According to a 2023 research article “Amongst the countless natural oils that have been tested to have UV blocking properties, carrot seed oil (CSO) and raspberry seed oil (RSO) have shown the most promising results”. When added to sunscreen, both oils were shown to enhance the UV protective properties of the sunscreen (1).
"I always, always use a Zinc over my Winter or Summer Everywhere skin treatments. Even in Winter. With this recipe, you get the benefit of a Skin Oil + a Zinc in one."
Ingredients
- 1/4 Cup Raspberry Seed Oil - a heat stable oil that functions both as a chemical and physical UVA and UVB protector, and a potential broad spectrum SPF ranging between 28-50. (2) Ingredient also in Summer Everywhere.
- 1 Teaspoon Carrot Seed Oil - contains a high antioxidant content, including Betacaroten and Vitamin E. (1)
- 2 Tablespoons Aloe Vera Gel
- 3 Tablespoons Cacao Butter or Shea Butter
- 1/2 teaspoon Chamomile Essential Oil - shown to have comparative anti-inflammatory effects to corticosteroids in soothing eczema and sunburn (4) Ingredient also in Winter Everywhere.
- 1/4 cup Beeswax Pellets
- 3 Tablespoon Zinc Oxide Powder - an FDA approved UV protective ingredient, considered safe for use at up to 25%
Where to find these ingredients.
You can find all of these ingredients easily on Amazon, or at most organic or wholefoods stores, or cheaper and in bigger bulk at online cosmetic suppliers in Australia.
Method
Add beeswax pellets to a heat proof jar and heat slowly until melted by placing it in a pan with warm water on the stove.
Combine all other ingredients in the bowl except zinc oxide. Don’t overheat as it will damage the antioxidants in the formula.
Add the zinc oxide and stir in so it’s evenly distributed.
Leave aside to cool.
What you'll get is a delicious smelling, light and easy to apply paste!
Modifications
This mixture is really easy to modify.
- You can increase the SPF by adding more Zinc Oxide. Do not use more than 25% of the mixture.
- You can make it more of a spray by using more aloe vera and removing the beeswax and shea butter.
- If you’re very acne prone, then swap out the Cacao Butter for Shea Butter.
- If you prefer the mixture without the Zinc Oxide, you can remove it. The Raspberry and Carrot oils will still provide antioxidant protection and a very low SPF.
Please note this article is not to be used as medical information, it has been written for educational and entertainment purpose only. As a homemade recipe, there's no way of accurately determining the SPF level. We do not advocate for the use of homemade sunscreen over TGA certified SPFs.
Written by Ingrid van den Berg, Founder of Radical Botanics.
References
- Siddique, I, “The Effect of the Addition of Carrot Seed Oil and Raspberry Seed Oil on the UV Intensity of a Sunscreen” - Junior Academy Research Article 2023, https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1289&context=jscas
- Oomah & Ladet - “Characteristics of raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) seed oil” - Food Chemistry, 2000, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0308814699002605
- Kim, KB. Kim, YW. Lim, SK. Et al, “Risk assessment of zinc oxide, a cosmetic ingredient used as a UV filter of sunscreens” - Journal of Toxicology Environmental Health 2017, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28509652/4.
- Ferreira & Vasques - “Topical effects of Chamomilla Recutita in skin damage: A literature review” - Pharmacologyonline, 2015.