For many years I have preached about the benefits of safe sun exposure. The key word here is safe! And while it has many benefits, sometimes, on occasion, I pull out the homemade sunscreen. Many of you have been asking for a lip sunscreen with SPF, so I finally got to work in the kitchen and came up with one.
Why you shouldn’t (and should) use lip sunscreen
I’m not normally a fan of sunscreen for a few reasons. We need the sun to produce the hormone vitamin D, have a strong immune system, regulate hormones and much more. Even something seemingly as simple as sunglasses can interfere with that signaling by blocking light receptors in the eyes.
Most of the time I seek shade or cover up once my body has received enough sun during the day. While I think the science is clear about the benefits of the sun, it is also clear that sunburn is harmful! However, if you live in a very sunny climate and spend a lot of time outdoors, on the boat, surfing, etc., 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 your lips. Technically yes, but it can leave a white cast, be difficult to apply, and taste a bit strange. Even if you’re not eating it (even though the ingredients are clean), small amounts of lip balm end up in your mouth. But we probably all knew that kid in elementary school who liked to eat Chapstick…
Mineral lip balm with sun protection ingredients
Many of the store-bought brands use a lot of synthetic ingredients that I really don’t want in my mouth (or my kids’!). Certain UV-blocking ingredients apply gently to the skin and absorb quickly, which sounds great. However, these sunscreen ingredients like oxybenzone and avobenzone are also toxic to coral reefs, which are essential for life in the oceans and on Earth. Not to mention what they do to us once they are absorbed.
Instead, this lip sunscreen uses non-nano, uncoated zinc oxide. It creates a skin barrier and sits on the skin and lips, reflecting UV rays. It is one of the safest UV barriers available. In fact, it is one of only two that the FDA considers safe and effective as a sunscreen. I don’t always agree with the FDA, but I’m with them on this one. Zinc oxide is at 20%, which translates to about 10 SPF when you add up all the ingredients. An SPF of 10 may not seem like much, but it blocks approximately 90% of UV rays.
I also added red raspberry seed oil. It has a light SPF and is full of antioxidants that protect lips from sun damage. You will also find this ingredient in my homemade sunscreen recipe. Shea butter is soft and creamy, nourishes the lips and helps firm the lip balm. Beeswax provides a protective layer on the lips.
Lastly, avocado oil provides the bulk of the lip balm and boosts collagen to prevent weakening of skin cells. Avocado oil also helps calm inflammation, regenerate skin cells, and protect the skin barrier. It is also rich in carotenoids that offer some protection against UV rays.
Tinted Sunscreen Lip Balm
My original sunscreen recipe is white due to zinc oxide. Some people are fine with having a white shade on their lips, but there is an easy solution. You can add iron oxide and/or mica to give it a little color. The mica reflects light so it will give it a little shine.
Iron oxides are natural-identical pigments that give a rich burgundy red color. Oxides that come naturally directly from the soil also contain lead and other heavy metal contaminants. Things I don’t want in a lip balm! That is why iron oxides are now manufactured in a laboratory to be identical to natural ones.
If you don’t have iron oxide on hand, pink kaolin clay offers a similar effect.
Homemade natural lip sunscreen
This smooth and creamy lip sunscreen helps protect lips from UV damage.
Produce: 1.7 ounces
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Add the beeswax, shea butter, and avocado oil to the top of the double boiler or glass bowl. Stir occasionally until melted.
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Turn off the heat and add the raspberry seed oil and essential oils.
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It incorporates the powders: zinc oxide, iron oxide and mica.
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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.
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Once the lip sunscreen is almost cool, but still soft enough to pour, pour the mixture into the containers.
The iron oxide adds a pinkish color and the mica adds a little sparkle. You can use both or neither, but it will be a white shade without iron oxide.
Important note on phototoxic essential oils
Certain essential oils can increase the risk of sunburn and skin damage. Needless to say, they should not be used in lip balms! Phototoxic essential oils include bergamot, lime, lemon and grapefruit. Learn more about this topic here.
More sun protection
Here are more homemade sunscreen recipes, plus information on the pros and cons of sunscreen.
What is your approach to sun exposure? Leave a comment and let us know!
