This weekend I will be attended the first Rongoā Māori National Conference as a tauira (student) of the first cohort for Te Wānanga o Aoteroa’s ‘Rongoā Māori Level 5 Diploma’ course.
The conference activities include a variety of activities along with aromatawai (assignments), one of which is to produce a first aid kit within a particular scope and for this task I have chosen ‘Raumati’ (Summer) because we are currently in the season. The weather is getting consistently warmer, although it is a bit up and down but as I write this there are fires burning in Australia out of control as the annual fire season tasks grasp over there. Anyway, not to dwell (saying a little karakia for the flora and fauna over there and moving along).
So, sunscreen – I’d never made it before but after much rangahau (research) I made a recipe and decided to test it and I have to say it’s quite perfect. It’s smooth, it smells nice and it’s on the skin well and it can be made at home. It does require some specific ingredients but I sure you that if you invest in them that overtime you can use them for a wide variety of things to care for your whānau (family).
Why make it?
Well, over the years I have read a lot about sunscreen being linked to all sorts of ill health and some of the ingredients in the store bought stuff has been linked to disease such as allergies, endometriosis and even coming out in mothers breast milk. As a former boob feeder I think important to maintain the quality of the kai (food) and as a boob and baby lover I think it important to protect and care for our whānau by ensuring that we know where our care products come from and how they affect us (to be the best of our knowledge and ability).
Zinc Oxide – stuff to be mindful of.
The only ingredient that I’d ask that you pay particular care with is the Zinc Oxide – don’t by the cheapest you can find and look for uncoated, non-nano, and not micronized. This all means that there are not nano-sized particles entering your body, which many other sunscreens certainly cannot claim. This sunscreen recipe makes a thick, soft butter-like cream. It melts when it hits your skin and it rubs it in beautifully, but it is not thin and runny like other (‘harmful’ chemical-filled) sunscreens.
OK enough kōrero already – get to the recipe already…
Sunscreen Recipe (225 grams):
Utensils/Ingredients:
- Double-boiler (I use a Pyrex dish in a rongoā purpose pot)
- Kitchen Scale (you need to measure this to ensure you get the consistency right)
- Mask (cos of the Zinc Oxide you need to not breathe it in, don’t have the tamariki around)
- Container(s) (to put it in)
- 90g Coconut Oil– Organic, unrefined, virgin
- 30g Rongoā Oil– I’ve used Kawakawa infused Olive Oil in this batch
- 35g General Carrier Oil– I’ve used Sweet Almond Oil (you could actually combine the Rongoā and general carrier oil or not bother with the rongoā oil)
- 28.5g Beeswax– I refine my own but you can use store-bought, but buy locally
- 27.5g Shea Butter – Organic, unrefined
- 40g Zinc Oxide – I suggestion-nano, non-nano, and not micronized
- 1/2t Vitamin E – make sure you know from where it is sourced, especially if you have allergies.
The Process:
- Place your glass bowl on your scale, hit tare.
- Add all ingredients (one-by-one, hitting tare in between) EXCEPT the zinc oxide, which you add at the end.
- Place glass bowl over pot of shallow, slightly simmering H2O.
- Melt ingredients completely (stir with a whisk to help it along).
- Carefully remove from stove and wipe down condensation on bowl (you do not want H2O getting into your product).
- Place bowl on scale, hit tare.
- Add zinc oxide, slowly, until you get to 40g. Again, add this slowly, stirring constantly
- Whisk constantly and then carefully pour into container of your choice.
- This will take a few minutes to set.
- Carefully clean your utensils and ensure that these aren’t used for kai (food prep). Always double clean and sterilise before making anything else – It can be a chore but tikanga (procedures and protocols) such as this are the key to ongoing quality and success.
Mauri Ora – Let me know how you get on
The Amber Glass Jars with Black Lids
I’ve had a lot of questions about where I sourced my jars and where I got them from. I bought them on Amazon and they get shipped straight to my door.
- High Quality Material : Made of thickened glass. It’s stable and high-temperature resistance. With no scratched lids protected in bags
- No Leakage : Perfect inner liner and screw lid create a tight seal to prevent solid or powder leak out. NO MESS AND ZERO WASTE
- Ideal for Travel : Its portable size conveniently fits in your bags or carry on. Ideal for carrying your skincare products on the go
- Multi Use : Great container for DIY creams, body lotion, moisturizers, face masks, exfoliators. Samples of loose leaf teas, spices, herbs, medication and more.
- Safe Package : Cream Jar are packaged in grid-shaped partition with sponge surround and thick carton box to prevent damage in transport.
