Carrier Oils For Sun Protection
There’s no denying that sun exposure is vitally important for our health. This is a subject covered in the article Why Do We Need Sunlight?, which lists all of the vitally important reasons why sun exposure is so necessary for the proper function of our bodies.
However, there are also potential hazards attached to sun bathing, and summer outdoor activities, several of which we are often unaware of. The article Natural Ways Of Avoiding Sunburn reveals some of the lesser known reasons why sun exposure can be dangerous. These include, the consumption of Linoleic Acid, the omega-6 fat that is so prevalent in our Western diet, and the use of commercial sunscreens, many of which can cause skin cancer.
Carrier Oils For Sun Protection has been written in an effort to provide safe alternatives to carcinogenic commercial sun creams. Thankfully, there are a good number of carrier oils which provide UV, (ultraviolet), protection / sun protection, with no negative side effects.
This article lists the best carrier oils for sun protection available.
While chemicals can protect us from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays, research strongly suggests that at certain exposure levels, some of the chemicals in some sunscreen products may cause cancer in people.
Breastcancer.org
Carrier Oils for UV Protection
There are several carrier oils for UV protection that can be used on their own to good effect. One of the most versatile, Raspberry Seed Oil, is not only suitable for facial and bodily application, but also ticks many other boxes. It is:
- Affordable
- Ultra-absorbent
- Doesn’t leave a greasy residue
- No discernable aroma, although the Wild As The Wind Organic Raspberry Seed Oil does smell like fresh Raspberries.
- Blends well with other carrier oils and essential oils
- Minimal risk of allergic reaction, unlike nut oils
But there are other UV protective carrier oils which are also important, and may be preferable for a number of different applications.
Organic Pomegranate Seed Oil is a lot more viscous than most oils, making it a great choice for blending with Raspberry Seed Oil, and others, to extend the time each application of sun protective oil will last.
And, some sun protective carrier oils offer reasonably unique benefits…
Organic Marula Oil is one such oil, with an antioxidant profile that far exceeds many other oils, making it excellent for facial applications. Organic Broccoli Seed Oil is another, as it acts as a natural silicone and contains sulforaphane, which protects against UV light and environmental damage.
These oils, and Organic Rosehip Seed Oil for after sun regeneration, are covered in more detail below.
Natural Sun Protection
Using carrier oils for natural sun protection has many benefits, especially when using them in combination with the essential oils listed below.
As commercial creams present so many risks, the decision to use a natural sun protection alternative, is an easy one to make.
But, the ancillary benefits of using carrier oils and essential oils for your natural sun protection, are also incredibly compelling.
You are advised to read the individual product profile pages of the oils you are interested in to determine the many additional benefits of the oils. But, here’s a few of the key additional benefits you can expect:
- Improved emotional health
- Reduction in travel sickness
- Scar and wound healing
- Improved skin condition
- General health improvements
Essential Oils For Sun Protection
According to the National Library of Medicine, there are several essential oils which possess an SPF value. So, including some of these oils in your sun protection oil, will not just be for aromatic purposes.
Peppermint Essential Oil has an SPF of 7
Lavender Essential Oil has an SPF of 6
Sweet Orange Essential Oil has an SPF of 4
Peppermint Essential Oil also has a cooling effect on the skin, which maybe desirable, especially for those who work outside in the summer months.
Ylang Ylang Essential Oil may also help protect skin from the harmful effects of the sun. According to a comprehensive analysis of the traditional health benefits of Ylang Ylang Essential Oil, published on the NCBI health portal, a US government website, Organic Ylang Ylang Essential Oil possesses antimelanogenesis activities.
This effectively means that Ylang Ylang Essential Oil reduces the pigmentation of the skin through the production of melanin. Whilst desirable to many, the browning of our skin is indicative of a losing battle against the harmful effects of sun exposure.
Wild As The Wind offer a pre-blended Sun Tanning Essential Oil Blend to add to your sun protection carrier oils of choice. The essential oils in this blend provide supplemental sun protection to the UV protective carrier oils, alongside a slew of other dermal benefits. In addition, they smell amazing!
