Forum Thermomix

Thermomix Recipes for TM5 and TM31 => Non Food Recipes => Topic started by: quirkycooking on December 03, 2010, 05:30:54 am

Title: Natural Sunscreen (or body/face/nappy rash cream without the zinc)
Post by: quirkycooking on December 03, 2010, 05:30:54 am
Hi everyone - my friend Crystal makes her own sunscreen in the Thermomix, and it's really lovely.  The kids and I tested it out at the lake the other day, and it was great - none of them got sunburnt even though it was the middle of the day, and two of them have very fair skin!  She says she's  still refining the recipe, but this latest batch is her best ever.  She hasn't recorded all the instructions with temps/times/speeds, but hopefully you can figure it out.  It's hard to clean the Thermomix afterwards, but it will come off with detergent and hot water.   So here it is, direct from Crystel...
 
- 30gm beeswax
- 80 gm oil (organic coconut, almond or sesame oil are usually my choices because they have some sunprotective qualities themselves)
- 30gm shea butter
heat gently and mix till beeswax is melted and shea butter incorporated.
 
- add 10 gm flaxseed oil (not necessary - but in combination with other oils is also good for sunprotection - better not to heat it too much though - I just add it in after I"ve finished heating)... if you don't do this then do 10 extra gms of oil at the beginning so your proportions are right.
 
* (Stop here if you just want an exquisite body/face/nappy rash cream) *
 
For suncream add:

- 50 gm zinc oxide powder (from aussiesoapsupplies (http://www.aussiesoapsupplies.com.au/)) - don't get "micronized" zinc - it can absorb into skin some research suggests and can be harmful - so it is safer to be white and have regular zinc oxide... I try to add the right amount so it is 25% zinc - this will make 30+ - be careful not to breath in the powder...it's completely safe when mixed in though.
 
- optional 1teaspoon tumeric thoroughly combined with a little oil/water so it's not grainy - this is very good for your skin and makes it a bit less white... I've also tried mixing miessence bronzing powder (http://whitton.mionegroup.com/en/product/14130) which worked well - you could also mix it with miessence foundation (http://whitton.mionegroup.com/en/product/14103) if you wanted... all of these things are optional - you can just be white if you want
 
I also add a few drops of pure sandalwood essential oil - it's also very good for the skin, mildly sunprotective and makes the turmeric smell less intense.  You could use other essential oils - but not citrus ones as they make the skin more likely to burn in the sun... I've erred on the side of caution as I'm using it on babies.
 
Pour into container to set.

Hope that doesn't sound too complicated - it really isn't!

 :)
Title: Re: Natural Sunscreen (or body/face/nappy rash cream without the zinc)
Post by: Meagan on December 03, 2010, 06:06:55 am
Thanks Crystal and Jo  :)
Title: Re: Natural Sunscreen (or body/face/nappy rash cream without the zinc)
Post by: abundanceatangas on December 03, 2010, 06:25:19 am
Thankyou; that sounds wonderful.

I have heard that apricot kernal oil has the highest sunprotection of any oil; but couldn't say for sure - maybe that could be another option for the oil.
Title: Re: Natural Sunscreen (or body/face/nappy rash cream without the zinc)
Post by: quirkycooking on December 03, 2010, 06:32:07 am
That sounds like a good idea!
Title: Re: Natural Sunscreen (or body/face/nappy rash cream without the zinc)
Post by: tarosuma on December 03, 2010, 08:22:12 am
Thank you SO much to both of you - it looks brilliant.  I am going through bucket loads of sunscreen with the kids and at $30 a tube it is a bit crazy.  This idea is just great!  Will just need to source some of those bits and pieces though, might have to get my sister to bring from Oz when she visits soon.
thanks again!
Title: Re: Natural Sunscreen (or body/face/nappy rash cream without the zinc)
Post by: meganjane on December 03, 2010, 08:51:48 am
No oils really have any sunscreen protection, that's just a myth. But, the zinc oxide is and excellent sunscreen.

It's also a good idea to add 1% Vitamin E oil (just squeeze the oil out of a couple of capsules) as the oils can go rancid, especially if the jar is left in the heat.

