Homemade Sunscreen for Dark Skin Without White Cast
Discover how to make a homemade all-natural sunscreen lotion specifically designed for dark skin. Say goodbye to heavy formulas and white casts with our easy recipe for a perfect sunscreen that blends seamlessly into your skin.
Overview
Individuals in the range of brown to black skin tone and complexion face unique challenges when it comes to sunscreen or sunblock in skincare products. Many sunscreens and sunblock are made with formulations that can leave white cast after applying on the skin. If you try to go for tinted sunscreens then the shade may not match your skin complexion. Some organic UV filters used in sunscreen may be carcinogenic and pose health risk over long term use.
Many dark skinned individuals can also sometimes neglect their skin due to undetected tanning and sunburns. It is true that dark skin has higher melanin that can prevent them from sun damage especially photo-aging, but exposing your skin to harmful sunrays for longer periods of time can lead to hyperpigmentation, skin wrinkling and worse enough increase chances of skin cancer. If you find it hard to get a sunscreen or for one reason or the other don't trust the sun care brands then join me and make your own!
Why Natural Sunscreen?
There are many reasons as to why as you might need to make your own sunscreen that is natural and can full fill your skincare needs. The following are concerns to consider
Carcinogenic ingredients: Many sunscreens that are marketed to dark skin individuals may contain organic UV filters that are dangerous even hazardous to your skin and overall health. Many of this non-mineral filters are absorbed by the skin and into the blood stream that can pose a concern. Ingredients like octinoxate, oxybenzone and homosalate have been reported to be causative agents to skin cancer.
Hormonal disruptors: Many sunscreen ingredients also have been analyzed to cause disruption of hormones in humans. As you already know, many formulations catering to dark skin may contain these ingredients since they don't leave a cast off upon applying. Non-mineral filters such as avobenzone or homosalate have been reported to be problematic.
Skin allergy concerns: Many sunscreens and sunblocks may contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide nanoparticles or UV filters that have caused skin concerns like contact dermatitis and myriad of skin allergic reactions, making your own sunscreen may be the solution you need.
White cast on the skin: If you want sunscreen SPF 50+ then its unlikely to get a sunscreen formulation that is non-mineral which won't leave a whitish layer on your skin. This can be frustrating to look for brand that suit dark skin. Creating your own skin safe formulation can help your skin without having unflattering effect.
Environmental issues: Many of these sunscreen ingredients have been found to be toxic to environment especially aquatic life when washed off to natural water features. If you care for the environment from the depth of your heart then creating an eco-friendly sunscreen can be part of saving the planet.
If you already read this post till now then you will like to read another very related post like this one
Read More: Misconceptions And Myths About Sunblock/Sunscreen In Skincare
Selecting Ingredients
Distilled water: Whenever you need to create a skincare formulation, using safe and sterilized water is a must. You can't use bottled drinking water or tap water because they're prone to mineral traces and microbiomes. Using tap water can foster bacterial growth in your formulation and make your sunscreen lotion less desirable, reducing its shelf life.
Red raspberry seed oil: This oil has been proven to contain fatty acids, vitamin A, E and other anti-oxidants which can help your skin to be protected by UVA and UVB rays. It is a broad spectrum natural sunscreen ingredient. Its SPF can reach to 35+ for high quality oil. Find organic certified version of red raspberry seed oil so that it can have more benefits for the skin.
Aloe vera gel: This ingredient is very excellent humectant to include in your sunscreen lotion formulation. Aloe vera gel has anti-inflammatory and hydrating properties which are going to help your skin stay hydrated not only provide UV protection. It leaves no residue or white cast.
Micronized zinc oxide: It is another yet important ingredient in this sunscreen lotion. It is skin safe and can be well-tolerated by skin concerns with rosacea, acne or eczema. It is safe for young kids too. It is used in a smaller percentage to a void white cast for your dark skin.
Triglyceride: It is fatty acid derived from palm or coconut oil. It is a nice addition to the sunscreen lotion formulation. It is an excellent emollient that can support the skin to be soft and supple. Triglycerides are hypoallergenic, making them a non-issue to anyone with skim concern such as psoriasis, eczema or rosacea.
Polysorbate 60: In order to make an emulsion especially when making lotions, this is an ingredient to consider. Polysorbate 60 act as an emulsifier to bind oil phase ingredients such as red raspberry oil and water phase ingredients such as aloe vera gel together in making this sunscreen lotion formulation.
Cetyl alcohol: This gentle fatty acid derived from coconut fatty alcohol has moisturizing properties to the skin. They can act as a thickener or carrier for other ingredients. This alcohol is beneficial to the skin and considered generally safe thus it has been added to this sunscreen lotion formulation.
