10 Best Plants Used for Sunscreen

Ever heard about Plants Used for Sunscreen? These plants here are your best bet to shield yourself from the sun naturally!

Sunscreen lotions play a vital role to protect the skin from the harmful UV sun rays. Since major chemical present in the lotion sometimes doesn’t suit every skin type, so here are some Plants Used for Sunscreen with their fruit pulp, oil, extract that work as a natural option. These herbaceous plants have a proven effect on sunburn and suntan. But, you should not rely on one oil or extract, as the composition of sunscreen calls for various ingredients.

Note: The article enlists some natural DIY Sunscreen and herbal face pack remedies that you can try, but there is no guarantee of their 100% effectiveness. As the SPF of sunscreen lotions is high compared to the DIY home remedies.

Plants Used for Sunscreen

1. Indian Doomba Oil tree

Botanical name: Calophyllum inophyllum

The oil extracted from this tree has a multitude of medicinal uses. Its attribute of absorbing UV rays makes it an ideal candidate for a sunscreen. Even more, apart from working as a UV filter, it is nontoxic by nature. Hence, there is no side effect if it penetrates the eyes or nose mistakenly.

2. Indian Gooseberry

Botanical name: Phyllanthus Emblica

Rich in polyphenols, amino acid, gallic acid, and vitamin C, this fruit has strong antioxidant activities against the UV penetration and anti-aging. But since polyphenols have limited penetration to the skin, consequently its topical use is not effective. But, various herbal sunscreen companies use its extract for manufacturing.

Tip: Blend 1 teaspoon of honey and lemon juice, and add 1 tablespoon of amla pulp in it. Apply it on the skin as a face pack and rinse after 20 minutes for removing suntan.

3. Aloe Vera

Botanical name: Aloe barbadensis miller

Blessed with antioxidant, antibacterial, and UV resistance properties, aloe vera tops this list. The fleshy leaves of this plant contain a gel that is packed with multiple vitamins, minerals, and folic acid. This gel plays a vital role in the manufacturing of lotions, sunscreens, etc. Its antioxidants react with free radicals that work against UV absorption.

Tip: Cut a healthy leave from close to the stem, trim the outer prickly skin, and collect the gel. Mix the gel with carrot seed or avocado oil to use as a sunscreen. Keep the gel in refrigerator, and apply its cubes on the skin.

4. Tomato

Botanical name: Solanum lycopersicum

Thanks to the powerful antioxidant compound known as carotene lycopene that blocks the penetration of UV radiation. Its rejuvenating extract finds extensive uses in cosmetics and sunscreens. It can be easily grown at homes and used for culinary and sunscreen purposes. A study proved that prolonged consumption of tomato paste protects the skin from UV rays damage. It is one of the best Plants Used for Sunscreen.

Tip: For topical face pack, mix tomato extract with cucumber juice, and apply it on the skin with a cotton ball. Then, rinse the skin with water after 15-minutes.

5. Walnut

Botanical name: Juglans

Walnut is the seed of the drupe fruit that people consume as a nut. But, its extract oil is an effective UV blocker, therefore widely used as sunscreen agents. Its compound juglone reacts with the keratin proteins present in the skin. That keeps the skin safe from the harmful UV damage. However, do not to use it purely as a sunscreen.

Tip: Read the DIY recipe to make natural sunscreen with walnut at home.

6. Green Tea leaves

Botanical name: Camellia sinensis

The evergreen shrub of camellia finds major uses in producing tea. But, the compounds like catechins, vitamin E, carotenoids, and polyphenolic present in it have great antioxidant properties. Therefore, these leaves find uses as a herbal screening agent. This is the best natural plant we can use as a sunscreen.

Tip: Take 2 teaspoons of tea leaves and put it in the half cup of water overnight. Then, in the morning squeeze the mixture and use the liquid as a natural sunscreen, whenever you go out.

7. Coconut

Botanical name: Cocos nucifera

Belonging to the palm family, coconut tree yields nutritious fruit. The oil of coconut soothes the skin, treat eczema, and prevents the skin from the UV rays damage. According to research, pure coconut oil has SPF around 7, which is not ample to protect from the harmful UV rays. So, better don’t use it alone if staying out for long.

Tip: Mix a half cup of virgin coconut oil with 1-teaspoon of red raspberry oil and zinc oxide and use it as a sunscreen.

8. Marigold

Botanical name: Calendula officinalis

Commonly grown as an ornamental plant in hedges and borders, the flower of Calendula has medicinal properties. The oil of this flower is extracted by soaking it in the carrier oil. Hence, various suntan lotions and ointments use its oil. Effective in treating acne, anti-aging, and suntan, the marigold oil can be an option as a UV filter.

9. Lemon

Botanical name: Citrus limonum

The pale green-yellow lemon, with a fresh tone, is a rich source of Vitamin C and multiple antioxidants. It removes dead skin and has bleaching and emollient effect on sunburnt skin. Hence, it plays a significant role in sunscreen and anti-tone lotions. It is one of the best Plants Used for Sunscreen.

Tip: For removing tan, mix lemon juice with gram flour and apply this face pack on the skin. Then, rinse it off after 15 minutes.

10. Manjistha

Botanical name: Rubia cordifolia

The root of the plant is popular as a herbal drug in Ayurveda. The significant compounds like flavonoids, free alizarin, glycoside present in Manjistha or Indian Madder are beneficial for the skin. It treats a multitude of skin problems like eczema, sunburn, suntan, and pigmentation. Therefore, multiple sunscreen companies find it a great herbal option for sunscreens.