Essential Oils as Sunscreen? My PSA for the day

I spent a little time this past weekend popping into some of my favorite groups and noticed a theme: multiple people were asking what essential oils could be used as sunscreen and how to apply them.

I was pretty shocked at some of the answers I was seeing. Some people were suggesting oils to use, and others were saying that you could apply the essential oils to your pulse point and they would protect you from the sun.

STOP!

This kind of misinformation makes my aromatherapist brain want to explode.

Let’s start off by saying, essential oils DO NOT act as sunscreen. Ever. Period. The end. Unless you want to look like this girl:

Now, let’s go a step further and say that some essential oils can actually cause your skin to severely burn if you put them on your skin and then spend time in the sun.

These oils include:

Angelica Root

Cold pressed Bergamot

Cold Pressed Lemon

Cold Pressed Lime

Cold Pressed Bitter Orange

Mandarin Leaf

Opopanax

Rue

Tagetes

Cold Pressed Grapefruit

Oils that are POTENTIALLY phototoxic include:

Cold Pressed Clementine

Celery Leaf

Cumin Seed

Parsnip

Listen, folks, it’s important that we use a real, good sunscreen when we’re going to be spending time outdoors. Not only does it protect us from the soreness of sunburn, but it also helps keep our skin from drying prematurely or, heaven forbid, developing skin cancer. According to the Mayo Clinic, you want a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and you want to apply it generously at least every 2 hours.

PLEASE don’t use essential oils and think you’re protected from the sun because you aren’t!

I also want to share a quick and easy sun soothing spray that is super refreshing and great to use on hot days or when you’ve spent time out in the sun.

Skin Refresher Spray

Ingredients:

4 ounces Peppermint Hydrosol

4 ounces Lavender Hydrosol

8-ounce spray bottle

Directions:

Add all ingredients to the spray bottle and shake well to combine. To use: spray on the skin after being out in the heat or sun, or just anytime your skin needs a little pick me up. For best results, store the spray bottle in your fridge.

Happy Crafting!

This Apple Tart Soap is such a sweet little soap-making project, and I love how it turns a simple melt and pour soap base into something that looks almost good enough to eat. The idea of using clear glycerin soap with apple pie fragrance oil, cinnamon, and a whipped white soap topping gives this project a warm, cozy dessert-inspired feel without making it overly complicated.

What makes this project especially appealing is how beginner-friendly it is. Melt and pour soap is one of the easiest ways to get started with handmade soap, and this recipe keeps the ingredient list short while still creating a finished soap that feels fun and gift-worthy. The whipped topping detail is a clever touch because it instantly makes the soap look more like a tiny apple tart or bakery-style treat.

I also really like the packaging potential for this project. These soaps would look beautiful wrapped in clear cello, brown kraft paper, or a small handmade gift box. Adding dried apple rounds, a cinnamon stick, twine, or a rustic gift tag would make them perfect for fall gifts, teacher presents, craft stalls, Christmas hampers, or homemade bath and body gift baskets.

Because the soap uses cinnamon and fragrance oil, I would treat this as more of a novelty hand soap or decorative gift soap rather than something for very sensitive skin. As with all handmade bath and body projects, it is a good idea to use skin-safe fragrance oils and soap-safe colorants where possible.

Overall, this is a charming little melt and pour soap project with lots of handmade gift appeal. It is simple enough for beginners, pretty enough for gifting, and has that cozy apple pie scent that makes it especially lovely for autumn, holiday markets, and homemade Christmas gifts.

Have you read?

Leave a Reply