There's a stupid homemade sunscreen recipe going around Pinterest that I've been shaking my head at. I considered linking to it, but I don't want to drive any traffic that way (you know how influential I am). It involves combining zinc oxide powder with coconut oil and shea butter and includes all the usual nonsense about "natural" and "toxins" and "chemicals". Not getting into how empty all of those words are (what makes zinc oxide "natural" and not a "chemical?) - look, the other "chemicals" in commercial sunscreen are there to stabilize the mixture and make it apply evenly and all that crap. They are supposed to be chemicals that don't interfere with the effectiveness of the sunscreen. Most importantly, when you make your own, you have no fucking idea what the SPF is. Trust me, these recipes typically don't include any scientific rationale behind their proportions whatsoever.
I mean, it's not like zinc oxide is something that you just have lying around the house. If you're going to buy that on Amazon, just buy some fucking sunscreen on Amazon. If you want a simple zinc oxide sunscreen, there are dozens out there, or hundreds, or thousands. I can't recommend one, because zinc oxide makes me break out. Google it, though, if you want some. They are required to test them on humans to make sure they actually have the SPF they claim to have.
If you want to make your own sunscreen, then whatever. Good luck. Why not make your own antidepressants while you're at it?
There is a legitimate distinction to be made between so-called "chemical" sunscreens (avobenzone, homosalate, oxybenzone, etc.) and mineral sunblocks like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Of course, it isn't that one is chemical and artificial and the other natural and good, but rather that they protect from the sun through different mechanisms. "Chemical" sunscreens protect skin from the sun because they convert harmful solar radiation into other forms of energy. Mineral sunblocks, on the other hand, physically block and scatter those same rays rather than making them harmless through a chemical reaction.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, the "chemicals-are-the-problem" crew seems to have twisted this into another nature vs. science narrative. In reality, whether one prefers chemical or mineral sunscreens mostly comes down to personal sensitivity -- I happen to be allergic to most chemical sunscreens but tolerate minerals fine (except for the deathly white pallor). Either way, though, this is definitely a case where formulation should be left to the experts!!
I'm into diy as much as the next person, but this does not seem like a good idea at all. And people who flip out over chemicals make do the biggest eyeroll. Obviously no one wants anything harmful in the products they use but come on, water is a fucking chemical! Just because something is a chemical doesn't mean it's some sort of hazardous substance.
ReplyDeleteI'm the same way. I love making face masks and hair treatments and stuff, but when it comes to things like skin cancer and all that jazz, I'll buy the stuff that professionals make that works, thank you very much. Pretty sure whatever is in commercial sunscreen is going to cause you a lot less problems (if any) than overexposure to sun.
DeleteOmfg I cackled so loudly. That is one of those things I wont fuck around with. If it comes down to that wear full coverage clothes and hats etc.
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