I make and sell a Baby Balm using Zinc Oxide and Beeswax and have recommended to my customers that it's also a good sunscreen. I base mine on olive & castor seed oil and use both Vitamins A & E. I scent it really lightly with lavender and chamomile essential oils.
When I first developed it, I used my Thermomix, the TM21, and it made it so much easier to incorporate the zinc oxide. I now use a stick blender as I make 4 Litres at a time!
Title: Re: Natural Sunscreen (or body/face/nappy rash cream without the zinc)
Post by: Chelsea (Thermie Groupie) on December 03, 2010, 10:53:20 am
Thanks Jo. Regular sunscreen strips the pigment from our Ethiopian-born son's skin, but I will check these ingredients out.  We may have found another alternative here.  ;D
Title: Re: Natural Sunscreen (or body/face/nappy rash cream without the zinc)
Post by: quirkycooking on December 03, 2010, 11:33:58 am
Quote from: Chelsea (Thermie Groupie) on December 03, 2010, 10:53:20 am
Thanks Jo. Regular sunscreen strips the pigment from our Ethiopian-born son's skin, but I will check these ingredients out.  We may have found another alternative here.  ;D

That's interesting!!  Wonder why it does that...  Hope it works for you  :)

MeganJane, does the vitamin E oil stop it from going rancid, is that what you add it for? Thanks  :)
Title: Re: Natural Sunscreen (or body/face/nappy rash cream without the zinc)
Post by: meganjane on December 05, 2010, 08:22:15 am
Yes, Vitamin E is to prevent rancidity.

When I was researching Zinc Oxide as a sunscreen some time ago, I found this table:

                                      low                  moderate                   high                         ultra high
                                             (spf 2-5)           (spf 6-11)              (spf 12-19)               (spf >20)   
titanium dioxide                         <4%                     8%                   12%                           20%
titanium dioxide, micronized     2%                    4%                         6%                          10%   
zinc oxide                                    5%                   10%                          15%                          25%
zinc oxide, micronized                    3%                    7.5%                 12%                          20%
SPF refers to a world wide standard to do with the time spent in the sun unprotected before burning. If it takes you 5 minutes to burn, then you multiply that 5 minutes with the SPF and that is how long it will take before burning occurs.
Theoretically, a 20 SPF sunscreen would then protect you for 100 minutes.

Not all sunscreens protect both UVA and UVB rays, but zinc oxide does. UVB rays are the ones that cause burning, while UVA rays cause skin aging and sun damage.
If only I'd had this information when I was younger.... :-\
Title: Re: Natural Sunscreen (or body/face/nappy rash cream without the zinc)
Post by: quirkycooking on December 05, 2010, 10:52:38 am
Thanks for that Meagan - that's really interesting!
Title: Re: Natural Sunscreen (or body/face/nappy rash cream without the zinc)
Post by: Nay-nay on December 06, 2010, 02:46:45 am
Wow - very interesting indeed. How much does this make? And how much does that mix cost to make? The natural sunscreen I get is a ridiculous price! Love it!! :-* :-*
Title: Re: Natural Sunscreen (or body/face/nappy rash cream without the zinc)
Post by: quirkycooking on December 06, 2010, 03:07:26 am
I think it makes about 200g, but I'll find out for you.  Not sure of the price - guess it depends how 'bulk' you buy the ingredients.  Yeah, natural sunscreens cost a lot - it's got to be cheaper to make your own!
Title: Re: Natural Sunscreen (or body/face/nappy rash cream without the zinc)
Post by: zebraa on December 06, 2010, 10:17:37 am
Wow. Thankyou - that really is a great idea.
Title: Re: Natural Sunscreen (or body/face/nappy rash cream without the zinc)
Post by: quirkycooking on December 06, 2010, 10:36:51 am
I asked Crystel about the amount and price - she said it makes about 250g, which may not sound like much, but it's about half a Tupperware lunch box full!  She said the cost would work out to less than $40 a kg, but wasn't sure exactly the amount.

She also said, "to make it simpler for people who can't get ingredients - I only recently started adding shea butter.  It is a nicer consistency - but you can do it with just oils and beeswax if you want to be really simple - as Megan said, zinc oxide is the key."
Title: Re: Natural Sunscreen (or body/face/nappy rash cream without the zinc)
Post by: CreamPuff63 on December 06, 2010, 12:19:00 pm
as a face cream is it "greasy"? and do you get everything from aussiesoapsupplies including the essential oils? if so, do you have to buy bulk or can you basically get just enough to make this?
Title: Re: Natural Sunscreen (or body/face/nappy rash cream without the zinc)
Post by: meganjane on December 06, 2010, 01:31:40 pm
Since it has no water in it, yes, it would be fairly greasy. You'd need to be careful using it on the face as it could cause blocked pores. Best to use something like this on the body only.

