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SUNSCREEN LOTIONS
A good sunscreen has two purposes. To begin with, it helps the skin maintain its natural oils and moisture, which can be lost through exposure to the sun's radiation. Secondly, sunscreen also protects the skin against UVA and UVB rays, whose damaging effects have increased markedly with the reduction of the atmosphere's ozone layer. Sunlight causes skin pigment cells, called melanocytes to synthesize increased amounts of melanin, giving the skin a protective pigment, or tan. But, while increased melanin can act as a natural filter to keep harmful ultraviolet radiation from penetrating further into the skin, using sunscreen with a high SPF (sun protection factor) is still important, especially if you are fair-skinned or have a family history of skin cancer.
NO SUCH THING AS A SAFE TAN
To protect your skin from harmful UVA radiation, use a suntan lotion with a high sun protection factor. Lotions with plant-based oils, such as vitamin E-rich avocado oil, have enhanced effectiveness. Vitamin E helps prevent premature skin aging due to sun exposure. Remember, there is no safe tan, Use common sense, and always avoid any overexposure to the sun.
SUNSCREEN LOTION APPLICATION & STORAGE
APPLICATION
As well as containing moisturizing properties, avocado oil, sesame oil and shea butter contain a low SPF sunscreen. However, they have only a limited UVA/UVB-filtering ability, thus you should not use them as your only skin protection. For a natural sunscreen with a higher SPF, use a commercial sunscreen with titanium dioxide.
To keep homemade sunscreen from spoiling. use only clean utensils for preparation and storage. Store lotions in the refrigerator, where they will keep for about 3 to 4 weeks.
To achieve maximum protection from the sun, apply sunscreen to dry skin 30 minutes before exposure. Limit your sun exposure time to less than one hour; actual amount of time depends on your skin type.
There are four basic skin types, each with a different level of tolerance to sun exposure. People with light skin and blond or reddish hair are Type I, and their natural protection time (amount of time skin can be exposed to the sun without burning) is 5-10 minutes. The natural protection time of people with skin Type II, who have a somewhat darker complexion, is up to 20 minutes. People with skin Types III and IV, those with much darker skin tones, can stay in the sun for 30 to 40 minutes. To determine how long a sunscreen will protect you, multiply your natural protection time by the SPF. Of course, if you have a family history of skin cancer, you should always use a sunscreen with a high SPF.
TAKE CARE! - If you use perfume oils, avoid citrus oils - such as bergamot, orange, lemon or lime. They may cause unpleasant skin reactions when exposed to the sun. They also reduce a sunscreen's effectiveness.
NATURAL PROTECTION CREAM RECIPE
3 Tablespoons Unrefined Sesame Oil
1 Tablespoon Unrefined Avocado Oil
1 Tablespoon Unrefined Jojoba Oil
1 Tablespoon Walnut or Almond Oil
1 Tablespoon Shea Butter
2 Tablespoons Cocoa Butter
1 Teaspoon Beeswax
1 Teaspoon Soya-Lecithin Liquid
2 Tablespoons Aloe Vera Gel
2 Tablespoons Rose or Lavender Water
1/2 Teaspoon Borax Powder
20 Drops Carrot-Seed Essential Oil
3-5 Drops Coconut Fragrance Oil (Optional)
1. Melt the first 4 oils, butters and beeswax in a double boiler over medium heat until just melted. Add the soya lecithin, and stir to blend. Remove from heat.
2. In a small saucepan, gently warm the aloe-vera gel and Rose or Lavender Water, and stir in Borax Powder until dissolved. Remove from heat.
3. When the oil and water mixtures are still warm to the touch and about the same temperature, set the small saucepan into a bowel of ice. Drizzle in the oil mixture while mixing rapidly with a small whisk; a cream will quickly form.
4. Add carrot-seed essential oil and coconut fragrance oil if desired; blend thoroughly.
5. Store in a clean, airtight jar or bottle, and refrigerate.
FOR AFTER-SUN RELIEF RECIPE
To help reduce inflammation and cool and moisturize the sunburned skin, apply a thin coat of yogurt or aloe vera gel to reddened areas.
Spray pure Lavender Water or Hydrosol freely on sun-damaged skin to keep skin hydrated, help prevent peeling and promote the regeneration of cells.
