Wendyl's rose sunscreen

Wendyl Nissen prepares her homemade 'Rose All Natural Sunscreen' as a Christmas present. Photo / Janna Dixon

When it comes to the sun I encourage everyone to act like a Nana and stay out of it. But if you do have to be in the glare you need to first watch out for the chemicals in sunscreens.

These chemicals have minimal toxic effects when you first put them on the skin, but when exposed to sunlight the chemicals heat up and reactions occur which can be harmful.

This recipe is from my new book Mother's Little Helper. I can't and won't give a guarantee but I wore it in Vanuatu for a week recently and didn't burn once, and I have a medium complexion. So I'm giving it to all my family to try this year. Apply every few hours and after swimming.

Rose sunscreen

75ml cold-pressed sesame oil (not the one you cook with or you'll smell like a takeaway)
45g coconut oil or cocoa butter
15g beeswax
120ml water
2 Tbsp zinc oxide powder (you can buy this online)
1 Tbsp wheat germ oil
1 tsp citric acid (from supermarket baking aisle)
20 drops rose essential oil

1. Melt the oils and the beeswax together In a double boiler or put them in a bowl over boiling water in a saucepan.

2. Take off the heat and add the water, mixing with an electric mixer until thick and creamy. Then add the zinc oxide, wheat germ oil and citric acid. Stir then add the rose oil.

3. Over time this will start leaching water - just drain it off. Store in a screwtop jar.