DIY Sun Stick

Now that the summer sun is in full swing here in Arizona, so is everything else that comes with the hot heat – sprinklers, water parks, splash pads, and backyard fun.

Here in Arizona, it gets hotter than many other places – as high as 118 – 120 degrees at some points. It truly makes it a different beast altogether when it comes to enjoying our summer.   Families here still do things outside .. but they are usually somewhat careful about approaching those activities.  For example… you may not find people hiking in mid-July, but you will see people visiting the waterpark, or the splash pad, or enjoying a ball game.

For most, sun protection is as easy as traveling to the nearest drugstore or grocery and picking up what is easily accessible on the shelf – Banana Boat, Hawaiian Tropic, even Neutrogena Sun Care. However… although it might be easier, these commercial products aren’t the best option for our skin.

The danger, is that many sunscreens are accelerating, instead of protecting against cancer:

Researchers at the Environmental Working Group, a Washington-based nonprofit, released their annual report claiming nearly half of the 500 most popular sunscreen products may actually increase the speed at which malignant cells develop and spread skin cancer because they contain vitamin A and its derivatives, retinol and retinyl palmitate.

Not to mention commercial products contain synthetic fragrances which can ALSO cause hormone disruption; they can accumulate in the breast milk of a pregnant mother, in the umbilical cord blood and also in your body fat.   Parabens interfere with hormone production, and phthalates are linked to reproductive issues as well.

Unfortunately, these sun care items, although dangerous, are still on store shelves across the country:

Sun Care and Protection is a HUGE industry – just like food {processed}, and health care, there are lack of regulations and oversight by the FDA.

Many of the commercial sun protection products have Oxybenzone – which is a hormone disruptor and can easily penetrate skin and enter the bloodstream . Once in the bloodstream, it acts like estrogen in the body and triggers allergic reactions. (Src)

Commercial products contain Retinol and Retinyl Palmitate – which, in some cases, can increase the speed at which malignant cancer cells develop – they can spread skin cancer because they can contain Vitamin A that is harmful when exposed to the sun. (Src)

We’ve made our own beach cream in the past, which works super if you are at home and need to slather it on before playing outside. However… we wanted to do a sun stick so we could easily take it with us – whether to the water park, splash pad, zoo… even to a ball game.

It just seems easier to spread it on through a stick than by dealing with lotion on your hands – right? 

About the Ingredients

This sun stick uses zinc oxide, as well as coconut oil, shea butter and essential oils:

Zinc Oxide: Is unique among ingredients in that it is truly a broad-spectrum blocker, protecting from UVA, UVB, and even UVC.  It has the BEST UV Absorption profile. is a mineral nutrient, is safe for children & for babies and in comparison to titanium dioxide, it weighs in as being the better option.

Carrot Seed Essential Oil: Is wonderful for supporting healthy skin.

Lavender Essential Oil: Great to support healthy skin – combined with wonderful scent it makes a great addition to DIY beauty items.

Being out for short periods of time is actually good for your body – it boosts natural vitamin D production, which helps protect your skin. Spending hours in the rays though, is not healthy .. no matter what type of cream or lotion you put on your body.

It’s important to familiarize yourself with the role of creams and lotions in terms of protection.   You will want to spend 20-30 minutes each day without protection to boost your vitamin D, and after that period of time, dress cautiously and use protection for any additional time.

DIY Sun Stick

Making beach cream in a stick is fairly simple – the hardest part comes in waiting for the sticks to harden. This recipe makes 2 regular size deodorant sticks and 2 travel size sticks.  Instead of travel size sticks, you could use a chapstick container and have a sun stick to apply to the nose and neck, too.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 C. coconut oil
• 1/2 C. shea butter
• 5 Tbsp beeswax pastilles
• 2 Tbsp zinc oxide
• 15 drops Carrot Seed Essential Oil
• 10-15 drops Lavender Essential Oil
• Empty Deodorant Containers or, Push Up Sticks

Directions:

1. Combine the coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax in a wide-mouth glass canning jar, or glass Pyrex cup and microwave for 25-30 second intervals until completely melted.
2. Carefully remove from the microwave (you may have to wear a glove to ensure you don’t burn your hand), stir in the zinc oxide until completely dissolved.
3. Add the essential oils and stir again to combine.
4. Pour into empty deodorant containers – this recipe makes 2 regular size deodorant containers, and 2 travel size.
5. Allow to sit, undisturbed, until they are completely hardened. Then, cover with the tops and store in a cool, dry place.

If you are going to be in the heat, just like you wouldn’t leave chapstick or deodorant in the car, avoid leaving your sun sticks in the car, too. The beeswax does provide a firmer stick, but it will tend to get too soft if you leave it in the heat.

The beeswax will help provide a bit of protection from water – though if you are spending a great deal of time outside, I would suggest applying regularly to ensure you are protected.

 

If you are going to be spending time outside, keep the sun stick close so you have it available to slather on as needed.  Our kids always throw them on the table in the back (excuse the dirt!)

Incorporating Essential Oils? 

If you are incorporating essential oils in your beauty routine, and in this recipe, see what we use on our family and recommend for others. We are passionate about our essential oils and have found them to be incredibly supportive for many areas of our life – including rest, immune system support and more.

See 25 DIYs with Essential Oils including facial cream, bath bombs, lip scrub & more.