of omega-3 fatty acids and how to protect yourself from skin cancer by eating raw vegan foods. At he end you will learn how to make natural sun screen lotion. 

As some of you may not know yet, we moved from London, England to Australia in August 2013. As you can imagine, the climate is very different to the UK and many locals have mentioned to us to be extremely careful about the strong sun.

I’m a big advocate of ‘our’ Sun not being that harmful. If the sun wasn’t here, none of us would even exist. We are very aware of the ozone however; I really believe that you can help your body with your wise living lifestyle, not just following all the advertisements on sunscreen lotions which are particularly the main sun protection tool. Just read the ‘chemical cocktail’ on the sunscreen lotion bottle. Do you really want to put this on your major organ – skin? I personally believe that the sunscreen lotions (well the toxic ingredients in them) significantly contribute to developing skin cancer! Please, consider using natural sunscreen instead.

A new review of the medical literature indicates that omega-3 fatty acids can protect the skin from the inflammatory response caused after sun exposure and that these acids can reduce the risk of non-melanoma skin cancer.

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston Texas analyzed human and animal studies conducted over the past 15 years on the effect of fish oil or fish consumption on sun damage and sun exposure. Their findings indicated that omega-3 fatty acids have an important role to play in reducing the damaging effects of sunburn.

In experimental animal studies, the reviewers noted, there is direct evidence that dietary omega-3 fatty acids inhibit the cancerous changes that occur after ultraviolet radiation, including decreasing tumor growth and reducing tumors’ ability to multiply. However, equivalent levels of omega-6 fatty acids increase the cancerous changes that occur after exposure to ultraviolet radiation. In mice and in human skin exposed to ultraviolet B radiation, dietary omega-3 fatty acids dramatically reduce levels of prostaglandin E synthase type 2 (PGE(2)), an inflammatory messenger chemical that suppresses immune response to pre-cancerous cell changes. Dietary omega-6 fatty acids increase levels of PGE(2). In humans, omega-3 fatty acids also increase the time it takes to become sunburned, the review concluded.

The review authors also outlined the negative effects of omega-6 fatty acids, which, when consumed in large quantities act as pro-inflammatory substances. Omega-6 fatty acids are found in margarine, vegetable oils such as corn oil, sunflower oil, and salad dressings. Americans consume omega-6 fatty acids in amounts 20 to 40 times too high compared to their omega-3 intake. There are a number of good fish oils on the market, but one of the best new ways to get omega-3 polyunsaturated fats is from krill oil.

7 Sun Protection Tips PLUS Natural Sunscreen Lotion Recipe

If you are a raw vegan foodist you probably don’t want to consume fish oil. So how we can protect ourselves?

Here are 7 sun protection tips :

1. Eat Well – Eating foods rich in healthy fats and antioxidants helps protect your skin from damage, including UV damage. That means you should aim eating raw vegan foods and focus on dark, colorful fruits and vegetables that contain carotenoids and other powerful antioxidants. Also eat nuts, seeds, coconut oil, avocados, and microalgae for the best omega fatty acids and even some healthy saturated fats. Carotenoids give your skin a healthy bronze glow even without sunlight while making sure you burn less often. There are great omega-3 fatty acids from plant based sources such as hemp seeds, marine phytoplankton, chia seeds, flax seeds etc.
2. Clothing – Clothes are the best sun protection. They absorb or reflect sunlight and keep your skin safe. After your initial twenty minutes or so, put some clothes on. Choose white clothing to reflect more light and keep you cooler.
3. Red Raspberry Seed Oil – This is one of the best seed-oil sunscreens. It averages between 28-50 SPF and blocks the troublesome UVB rays.
4. Carrot Seed Oil – Carrot seed oil may be a little harder to find, but it boasts 38-40 SPF and has some good carotenoid antioxidant action going on too.
5. Hemp seed oil – SPF between 4-10
6. Sesame Oil – Sesame oil blocks 30% of sunlight, letting you stay in the sun longer without burning. Apply it every hour or two if you will be out much longer.
7. Coconut Oil – Coconut oil blocks about 20% of the sun’s rays. That means you can enjoy the sun 20% longer than normal without getting burned. You are more likely to tan and keep your tan with coconut oil. It also moisturizes skin, lessens inflammation, and smooths out blemishes while it limits solar damage. Coconut oil works even more if you take it internally too. It fights inflammation from the inside and contributes to the healthy production of vitamin D.

You can make your own natural sun screen lotion using this recipe:

2 tablespoons of coconut oil
1 tablespoon Shea butter ( ivory-colored fat extracted from the nut of the African shea tree)
½ teaspoon aloe vera gel
½ teaspoon sesame oil/almond oil or any other oil you like
½ teaspoon carrot seed oil/red raspberry seed oil/hemp oil

Directions: Melt the shea butter and add the coconut oil. Stir well until the oils combine and the coconut oil melts as well. Add other oils and mix well. Use glass jar to keep the sun screen oil in a dark place or in the fridge.

These oils are the base for your natural organic sun screen lotion and have a shelf life approximately 3 months. The SPF is approximately between 15-20 . You can increase SPF by adding 2 teaspoons of zinc oxide.

TIP: I would also add 1/2 teaspoon of raw cacao powder. You’ll get nice brownish colour of your sun screen oil with beautiful smell 🙂

Use this natural sunscreen lotion before you go out and remember it is not waterproof so make sure to apply natural sunscreen lotion after every swimming session.

Source of the mentioned clinical study:

Black HS, Rhodes LE. The potential of omega-3 fatty acids in the prevention of non-melanoma skin cancer. Cancer Detect Prev. 2006;30(3):224-32.