Sunscreen & Bug Repellent Naturally

Natural Sunscreen

Don’t want to make your own? See the Environmental Working Group suggestions regarding commercial sunscreens.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup almond or olive oil (can infuse with herbs first if desired)
• 1/4 cup coconut oil (natural SPF 4)
• 1/4 cup beeswax 
  
• 2 Tablespoons Zinc Oxide, non-nano version. Do not inhale the powder. (makes SPF of 20+ or more can be added.)
• Optional: up to 1 teaspoon of Red Raspberry Seed Oil or Carrot Seed Oil, Vitamin E oil, 2 tablespoons of  Shea Butter (natural SPF 4-5), essential oils or vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Except for zinc oxide, combine in a pint size glass jar (mason jar).
2. Fill a medium stove pot with 2 inches of water, set a medium heat.
3. Loosely, put lid on jar and place in pot.
4. With heat, the ingredients will melt, stir or shake occasionally during the process. Once completely melted, add zinc oxide and stir in well and then pour into another glass container for storage.
5. As it cools stir to ensure zinc oxide is mixed well into the liquid.
6. Use like normal sunscreen, good for about 6 months (the entire summer season).

Helpful Extras:

• This sunscreen will need to be reapplied after swimming or sweating excessively.  is somewhat, but not completely, waterproof and will need to be reapplied after sweating or swimming
• To increase or decrease SPF from 20, add or use less Zinc Oxide (1tbsp = approximately +10 SPF)
• Too thin or to thick? Adjust the amount of beeswax.
• Optional ingredients suggested provide fragrance
• Store in a cool, dry place or in the fridge
• Note, by not using Zinc Oxide, you convert the recipe into a great lotion. Be sure to use Vitamin E as this very nurturing in a lotion.

Natural Bug Repellent

Don’t want to make your own? See the least toxic commercial bug repellents  from the environmental working group.

Ingredients

• Essential oils,choose one or a combination of  Citronella, Clove, Lemongrass, Rosemary, Tea Tree, Cajeput, Eucalyptus, Cedar, Catnip, Lavender, Mint
• Natural Witch Hazel
• Distilled or boiled Water
• Vegetable glycerin (optional)

1. Fill spray bottle  1/2 full with distilled or boiled water
2. Add witch hazel to fill almost to the top
3. Add 1/2 tsp vegetable glycerin if using
4. Add 30-50 drops of essential oils and the more variety of oils you use, the stronger the spray will be.
5. Quick suggested combination:Rosemary, Clove, Cajeput, Lavender, Cinnamon and Eucalyptus.

 

Care About being Effective, Don’t care about smell? Try this bad boy….Good for Ticks too!

Stinky when wet, less so as it dries but works incredibly well. Ideal when trekking  though the woods or that mosquito infested park or golf course. Most of these ingredients should already be readily available in your kitchen, and very effective. This also know as the “Four Thieves Insect Repellent”.

Ingredients:

• one 32 ounce bottle of Apple Cider Vinegar
• 2 tablespoons of each of dried Sage, Rosemary, Lavender, Thyme and Mint
• At least quart size glass jar with airtight lid

Directions:

1. Put vinegar and herbs into glass jar.
2. Seal tightly and store on counter  (place you will see it daily). For 2 to 3 weeks, shake well daily.
3. Then, strain the herbs out and store in spray bottles or glass bottle(s), place and store the stock solution in a dry cool location, like the fridge or pantry.
4. To use ,dilute the stock solution with half water in a spray bottle and use.

Note: Used for some serious bug control!

I hope you all have a safe and happy summer!

Sincerely,

Derek Cook, Naturopathic Doctor