Hey guys, can we debunk this carrot seed oil SPF myth? Someone I know just shared a Pinterest “non-toxic sunscreen” recipe on Facebook, and I’m worried her kids might get sunburned. Does anyone know of a good, non-confrontational source I can share to explain this? The recipe claims SPF 40 with 1/4 cup coconut oil, 20 drops carrot seed oil, and 10 drops lavender oil.
Hey, I did some digging, and essential oils aren’t sunscreens. Coconut oil and other carrier oils don’t really absorb UV rays, they mostly let them through. Carrier oils block only about 20% to 30% of UV rays, so they definitely don’t offer enough protection. I found this article that breaks it down clearly: Carrier oils do not absorb UV rays and transmit most of the rays. Hope this helps!
Thanks Flippa, This is exactly what I needed. I usually ignore those “non-toxic” posts, but I couldn’t let this one go.
Coconut oil does provide a natural SPF, but it’s quite low. According to this study, coconut oil has an SPF of approximately 7 (Table 3). Lavender oil, on the other hand, has an SPF of around 5.
I couldn’t find a definitive source for the SPF of carrot oil, but according to a PDF article, it’s estimated to be about 38-40.
Assuming these values are accurate, mixing coconut oil and carrot oil will not give you SPF 40. That’s not how it works. At best, it might provide a protection level somewhere between 7 and 40. The reason commercial sunscreens are preferred is because they undergo rigorous testing to verify their SPF claims. Homemade sunscreens lack this assurance—you can’t be sure of the actual SPF, how well it’s mixed, or if it provides adequate UVA and UVB protection.
There are “natural” sunscreens available for purchase that provide a guarantee of protection. For instance, one product contains only zinc oxide, sunflower oil, beeswax, jojoba oil, and vitamin E. With these, you know you’re getting effective protection. Homemade alternatives don’t offer this assurance.