Sun Tanning Essential Oil Blend
The Sun Tanning Essential Oil Blend is a combination of four aromatherapy oils:
Organic Lavender Essential Oil: SPF value of 6, and excellent for burns.
Organic Sweet Orange Essential Oil: SPF value of 4, and profoundly antioxidant. (Organic Sweet Orange Essential Oil is NOT phototoxic like Lemon and Lime Oils etc.)
Organic Geranium Rose Essential Oil: excellent wound healing aromatherapy oil.
Organic Palmarosa Essential Oil: has skin cell regenerative properties, and smells amazing.
Wild As The Wind provide this pre-blended Sun Tanning Essential Oil Blend to reduce the cost of making your sun protection oil, and to make the process easier for you.
Organic Marula Oil
Organic Marula Oil is perhaps the best oil to add to facial oils for added sun protection. It can also be used undiluted.
According to WebMD, Organic Marula Oil prevents damage from sun and environment:
The sun’s ultraviolet rays along with high amounts of pollution in the environment cause skin damage, according to dermatologist Hadley King, MD. By using an oil such as marula oil, you can better combat these elements.1
Organic Broccoli Seed Oil
Organic Broccoli Seed Oil can be used for face and body, and is best diluted with other oils. This is due to the fact that it is quite an aromatic oil.
It is particularly advised for use in combination with Organic Sun Tanning Essential Oil Blend.
The following research paper supports the use of Organic Broccoli Seed Oil for sun protection.
Sulforaphane mobilizes cellular defenses that protect skin against damage by UV radiation1
PubMed
As Organic Broccoli Seed Oil is variously antioxidant, anti-ageing, antifungal, sun-protective, anti-allergic, wound-healing and anti-inflammatory, the addition of this oil to your sun protection oil blend is a very good idea.
Use up to 30% Organic Broccoli Seed Oil in your sun protection oil blend.
Organic Pomegranate Seed Oil
Organic Pomegranate Seed Oil is reputed to possess an SPF of 8.
catechin and ellagic acid from pomegranate seed oil show to inhibit markers for UVB-induced skin damage2
Organic Pomegranate Seed Oil is known to stimulate keratinocytes, which are the cells found in the outer layer of the skin. This has a really positive effect on reviving damaged skin, helping to restore health and reverse the appearance of dermal damage.
Because it is rich in vitamin C, Organic Pomegranate Seed Oil it is deeply antioxidant. This means that it helps to neutralise free radicals and increase nutrient absorption. This, in turn, helps to accelerate dermal cellular regeneration, giving it a more youthful appearance.
Pomegranate Seed Oil is ideal for all skin types, and is suitable for facial application when diluted with other carrier oils.
Use up to 30% Organic Pomegranate Seed Oil in your sun protection oil blend.
Raspberry Seed Oil
Cold Pressed Raspberry Seed Oil is one of the best carrier oils to use for sun protection. This is partly due to the reasons listed above, but also because many believe it offers the highest level of protection against the damaging effects of the sun.
The fairer your skin, the more Raspberry Seed Oil you’ll want in your mix. However, adding a certain amount of Organic Pomegranate Seed Oil is always advisable.
For those who wish to have a fantastic sheen from their sun protection oil, then adding a little Organic Broccoli Seed Oil would be ideal.
Wild As The Wind also stock a fantastic Organic Raspberry Seed Oil.
Organic Rosehip Seed Oil
Organic Rosehip Seed Oil is considered the best after sun oil available. It is incredibly nutrient dense, and deeply anti-ageing. Organic Rosehip Seed Oil helps to replace the moisture lost during sun exposure.
Adding essential oils known to be good for healing burns, like Organic Lavender Essential Oil and Organic German Chamomile Essential Oil, will super-charge the after sun effects of Organic Rosehip Seed Oil.
Scientific Sources:
National Library of Medicine: 1. In vitro sun protection factor determination of herbal oils used in cosmetics
Science Direct: 2. Use of various vegetable oils in designing photoprotective nanostructured formulations for UV protection and antioxidant activity
Oohman et al (2000): Characteristics of Raspberry Seed Oil. Food Chemistry: 69 & 187 – 193: http://mail.lotioncrafter.com/reference/oomah.pdf