That all changed when I went to a conference in Denver, CO. The day before we left for the conference, I had gone boating and used sunscreen as I always had while boating. The next afternoon, we started the 8-hour drive to Denver from our home (at the time) in southern Minnesota. Half way there, my face and arms started to itch very badly and then began to swell.
We stopped at a pharmacy along the way and I picked up some allergy medicine and talked with the pharmacist there. They gave me an over-the-counter allergy medicine and said it should clear up overnight.
It did not. It got much, much worse. At the conference on Monday, my face, neck and arms had ballooned up and itched even worse. By Tuesday morning, my neck began to swell with giant welts that grew up the side of my face.
I was in trouble. I was directed to the conference doctor, who upon examining me and getting my history of sunscreen use, called in a prescription to a strong steroid. He said the welts were starting to form inside my neck and were sure to cut off my breathing by midnight. He also said I should never use sunscreen again until I determine which chemical I had the reaction to. I was scared at that point, but the steroids worked and the swelling was slightly reduced by morning and the itching was starting to clear up.
Going on from there, I had to find a solution because I was getting badly burned and I wasn't about to give up boating.
I did find a solution and it's better than any sunscreen I've ever used....and it's chemical-free! The main sun-blocking ingredient is zinc oxide and since it's a mineral, not a chemical, it does not harm my skin. I tested it and had no reaction.
I took the opportunity to add frankincense to it because frankincense is so incredibly good for skin. I love essential oils for their versatility.
My recipe:
1/2 cup avocado oil
1/4 cup cocoa butter
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup beeswax
1/4 cup non-nano zinc oxide (found on Amazon)
15 drops frankincense essential oil
Melt all ingredients except frankincense in a double boiler until smooth. Cool slightly. Add frankincense and stir. Pour into desired containers and let set. One batch lasts us all summer.
Happy oiling!
~Tricia