Add 2-3 drops of Lavender Oil to 1 teaspoon of a carrier oil, such as Sweet Almond Oil, and massage it onto affected area. Or apply diluted St. John's Wort Oil.
For more personal care recipes, return to index:
MoonDragon's Health Therapy: Herbal Personal Care Index
QUALITY SUPPLIES & PRODUCTS
Mountain Rose Herbs: Aromatherapy Essential Oils
The essential oils offered by Mountain Rose Herbs are 100% pure steam distilled plant oils with an unsurpassable fragrance, exceptional depth, magnificent keynote, and are free of carriers, diluents and other inputs. Here you will find some of the worlds most magnificent oils from reputable distillers and suppliers we know, trust, and have a wonderful working relationship with. Mountain Rose Herbs essential oils are processed from freshly harvested material within clean distilleries, thus promising you some of the most magnificent oils available on the market.
Mountain Rose Herbs: Bulk Herbs, Spices & Botanicals
All of their bulk dried herbs, botanicals and seasonings are strictly selected from the finest harvests and they have meticulously reviewed and analyzed all their materials to promise you an herbal product that is so fresh, colorful, and fragrant you can't help but to smile. Their line of organics are the first choice for respected authors, herbalists, stores, scientists, manufacturers, students and schools. Since 1987 they have continually come to Mountain Rose Herbs to satisfy their botanical requirements, and in this time they have repeatedly delivered the quality they expect. They attribute this astounding quality to the fact that Mountain Rose Herbs has over 11 farm operations, 6 wild harvesting operators, and acts as a direct liaison and processor with farmers and growers all across the globe. They are confident not only in the quality of material you may order but the ethics involved with their preparation and handling. If you feel beguiled and often frustrated with the inferior quality of "Mass Market" herbs that have been on market shelves and within stores inventories for months and sometimes years, then you can count on Mountain Rose Herbs to deliver a product that is unsurpassed in quality and freshness. Mountain Rose Herbs promise to you that their line of bulk herbs and botanicals are... True certified organic by OTCO. Certified OQK Kosher. Free from irradiation and ozone treatment, sulfur, gasses and other sanitary chemicals. Quality control tested, analyzed and supervised. Unsurpassable in color, depth, taste and aroma. Ethically wildharvested when not certified organic. Guaranteed fresh and not from "warehouse stock". Processed and handled according to strict organic standards. Grown, harvested, processed and handled by fun, knowledgeable and caring people. Analyzed for quality, safety and true botanical identity. Bulk ordering Discounts available.
Mountain Rose Herbs: Hydrosols & Flower Waters
Flower waters also known as hydrosols, hydroflorates or distillates are products from the direct steam distillation of whole plant materials. Unlike their "essential oil added to water" counterparts, true steam distilled hydrosols contain all the beneficial components that whole plant materials have to offer, and are more true to their scent. They are wonderful and inexpensive as a facial splash, as a deodorant, an air freshener, in the spa, for skin application, during massage, as a base in your body care recipes, and most may be used in culinary creations. They are moisturizing, fragrant, cooling and contain similar properties as essential oils but in much less concentration, which makes them a lovely alternative to those with sensitivities. Mountain Rose have now expanded their entire line of hydrosols, which have all been distilled in improved stainless steel cookers and processed through certified organic methods. They are excited to offer you these exceptional quality flower waters which are quality control supervised from cultivation to distillation by Mountain Rose Herbs. Each of their 4 oz hydrosols is packaged in an amber bottle with a black mister. The bulk 8 oz, 16 oz ounce and 1 gallon waters are packaged in HDPE plastic bottles.
For a full list of available products from Mountain Rose Herbs, click on banner below:
HELPFUL PRODUCTS & FURTHER EDUCATION
Prescription for Nutritional Healing: The A-To-Z Guide To Supplements
-- by Phyllis A. Balch, James F. Balch - 2nd Edition
Prescription for Nutritional Healing: The A-To-Z Guide To Supplements
-- by Phyllis A. Balch, James F. Balch - 4th Edition
Prescription for Herbal Healing: The A-To-Z Reference To Common Disorders
-- by Phyllis A. Balch
The Complete Guide to Natural Healing
This is only a small sample of educational materials and products available through Amazon.com. Use the search box provided below to search for a particular item.
HERBS, OILS, & SUPPLIES
Mountain Rose Bulk Herbs
Mountain Rose Aromatherapy Oils
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