Includes Recipes for Sun Screen, Sun Burn, Bug Bites & Bug Repellent

It’s that time of year when we ready ourselves for Summer. No matter where you are in the country, Summertime is a state of mind. For some of us it is a change to warm weather, others it’s vacation time. No matter where you are Summer is usually the time where we spend more time outdoors. That is why we need a Summertime Survival Kit with Essential Oils.

Since we are spending more time in nature wouldn’t it be better to protect ourselves naturally? Essential Oils can do that. More time outside means more exposure to sun and insects. Essential oils can help with sun burn, as a sun screen, to repel bugs or if you get a bug bite, all without using harmful chemicals and things that can damage your skin. Keep reading and I will share recipes for your Summertime protection.

affiliate disclaimer

Whether we are spending time in the backyard, the park or the beach our biggest issues are sun burn and bug bites. I am going to address protecting the skin from the sun with a screen and if you do get burned a good topical to use. As well as repelling the bugs and what to use if you do get bit.

Sun Screen

The sun while it feels great on our skin, does wonders for our health and positivity it can also do some damage. Damage including dull, dry skin, premature aging and cancer. To read more about the damage to unprotected skin from the sun click here. We can protect our skin naturally with essential oils from sun damage. The first item in our Summertime Survival Kit with Essential Oils is Carrot Seed Oil.

Carrot Seed Essential Oil has so many benefits especially for your skin.

  • It stimulates cell renewal
  • Tightens and rejuvenates the skin
  • Repairs damaged skin
  • It is an antifungal
  • Balances and retains moisture
  • Protects the skin from elements/environment
  • Repairs sun spots and heals wounds
  • Has a SPF of 35 – 40

Using Carrot Seed Oil only will not provide you with full protection. You will need to mix it with a couple items.

Summertime Survival Kit Carrot Seed Essential Oil Sun Screen

Ingredients you will need: Carrot Seed Essential Oil, Coconut Oil and Zinc Oxide The SPF of coconut oil alone is 4 – 6 SPF, Shea Butter SPF 4 – 6 and Zinc Oxide is 2 – 20 SPF based on it’s quality. You can also add some Red Raspberry Seed Oil which has an SPF of 25- 50.

Ingredient List:

  • 1/4 cup Shea Butter
  • 1/4 cup Coconut Oil
  • 2 tablespoons Zinc Oxide
  • 1 teaspoon Carrot Seed Oil
  • 1 teaspoon Red Raspberry Seed Oil (optional)
  • 5 drops Lavender Essential Oil (optional) I add this for the fragrance and the additional skin benefits

Melt the Shea Butter and Coconut Oil over low heat. Either use a double boiler, microwave water in bowl and place another bowl over water bowl or just in a pan over very low heat. DO NOT leave unattended or use too high of heat.

After Shea and Coconut oil are melted stir in other ingredients. Mix well. Slightly cool then transfer to a jar or appropriate container and let fully cool then it is ready to use. I prefer to whip it after it is fully cooled. I just transfer it to my KitchenAid and whip on high then transfer it to a jar with tight seal. I like it whipped as the consistency of the product has a much lighter feel on my skin.

Sun Burn

No one intentionally wants a sun burn, but it happens sometimes. Even with sun screen we can still get a little pink at times. The sun can damage the skin as well as pull out it’s moisture and nutrients. That is why it is always a good idea after time in the sun to put back and use an after sun spray or lotion, even if you aren’t suffering a burn.

Remember there are different degrees of burns. If you are suffering 3rd degree or higher immediately seek medical attention.

Summertime Survival Kit After Sun Spray

This spray is great to apply after a day out in the sun. It will soothe and benefit your skin putting in what the sun took out.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz spray bottle
  • 10 drops Lavender Essential Oil
  • 10 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
  • 10 drops Frankincense Essential Oil
  • 10 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil
  • 15 drops Jojoba Oil
  • Water

Mix ingredients transfer to spray bottle. Use liberally as needed. Shake well before use. This spray works so well because of the amazing benefits of the ingredients.

