Sicilian Sun Screen - Olive Oil is not just for Cooking

[Vincentc]

It started with our trip to Augusta GA to visit with our oldest daughter and her new husband. Marie made me listen to "doctor radio" on the satellite radio while she drove. They were interviewing someone who wrote a book on Extra Virgin Olive Oil. See Extravirginity.com. Much of the commentary dealt with the benefits of rubbing olive oil on your skin.

Since most things for me relate back to boats I decided EVOO would make a good sunscreen. The internet provided a recipe which included a source for the other needed ingredients. Soapgoods.com. There are conflicting reports on the best/least dangerous screen additive and I decided on zinc oxide, but not the nano sized particles.

I mixed up a batch and applied it this morning using the following recipe:

EV Olive oil oz 3
Shea Butter oz 1
Coconut Oil oz 1
Sesame Oil oz 1
Aloe Vera oz 2
Bees Wax Tbl 3
Zinc Oxide Tbl 1

heat oils in double boiler (peanut butter jar in a pot of boiling water)
melt Bees Wax pellets in hot oil
slowly stir in Zinc Oxide mixing thoroughly
remove from heat
Add Aloe Vera Gel
Continue stirring until mixture cools

The beeswax holds the zinc in suspension and makes it thick once it cools.

I applied it, and contrary to Marie's predictions the zinc oxide did not turn me white but rubbed in just fine. The sun is out and it is supposed to get up to 70 here, hopefully I will see how it works.

Regards

 

[OBXTucker]

Sounds like the only thing you're missing is a little garlic to keep the demons away!
It also appears that the worst that could happen with your concoction is that you'll small like an Italian in the tropics all day long!

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Reminds me of the Seinfeld episode where Kramer rubbed butter all over himself and then stayed out in the sun too long. If you've seen it, you'll remember that Newman thought he looked and smelled like a finely roasted turkey and wanted to eat him.

 

[OBXTucker]

Or the one where Ross decided to whitened his teeth!!

 

[SKYCHENEY]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_F4DTGx6AMo

 

[Vincentc]

I guess it could give new meaning, or at least flavor to a broiling hot sunny day.

Garlic would enhance the sensory experience. I wonder if a little balsamic vinegar might also give a little pre sun skin darkening?

Is there really doubt about the effectiveness of my recipe, or has the influence of Big Pharmacy / Big Cosmetics infiltrated the forum?

 

[MikeP]

You didn't add iodine for some self tanning? Iodine/baby oil was the DIY standard in my beach-going college days.

 

[Vincentc]

I remember baby oil and iodine and remember a friend in high school who recommended used motor oil. He died a few years ago of skin cancer.

We spend a lot of time in the sun and I do now give some thought to sun screen. I wonder about the value of store bought sunscreen. The ingredients for the recipe I used costs about $4 per 8 oz. which considering the necessary profit and markup, tells me the storebought stuff may not be of that great a quality. If I am going to coat my skin with something on a regular basis I would like for it to be good.

According to my wife the oils should be good and according to internet searches, zinc oxide is an effective and safe screen. There appears to be some doubt about the chemicals used in the storebought variety.

Regards,