Aussie Soap Supplies is only one supplier. You can get supplies from;

New Directions (http://shop.newdirections.com.au/epages/newdirections.sf)
Essential Oil and Soap (http://www.oilsandsoap.com.au/)
Escentials of Australia (https://www.escentialsofaustralia.com/)

You don't need to order in bulk, you can buy small amounts, but it's obviously going to be more expensive.

There's some good beginner recipes here (http://www.glenbrookfarm.com/face_creams.htm)
Title: Re: Natural Sunscreen (or body/face/nappy rash cream without the zinc)
Post by: containergirl on December 08, 2010, 12:13:53 am
Thanks for all the info everyone.  I can't wait to try some of this.  Just the ticket for an experiment over Christmas.
Title: Re: Natural Sunscreen (or body/face/nappy rash cream without the zinc)
Post by: containergirl on December 12, 2010, 11:30:44 pm
I made a batch of this yesterday.  I used a double boiler rather than the thermomix.  I used all oil instead of the shea butter.  It feels a lot like the one I used to buy when my daughter was a baby.  I like the texture however the offspring don't like it. 

Any opinions/advice on reducing the beeswax slightly?

I used an old cloth with eucalyptus oil on to clean up - and the clean up was a weeny bit vast....the stick blender in the shallow container trick! It was good for oiling the floors.  Another reminder of why the thermomix is so good....it contains all that splatter and the eucalyptus oil would have cleaned up the bowl a treat.
Title: Re: Natural Sunscreen (or body/face/nappy rash cream without the zinc)
Post by: I Love Bimby! on December 13, 2010, 12:24:41 pm
What a fantastic recipe!! Thanks Jo and Megan for your advice!!!  :-* :-*
Title: Re: Natural Sunscreen (or body/face/nappy rash cream without the zinc)
Post by: quirkycooking on December 14, 2010, 12:18:06 am
I still haven't made this yet, but I've ordered the ingredients... Was your batch a bit grainy, containergirl? 
Title: Re: Natural Sunscreen (or body/face/nappy rash cream without the zinc)
Post by: containergirl on December 15, 2010, 01:14:42 am
slightly grainy but more thick and waxy.
Title: Re: Natural Sunscreen (or body/face/nappy rash cream without the zinc)
Post by: quirkycooking on December 15, 2010, 01:49:03 am
Hmmm, wonder if it would've been better if mixed in the thermomix?  The one I used of Crystel's was nice and creamy.
Title: Re: Natural Sunscreen (or body/face/nappy rash cream without the zinc)
Post by: Nay-nay on December 15, 2010, 04:13:59 am
What kind of beeswax did you use?? I'm looking on the soap makers site and there is 2 types??
Title: Re: Natural Sunscreen (or body/face/nappy rash cream without the zinc)
Post by: quirkycooking on December 15, 2010, 04:20:02 am
I think it would be the natural one - that's my guess anyway, and that's what I ordered!
Title: Re: Natural Sunscreen (or body/face/nappy rash cream without the zinc)
Post by: Nay-nay on December 15, 2010, 04:32:57 am
Yeah - that's what I went for but just wondering if that's what made it grainy?? It should all just melt shouldn't it??  :-\
Title: Re: Natural Sunscreen (or body/face/nappy rash cream without the zinc)
Post by: Nay-nay on December 15, 2010, 04:36:24 am
Are you happy with your Miessence?? i was using it about 5years ago but got ticked off when I found it had Titanium Dioxide in it??   
Title: Re: Natural Sunscreen (or body/face/nappy rash cream without the zinc)
Post by: quirkycooking on December 15, 2010, 06:22:23 am
Quote from: Nay-nay on December 15, 2010, 04:36:24 am
Are you happy with your Miessence?? i was using it about 5years ago but got ticked off when I found it had Titanium Dioxide in it??   

I'm really happy with Miessence - my skin and hair improved so much after I'd been using it a couple of months!  That sounds strange about the titanium dioxide - I can't find anything that says they use it - what was it you were thinking it was in?  They say they don't use it in their sunscreen because "it causes DNA damage due to superoxide radicals, active oxygen radicals and hydroxyl radicals when exposed to light."  And another quote I found said about their make-up... "Mineral based translucent foundations, with natural sunscreen, concealer, translucent powder, bronzing dust, and mineral foundation powders using only, pure, refined minerals. No nano-particles, no dimethecone coatings and no titanium dioxide is ever used in Miessence mineral based cosmetic products."  I can send them an email and ask though, if you like.  :)
Title: Re: Natural Sunscreen (or body/face/nappy rash cream without the zinc)
Post by: Nay-nay on December 15, 2010, 11:22:14 pm
Well I def need to check them out again!! Do you know if this is the make up Cyndi O uses???
Title: Re: Natural Sunscreen (or body/face/nappy rash cream without the zinc)
Post by: quirkycooking on December 16, 2010, 01:54:54 am
I think so - she speaks at their conferences and seminars, so I would say she uses it. 
I can send you a couple of samples if you like.  :)
Title: Re: Natural Sunscreen (or body/face/nappy rash cream without the zinc)
Post by: CarolineW on December 17, 2010, 10:09:45 pm
Quote from: meganjane on December 06, 2010, 01:31:40 pm

