To protect and/or repair your skin from potential sun damage, eat food that contains high amounts of antioxidants and « skin vitamins ». As you already surely know, most of the things our body needs are in food. So eat food that is high in:

Antioxidants: you will find them in many fruits like apricots, mangoes, strawberries and other red fruits like tomatoes. Enjoy all of those before and after Summer to strengthen your skin defenses.

Beta carotene: it is a red-yellowish pigment that comes from the carotenoid family. You’ll find it in carrots, watermelons, apricots, mangoes, red and yellow peppers, to name a few. It is full of precious antioxidants, it preserves the cells’ health and strength, helping to “neutralize” free radicals. We also call it provitamin A.

Vitamin C: also called ascorbic acid, you’ll find it in oranges, lemons, kiwis and mandarins. In addition to boosting your metabolism when feeling down, it helps to prevent premature skin aging due to sun exposure. Be careful, Vitamin C is very sensitive, so you should eat the fruit not more than 5 minutes after it’s cut.

Vitamin E: it is one of the best for healing wounds; it also protects the liver and acts like an antioxidant. Nuts, grains, wheatgerm, all the grain-based oils, and green leafy vegetables are also good sources of vitamin E.

This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Don’t use essential oils if you are pregnant or nursing. Keep them away from children and babies. Please refer to my « Do’s and Don’ts section » prior to creating my DIY recipes:)

I hope you will have fun playing and experimenting with all these wonderful healing raw materials.

Treat and love yourself first, then share with everyone around you! Enjoy!!

Before you start, first check out my list of do’s and don’ts…

Prefer certified organic ingredients. If you cannot find 100% organic essential oils, vegetal oils or resins (sometimes, they just don’t exist), make sure to select 100% pure and natural raw materials. Read the labels carefully and do not hesitate to ask the shop assistant for some help.

When I suggest vegetal oils that you have never heard about, please know that you can always replace them by more “common” ones like sweet almond oil, which is very easy to find.

It is good to use glass bottles to prepare and store your recipes. It is preferable to choose bottles made of dark glass, because they protect the mixture from sunlight. Also, always keep the bottles in a cool, dry place.

These are some of the brands that I recommend:

For essential oils, go for the certified organic ones. I like Pranarom, Auracacia, among others. Check the labels and how pure the oils are.

For vegetal oils, also go for organic ones or 100% pure and natural. Good ones to go for are from Auracacia or Melvita because their containers are really handy.

Where to find your raw materials: organic food stores, pharmacies, online

Picture: Stephan Abry

I know you know, because you are smart and educated people, but I am only sharing some advice, personal tips, knowledge and experience. Don’t use my recipes if you have any known allergies to any of  their ingredients. Also, test the mixture on your inner wrist first to see if any redness or other reactions appear. If so, then don’t use it at all. Avoid sun exposure after you have applied the mixture (at least for 4 hours after), to avoid photosensitivity or any skin reaction). If you are pregnant or nursing, please ask your doctor for individual safety recommendations. I don’t undertake any responsibility in case my recipes are misused, as well as all the consequences that can occur.

Disclaimer:
All information within this site is for education purposes only and are not intended to substitute the advice given by a doctor, a pharmacist, or any other licensed health-care professional. My recipes are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any health condition or disease.