Image Map

June 7, 2011

{Sista Speaks} 100% #NaturalHair Sunscreen

Let me tell you that I have found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow! And because I love my readers, (don't forget to love me back by following) I am going to tell this little secret like I'm selling it to People Magazine! If you are tired of purchasing sunscreen, this is for you! Do you have a skin disease, i.e. eczema, psoriasis, then this is for you! Could you hair benefit from Vitamins E, A as well as omega 3 and 6? Well then, allow me to introduce you to Red Raspberry Seed Oil! Carrot Seed Oil! and Wheat Germ Oil!

The best discoveries are by mistake! Initially I was looking for a homemade sunscreen recipe for my hair. I want to get into the habit of making things at home because I wont have the same luxuries living abroad. Googling this topic yield several results and recipes that were both simple and grand. Many of the ingredients were organic and then there were some: zinc oxide and titanium oxide that are naturally occurring, but aren't considered "organic." Then, I became more interested in wanting to know the Sun Protection Factor, SPF, of the ingredients and most sunscreen recipes didn't give this information. I wanted to know how long I could stand out in the sun without the sun's rays damaging my hair. I'm sure this will be a revelation for you as it was for me!


Hemp Seed Oil – SPF 6
Macadamia Oil – SPF 6
Sesame Seed Oil SPF 4
Shea Butter – SPF 4
Jojoba Oil – SPF 4
Olive and Coconut Oil – SPF 2
 
   
 
Straight from the heart, I was elated! My current moisturizer is soften Shea butter with olive, coconut and jojoba oil with a few other essential oils. So I've been protecting my strands with natural SPFs and didn't even know it! According to my research, our skin has it's own sun protection factor, but there are several skin types which determine how long you can stay in the sun without burning. Long story short, whatever your time limit is you would be multiple by the SPF # to yield the number of minutes till your next application. For example, if your time till burn is 15 minutes and your lotion has is SPF10, you could hang for 150 minutes. But, considering hair is not like skin, for the purpose of providing an example, I'm going to use a time limit of 10. Therefore, an application of Shea butter provides me with 40 minutes of protection.  
 
Now on to the real excitement! I thought I hit the jackpot when I saw that Macadamia oil provides an hour of protection. At the local grocery store its about $12.00 for an 8 oz jar. Six months ago, I would have stopped mid-research and ran out the house, debit card in tow! But something didn't sit well with me. I just knew that couldn't be the greatest amount of SPF natural products could provide! Then I came across information about the 3 oils listed above, Red Raspberry Seed Oil, Carrot Seed Oil and Wheatgerm Oil. 
 
Can you say...the bomb dot com!  

As reported by Ehow.com

Red Raspberry seeds contain high levels of omega 3 and omega 6 essential fatty acids in addition to antioxidants and natural vitamin E. According to Anthony J. O'Lenick, author of "Oils of Nature," red raspberry seed oil has a natural SPF between 28 and 50 and may also contain clinically significant anti-inflammatory properties.
280 to 500 minutes or 4.40 to 8.20 hours

Carrot seed oil is an essential oil with significant antioxidant, antiseptic and fragrant properties with high levels of vitamin A. When applied topically to the skin in the form of a diluted carrier oil, carrot seed oil also provides natural sun protection. Products containing carrot seed oil have a natural SPF of 38 and 40.
380 to 400 minutes or 6.20 to 6.40 hours

Wheat germ is one of the best sources of natural vitamin E and is also a good source of vitamin K, B vitamins and choline. When applied to the skin, wheat germ oil helps to moisturize tissues and acts as an antioxidant to prevent free radical damage. In a study published in "Pharmacognosy Magazine" in 2009, a sunscreen comprised of wheatgerm and vitamin E had a natural SPF rating of 20.
200 minutes or 3.20 hours



Read more: Natural Oils That Contain SPF
eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/list_7557101_natural-oils-contain-spf.html#ixzz1Odreyy5A

3 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing! After a bit of a sunburn that I had recently I really should try some of these!



    precious-curls.blogspot.com
    joie-de-vie-blog.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. great post!

    www.curlychellez.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous18/2/13 19:42

      So, do you just use the 3 oils,as a blend for sunscreen? Also, do you use it on your hair?

      Delete

I sincerely appreciate the comments! From one selfless person to another, thank you!