You don't need to order in bulk, you can buy small amounts, but it's obviously going to be more expensive.

There's some good beginner recipes here (http://www.glenbrookfarm.com/face_creams.htm)

Thanks for the link, meaganjane.  I want to give the daily moisturiser recipe a go if I can find the ingredients.
Title: Re: Natural Sunscreen (or body/face/nappy rash cream without the zinc)
Post by: meganjane on December 20, 2010, 02:51:19 pm
Shea butter has a terrible habit of going grainy. It actually crystallises if it goes soft and then hardens. You're really better off leaving it out and using just beeswax, oil and zinc oxide.

Miessence don't use TD anymore, only ZO. Just be aware that many of their products are preserved with alcohol which can be quite drying.

In keeping with the  organic and natural ethos, I find that many products from such companies are nice, but lack the really clever technologies available to skin care manufacturers today. Ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid, CoQ10, Heptapeptides, MSM etc are very effective in helping repair damaged cells, increasing collagen production and smoothing fine lines. I love to research these and use many of them in my own skin care range.

Edited to add that I now don't send samples out except with orders over $50. My products have a 100% Money Back Guarantee.
I'd forgotten that I'd offered to send samples here and was wondering why I got a couple of emails asking for samples.
Sorry for the confusion. I only make samples when I have left over product that isn't able to fill a complete jar or bottle, so can never be certain that I have a specific sample product that people want to try.
Title: Re: Natural Sunscreen (or body/face/nappy rash cream without the zinc)
Post by: Nay-nay on January 14, 2011, 12:11:10 pm
I loved this recipe. It sets pretty firm but when you apply it, it melts wonderfully. Didn't get the crystals from Shea butter - lovely consistency. Did add the Vit E. Thanks so very much gals.  :-*  :-* saved me a bucket load of money this summer.   ;)  8) I had a photo but the cord has gone walkies - will get it up soon - i hope.
Title: Re: Natural Sunscreen (or body/face/nappy rash cream without the zinc)
Post by: sue_h on January 17, 2011, 09:51:51 pm
when leaving out the shea butter do you just add extra beeswax continue as per the recipe just without the shea butter.
Title: Re: Natural Sunscreen (or body/face/nappy rash cream without the zinc)
Post by: meganjane on January 20, 2011, 08:06:54 am
Yes, just add a little extra beeswax, not much though!

Shea butter will stay beautiful for ages, then it will suddenly turn on you and crystallise.... :-\
Title: Re: Natural Sunscreen (or body/face/nappy rash cream without the zinc)
Post by: Nay-nay on February 24, 2011, 11:04:59 am
Finally found camera cord. Love this recipe!!  ;)
Title: Re: Natural Sunscreen (or body/face/nappy rash cream without the zinc)
Post by: judydawn on February 24, 2011, 11:08:42 am
That cord went missing for a long time Nay-nay  :D :D
Title: Re: Natural Sunscreen (or body/face/nappy rash cream without the zinc)
Post by: Nay-nay on February 24, 2011, 11:11:26 am
I know!!  - and when I say 'found' I mean I borrowed mum's  :-[ :-))
Title: Re: Natural Sunscreen (or body/face/nappy rash cream without the zinc)
Post by: MrsTwinn on January 10, 2012, 05:28:18 am
Just received my supplies so dove right in. Nasty to clean up but love it otherwise. Stoked. Thanks  ;D :)
Title: Re: Natural Sunscreen (or body/face/nappy rash cream without the zinc)
Post by: meganjane on January 30, 2012, 02:55:39 pm
I clean everything up with paper towel first. Scrape as much off the stick blender and spatula as you can, then wipe with paper towel.
Place a squirt of straight dish washing liquid on your utensils and jug and mix around with your fingers. Then add piping hot water and you'll find that you've emulsified the goo enough for it to wash off easily with hot water.