Vitamin E acetate: This is a very stable form of vitamin E usually used in various cosmetic formulations. In this sunscreen lotion formulation it is going to be used as part of UV protection ingredient due to its anti-oxidant properties that can fight off free radicals and lipid peroxidation of the skin cells.
Sorbitol: It is the type of water-soluble ingredient that bind moisture to skin and increase stability to your sunscreen lotion formulation. It is a type of sugar that has a very sweet taste and usually added to lip care but also other skincare formulations.
Sorbitan stereate: A derivative of sorbitol, this ingredient acts as a good emulsifier and help to make the texture of your sunscreen lotion more creamy. Another function of sorbitan stereate is that it can play part as a stabilizer in your skincare formulation that's why we've added it to sunscreen lotion formulation.
Xanthan gum: It is another thickening agent that can make emulsions stable and enhance textures of formulations. Xanthan gum has been included in this sunscreen lotion formulation to make it less runny and of good texture.
Essential oil or fragrance oil: You can always use fragrance oil to enhance the scent of your sunscreen lotion formulation. Essential oils too can have many benefits for instance carrot seed oil can be very beneficial since it has UV protection.
EDTA (tetrasodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid tetrasodium salt): It is a good chelating agent that can bind with metal ions and free radicals preventing them from harming your skin. EDTA can also help to reduce chances of clogging pores in the skin. EDTA has been known to be among safe ingredients so far, a better choice to be added in this sunscreen formulation.
Ingredients
10⅗ tablespoons of distilled water
1⅔ tablespoons of red raspberry seed oil
1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel
2½ teaspoons of micronized zinc oxide
2 teaspoons of triglyceride
1½ teaspoon of polysorbate 60
1¼ teaspoon of cetyl alcohol
1 teaspoon of vitamin E acetate
1 teaspoon of sorbitol
¾ teaspoon of sorbitan stereate
¼ teaspoon of xanthan gum
15 drops of fragrance or essential oil (optional)
⅛ teaspoon of EDTA
Remember to gather your ingredients and tools such as blender, mixing bowl, saucepan, glass measuring cups, measuring spoons, designated sanitized pump bottle and kitchen thermometer. Now you can get ready and prepare a space for making your sunscreen lotion.
Instructions
You can cover your head, wear apron and gloves as part of your formulation preparation. This will ensure high level of sanitation. Now with no further ado let's start!
Begin making your formulation by heating up distilled water in a heat-resistant measuring cup placed inside a saucepan with few inches of water, creating a water bath for heating your distilled water but not to a boiling point.
Turn on low heat on saucepan till the distilled water is heated not boiling, turn off the stove.
Sprinkle xanthan gum in the distilled water and stir well. Later, add your EDTA to the mix, continue stirring consistently.
Then add aloe vera gel and sorbitol to the mixture in the distilled water and stir again.
Meanwhile get another glass measuring cup and add red raspberry seed oil, micronized zinc oxide, triglyceride, sorbitan stereate, polysorbate 60, vitamin E acetate and cetyl alcohol. Create another water bath by adding few inches of water in a saucepan then placing this glass measuring cup in. Put your saucepan on stove top and turn on the heat. Heat it to 150 to 160 Fahrenheit. Stir well the mixture.
If the temperature of the first measuring cup has dropped re-heat again in a water bath to 150 to 160 Fahrenheit. These two measuring cups have to have same temperature. Use your kitchen thermometer to measure your mixtures.
Get the heatproof glass mixing bowl and pour contents of these two measuring cups in the bowl. Use a hand-held blender on low to medium speed till the mixture is homogeneous and creamy. Cool the to 100 Fahrenheit (38 to 40 Celsius).
Add your favorite fragrance or essential oil of your choice, drop by drop and stir again with hand-held blender.
Pour your mixture in a well-sanitized pump bottle.
Your sunscreen lotion is ready for use!
How to Use All-Natural Sunscreen Lotion
After creating your sunscreen then you can benefit from using it regular as part of your consistent skincare routine. This sunscreen lotion can provide UV protection in UVA and UVB sun rays range. Adding more micronized zinc oxide can increase its SPF range.
After applying other skincare products in your morning routine, then layer your sunscreen lotion, without leaving you with white cast on your skin!
Re-apply your sunscreen lotion every two hours.
Remember to wear sunglasses, carry umbrella during sunny days and wear hats and stay out of the sun whenever possible.
You'll also need this sunscreen lotion on your trip to beach and much more during the summer time.
This skincare product is for external purposes only.
About me
Hello, my dear gorgeous! Welcome to my blog and learn with me as you walk in your skincare journey. I'm skincare enthusiast and a student. I like sharing my passion of beauty and skincare with the world. I like blogging, reading and binge watching YouTube vlogs and Netflix during my leisure time.
