How to Use Essential Oils as Sunscreen

Smart people use sunscreens to protect their skin from the harmful exposure of the sun’s rays. Yet getting some sun is an important way of providing the body with Vitamin D, the “sunshine vitamin.”Sesame massage oil can serve as a sunscreen and, when combined with other essential oils, can do double duty in repelling insects. It also is wonderful for making your skin look and feel soft and supple.Here’s how to select and prepare sesame oil to use as a sunscreen.

Things You'll Need

• Pure essential oils
• Sesame oil
• Plastic bottle with cap

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Instructions

Using Essential and Massage Oil as a Sunscreen

• 1

  Buy only sesame oil that is specifically designed to be used for massage. This oil has been specially refined and prepared for use on the skin. You can get it at health food stores and online. Don’t use cooking sesame oil, as this is a different grade of oil and often has a strong odor.

• 2

  Measure a portion of the sesame oil into an easy-carry plastic bottle with a cap. The oil usually comes in larger sizes, such as 1-quart bottles and 1-gallon jugs, so using the smaller bottle makes it easier to carry and use.

• 3

  Blend in one or two of the following essential oils to add insect-repellant qualities to your sesame sunscreen oil, if desired: cedarwood, clove, lavender, peppermint, rosemary and thyme. Use only 100 percent pure essential oils, as only these offer healthful benefits. The label will state "100 percent pure." Add three drops of essential oil per teaspoon of sesame oil. Shake well.

• 4

  Gently massage and spread the oil all over the exposed parts of your body -- including your neck, face and ears -- just as you would with suntan lotion. Avoid getting the oil into your eyes or mouth.

• 5

  Reapply sesame-oil sunscreen after contact with water or after perspiring heavily.