Image 1 of 1
Summer Sun Oil
We know the sun is beneficial to our health, but we don’t want to burn our skin because we know that is harmful to us. As part of my summer series, I have created this cream that uses natural ingredients that provide some benefits for our time out in the sun.
Using natural oils for natural sun protection has many benefits, especially when using them in combination with specific essential oils. Sadly, there is no commercial impetus to clinically test carrier oils for their SPF values, so I don’t make any claims related to that aspect of this product.
I will however highlight the oils used and my reasoning for including them in this product.
One of the most versatile sun protective carrier oils, Raspberry Seed Oil. There are several scientific studies recognizing the sun protective benefits of Raspberry Seed Oil. “Raspberry Seed Oil provided average UV protection by absorbing the harmful UV-rays and ensured consumer safety and avoidance of harmful organic UV filters with potential toxic effects.” https://skin.dermsquared.com/skin/article/view/2939/2213
Organic Broccoli Seed Oil is considered antioxidant, anti-aging, antifungal, sun-protective, anti-allergic, wound-healing and anti-inflammatory. “Sulforaphane mobilizes cellular defenses that protect skin against damage by UV radiation".” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17956979/
Buriti Oil is reported to have the highest beta-carotene content of all carrier oils, it is excellent for signs of aging and inflammatory skin conditions, such as acne, eczema, rosacea and psoriasis. Organic Buriti Oil is considered antioxidant and photo protective. “The oil extracted from the buriti pulp is utilized by the cosmetics industry for products such as sun creams and creams for treating burns and preventing early skin aging due to its cicatrizing and antiaging action, which is attributed to the antioxidants (carotenoids and tocopherols) that act by eliminating free radicals.” https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9229003/
Pomegranate Seed Oil is reputed to possess an unofficial SPF of 8. This oil is thought to stimulate keratinocytes, which are the cells found in the outer layer of the skin as well as being rich in antioxidants. “pomegranate seed oil show to inhibit markers for UVB-induced skin damage…Recently, pomegranate (Punica granatum) extracts have gained significant attention because of their beneficial effects, including anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antimicrobial activity. In addition, in vitro studies on cell cultures of normal human epidermal keratinocytes highlighted the protective effects of pomegranate fruit extract against UV-A and UV-B radiation.” https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332280336_Use_of_Vegetable_Oils_to_Improve_the_Sun_Protection_Factor_of_Sunscreen_Formulations
Tamanu Oil is one of the few oils to be verified as sun protective, with a specific SPF value, in clinical scientific literature. A Pub med article attributes an SPF value of 11.2 to this Oil. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33721242/ According to this article, the sun protective benefits of Organic Tamanu Oil are likely due to the high proportion of calophyllolides found in this oil. Another study corroborates this claim, but states the the SPF value for Tamanu Oil is between 18 – 22. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17188472/
We know the sun is beneficial to our health, but we don’t want to burn our skin because we know that is harmful to us. As part of my summer series, I have created this cream that uses natural ingredients that provide some benefits for our time out in the sun.
Using natural oils for natural sun protection has many benefits, especially when using them in combination with specific essential oils. Sadly, there is no commercial impetus to clinically test carrier oils for their SPF values, so I don’t make any claims related to that aspect of this product.
I will however highlight the oils used and my reasoning for including them in this product.
One of the most versatile sun protective carrier oils, Raspberry Seed Oil. There are several scientific studies recognizing the sun protective benefits of Raspberry Seed Oil. “Raspberry Seed Oil provided average UV protection by absorbing the harmful UV-rays and ensured consumer safety and avoidance of harmful organic UV filters with potential toxic effects.” https://skin.dermsquared.com/skin/article/view/2939/2213
Organic Broccoli Seed Oil is considered antioxidant, anti-aging, antifungal, sun-protective, anti-allergic, wound-healing and anti-inflammatory. “Sulforaphane mobilizes cellular defenses that protect skin against damage by UV radiation".” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17956979/
Buriti Oil is reported to have the highest beta-carotene content of all carrier oils, it is excellent for signs of aging and inflammatory skin conditions, such as acne, eczema, rosacea and psoriasis. Organic Buriti Oil is considered antioxidant and photo protective. “The oil extracted from the buriti pulp is utilized by the cosmetics industry for products such as sun creams and creams for treating burns and preventing early skin aging due to its cicatrizing and antiaging action, which is attributed to the antioxidants (carotenoids and tocopherols) that act by eliminating free radicals.” https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9229003/
Pomegranate Seed Oil is reputed to possess an unofficial SPF of 8. This oil is thought to stimulate keratinocytes, which are the cells found in the outer layer of the skin as well as being rich in antioxidants. “pomegranate seed oil show to inhibit markers for UVB-induced skin damage…Recently, pomegranate (Punica granatum) extracts have gained significant attention because of their beneficial effects, including anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antimicrobial activity. In addition, in vitro studies on cell cultures of normal human epidermal keratinocytes highlighted the protective effects of pomegranate fruit extract against UV-A and UV-B radiation.” https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332280336_Use_of_Vegetable_Oils_to_Improve_the_Sun_Protection_Factor_of_Sunscreen_Formulations
Tamanu Oil is one of the few oils to be verified as sun protective, with a specific SPF value, in clinical scientific literature. A Pub med article attributes an SPF value of 11.2 to this Oil. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33721242/ According to this article, the sun protective benefits of Organic Tamanu Oil are likely due to the high proportion of calophyllolides found in this oil. Another study corroborates this claim, but states the the SPF value for Tamanu Oil is between 18 – 22. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17188472/