Are you tired of using conventional sunscreens that contain toxic ingredients?
Do you want to protect your skin from the sun’s harsh rays without lathering on sunscreen?
Look no further than natural SPF oils.
These oils not only provide an extra layer of protection but also nourish and regenerate your skin cells.
One such oil is jojoba oil, which contains anti-inflammatory myristic acid with an SPF rating of 4.
But is that enough to protect your skin?
Let’s dive deeper into the world of natural SPF oils and find out.
Does Jojoba Oil Have SPF?
Yes, jojoba oil does have SPF, but it’s important to note that the rating is low at only 4.
However, jojoba oil is more than just a natural sunscreen ingredient.
It’s actually more accurately described as a liquid wax and has properties similar to human sebum, the skin’s natural oil.
This means that jojoba oil not only provides natural moisturizers for the skin but also provides healing and anti-inflammatory elements through its myristic acid content.
While the SPF rating may be low, the high levels of vitamins in jojoba oil make it a great additional ingredient to help soothe your skin.
The Dangers Of Conventional Sunscreens
Conventional sunscreens contain synthetic compounds known as photostabilizers that absorb UV radiation before it damages your skin cells. The problem is that almost all of the commonly used photostabilizers are potentially toxic if absorbed into the skin. In fact, the American Medical Association has admitted that an increased use of conventional sunscreen is correlated with an increased incidence of skin cancer.
Furthermore, conventional sunscreen acts as a barrier for the natural absorption of Vitamin D, which has been shown to help prevent cancer and is also used to help diabetes, obesity, muscle weakness, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, PMS, and more. When the amount of sunscreen and SPF advised by the World Health Organization (WHO) is used, vitamin D production may be abolished.
While some may argue that sunscreen actives need to penetrate the skin to work effectively, it’s important to note that many of these actives are synthetic and cannot be used to make a natural product. Additionally, while certain natural substances like carrot oil or raspberry seed oil are rumored to offer some protection from the sun’s rays, they are not sturdy enough for actual protection and no match for a broad-spectrum sunscreen.
The Benefits Of Natural SPF Oils
Conventional sunscreens often contain toxic ingredients that we don’t want on our skin. Luckily, natural SPF oils are becoming more mainstream as a way to gently and lightly protect our skin from the sun’s harsh rays.
In addition to providing natural protection from the sun, these oils also have numerous other benefits for our skin. Raspberry seed oil, for example, reportedly has an SPF against UVB rays of 28-50 and an SPF against UVA rays of around 8. It also contains powerful antioxidants and vitamin E to help fight free radicals, renew skin cells, and improve tone and elasticity.
Wheatgerm oil is another great source of vitamins, including E, K, B, and choline. It’s fantastic for moisturizing tissue and preventing free radical damage, and has an SPF rating of around 20.
Avocado oil is high in nutrients that soothe and nourish dry, damaged skin. It promotes collagen production and protects the skin against fine lines and wrinkles. With an SPF rating of up to 15, it’s a great addition to any skincare routine.
Pomegranate seed oil is a fantastic anti-aging oil that contains punic acid, which is shown to regenerate skin layers and improve skin tone and elasticity while reducing inflammation. It’s high in antioxidants and vitamin C, both of which contribute to younger-looking skin. A study conducted in 2001 showed that when mixed into a traditional sunscreen, pomegranate seed oil boosts the effectiveness of UV protection by 20%.
Other natural oils like coconut oil, jojoba oil, macadamia nut oil, olive oil, and almond oil also provide some natural protection from the sun but come in at less than SPF 10. While they are great ingredients to have in a product, they will not provide suitable protection from the sun on their own.
Jojoba Oil: A Natural Sunscreen
Jojoba oil is a fantastic natural sunscreen ingredient that can provide some protection from the sun’s harmful rays. Its myristic acid content, a form of fatty acid naturally occurring in plant oils, provides the skin with some sun protection with an SPF rating of 4.
But jojoba oil is more than just a natural sunscreen. Its properties are akin to that of human sebum, the skin’s natural oil. This means that jojoba oil not only provides natural moisturizers for the skin but also provides healing and anti-inflammatory elements.
Jojoba oil is particularly effective at treating dry skin and serving a purpose similar to that of sebum. It’s also rich in vitamins, making it a great additional ingredient for nourishing and soothing the skin.
While the SPF rating of jojoba oil may be low, it’s still a valuable addition to any skincare routine. It can be used in combination with other natural oils that provide higher levels of SPF protection to create a more effective natural sunscreen. Overall, jojoba oil is an excellent choice for those who are looking for a natural way to protect their skin from the sun’s harmful rays.
Understanding SPF Ratings
Understanding SPF ratings is important when choosing a sunscreen or natural oil for sun protection. SPF stands for sun protection factor and measures the level of protection a product provides against UVB rays, which are the rays that cause sunburn.
The rating system is based on the amount of time it takes for skin to burn with and without protection. For example, if it takes 10 minutes for unprotected skin to burn, a product with an SPF of 15 should provide protection for 150 minutes (10 minutes x 15 SPF).
It’s important to note that SPF only measures protection against UVB rays and not UVA rays, which can also cause skin damage. Look for products that offer broad-spectrum protection to ensure you’re protected against both types of rays.
Additionally, it’s important to apply sunscreen or natural oils properly to ensure maximum protection. Apply at least 15 minutes before sun exposure and reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating.
How To Safely Use Jojoba Oil As Sun Protection
If you plan on using jojoba oil as a natural sunscreen, it’s important to keep in mind that its low SPF rating of 4 means it should not be relied on as the sole form of sun protection.
However, jojoba oil can still be a beneficial addition to your sun protection routine.
To use jojoba oil as sun protection, simply apply a few drops to your skin before heading outside.
It’s important to note that jojoba oil is not water-resistant, so you may need to reapply it throughout the day if you plan on swimming or sweating.
Additionally, it’s recommended to pair jojoba oil with other forms of sun protection, such as wearing protective clothing and using traditional non-toxic sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15.
By using jojoba oil in conjunction with other forms of sun protection, you can help nourish and protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays.
Other Natural Oils With SPF Properties
In addition to jojoba oil, there are several other natural oils that have SPF properties.
Raspberry Seed Oil has an SPF rating of 28-50 against UVB rays and an SPF rating of around 8 against UVA rays. It also contains powerful antioxidants and vitamin E to help fight free radicals, renew skin cells and improve tone/elasticity.
Wheatgerm Oil is a great source of Vitamin E, K, and B, as well as Choline. This is fantastic for moisturizing tissue and preventing free radical damage. The SPF rating of wheatgerm oil comes in around 20.
Avocado Oil ranks in as high as SPF 15. It has a high proportion of mono-saturated fats, which provide a protective layer over the skin. This oil is high in nutrients to soothe and nourish dry, damaged skin. It promotes the production of collagen and protects the skin against fine lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to retain water to keep it firm and rejuvenated.
Pomegranate Seed Oil contains punic acid which is shown to regenerate skin layers and improve skin tone and elasticity while reducing inflammation. It’s high in antioxidants and vitamin C which both contribute to younger looking skin, as well as being antimicrobial, anticarcinogenic, and anti-inflammatory. A study conducted in 2001 from Cosmetic Dermatology showed that when mixing pomegranate seed oil into a traditional sunscreen, it boosts the effectiveness of UV protection by 20 percent.
While coconut oil, jojoba oil, macadamia nut oil, olive oil, almond oil, and others also provide some natural protection, they come in at less than SPF 10. While they are great ingredients to have in a product, they will not provide any kind of suitable protection from the sun.