Lavender will calm inflammation and help soothe skin. It will promote new skin cell growth. This wonderful essential oils will also speed up healing and keep the area clean with it’s antiseptic properties.

Peppermint will temporarily reduce pain. It contains menthol so it will help cool the skin. This minty essential oil will help soothe the skin and leave you feeling regenerated and fresh.

Frankincense will help your skin heal quicker. It’s moisturizing properties will help soothe your skin, bring down inflammation and has antiaging properties.

Tea Tree oil has healing and soothing properties. It can regenerate tissue that has been damaged by the sun. It will soothe the inflamed skin. DO NOT apply Tea Tree oil to the skin prior to sun exposure as it can intensify sun sensitivity.

Jojoba Oil is an excellent oil for skin, it is the closest to our own natural sebum. Jojoba is a great emollient for skin – smoothing and softening. It offers anti-oxidant protection and anti-inflammatory properties to soothe skin.

Bug Repellent

No Summertime Survival Kit with Essential Oils would be complete without addressing the tiniest skin agitator – BUGS. Insect bites are bothersome, itchy, can cause pain and in some cases be dangerous. There are many bug repellents out there – they contain dangerous chemicals. Chemicals that we can’t even pronounce like N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide, Cyfluthrin, and Permethrin. These chemicals while they may be effective in deterring bugs they can have damaging effects to people. These chemicals are linked to neurotoxicity and are shown to breakdown slowly in the environment.

What if you could naturally deter bugs with no damaging effects to your skin, health or the environment? That is what essential oils can do. Essential oils come from nature and can actually provide more benefits. We need to protect ourselves as insects can expose us to many diseases why not do it naturally.

  • Romance Body Wash & Lotion
  • IE Natural Body Products
Summertime Survival Kit Bug Repellent Spray

If you live in an area with a heavy mosquito presence, the Natural Bug Spray is a must have. It has a few ingredients but well worth it. Do not let the number of ingredients deter you this recipe is effective and cost effective.

The ingredients you will need are:

  • Witch Hazel
  • 2 oz glass spray bottle( if you have a larger bottle just increase ingredient amounts accordingly)
  • Oil of lemon eucalyptus
  • Eucalyptus Essential Oil
  • Lemongrass Essential Oil
  • Peppermint Essential Oil
  • Cedarwood Essential Oil
  • Tea Tree Essential Oil

For the complete recipe click here.

Bug Bite Relief Roll on or Spray

If you do happen to get bite by a mosquito, flea or the like you may experience swelling of that area, itching and redness. The itching alone can be enough to drive you batty. There is relief for the symptoms naturally with essential oils.

This relief roll on will provide soothing relief, bring down the inflammation and help it to heal quicker. The ingredients you will need:

  • 2 oz glass roller ball bottle or 2oz glass spray bottle
  • Witch Hazel 1/2 oz
  • Fractionated Coconut Oil 3/4 oz
  • Lavender Essential Oil – 8 drops
  • Lemongrass Essential Oil – 8 drops
  • Basil Essential Oil – 8 drops
  • Peppermint Essential Oil – 5 drops

Mix ingredients together – transfer to bottle. I prefer to use a roller ball as opposed to a spray. With a roller ball you get the ingredients directly on the bite. Shake well before each use.

Why this combo of ingredients?

  • Lavender – antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, natural analgesic and will help heal the skin.
  • Lemongrass – Antimicrobial, reduces swelling, calming
  • Basil – anti-bacterial, antifungal, natural itch relief, speed healing
  • Peppermint – Reduces itch, pain and swelling. It’s cooling effect will feel good on the irritated area
  • Witch Hazel – Anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, reduces skin irritation
  • Fractionated Coconut Oil – Anti-oxidant, disinfects, hydrating.

It is great to spend time outdoors, nature is beautiful and good for our health especially when you have your Summertime Survival Kit with Essential Oils.. Instead of fighting nature by using heavy and harmful chemicals to protect ourselves outside, work with nature. Protect and heal yourself and your skin with the Inviting Effects of essential oils. Check out some of my others posts to learn more ways to use Essential Oils here.