DIY After Sun Lotion Recipe (Soothing & Moisturizing)

How do you take care of your skin after a full day of fun in the sun? Easy: use this fabulous DIY after sun lotion.

Since I’ve been learning about essential oils, I have become inspired to use my oils everywhere… including helping with sunburn or heavily sun-exposed skin.

Let me tell you, this recipe is a hit! Everyone in my family loves it. We have been using our homemade sunburn lotion regularly as our preferred after sun skin care product. It soothes sunburned skin by cooling, refreshing and moisturizing your skin.

The recipe uses a hydrosol, which makes it kid safe as well. And the Aloe Vera adds that cooling, soothing, and skin smoothing feel. All you need is 5 simple ingredients, a fridge to store this in, and some sun-exposed skin.

Why Use Natural Sunburn Remedies?

Sunburn Remedy Bundle Set
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Many commercial lotions use chemicals that may dry out your skin. Rather than moisturized, your skin can end up more dehydrated.

Ingredients such as Aloe gel and essential oils are staples for natural skin care. By now, they are so popular you can find them in any neighborhood pharmacy. And they’ll never go to waste as many DIY recipes make use of them. The well-known Aloe Vera gel can come to your rescue many of times!

So here’s how I created my very own DIY after sun skin care lotion with my essential oils. It’s effective, inexpensive, and feels luxurious on your sun kissed skin.

After Sun Lotion Recipe

Here’s an easy recipe for a natural after sun lotion to soothe red, patchy, sun-exposed skin.

Ingredients

• 8 oz plastic squeeze bottle
• 4 oz Helichrysum hydrosol
• 2 oz Witch hazel
• 2 oz Aloe Vera jelly
• 28 drops Lavender
• 14 drops Peppermint

Instructions

1. In your 8 oz plastic squeeze bottle, add 4 oz Helichrysum hydrosol.
2. Add 2 oz Witch Hazel.
3. Top off with 2 oz Aloe Vera jelly.
4. Add essential oils.
5. Close the cap, and shake well before use.
6. Squeeze into the palm of your hands, and rub onto sun-exposed or sun burned skin.
7. Use as often as needed, but avoid contact with the eyes.
8. Keep the lotion in your refrigerator for an even more soothing and cooling skin care experience.

This trio is a Sun Help Remedy Set sold at Plant Therapy. It’s 3 of the 5 ingredients I use in my recipe.
Get the Bundle Pricing Here

Why This Recipe Works

Pinkness or redness of the skin, pain, blistering, tenderness and itching are all part of the aftermath of spending too much time in the sun¹. I’d like you to know why and how essential oils and these other natural ingredients work to help relieve sunburn and its associated symptoms.

My DIY after sun lotion recipe uses 5 simple ingredients:

Squeeze Bottle

Cobalt Blue Squeeze Bottles
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I personally like to use small bottles rather than larger ones. The small size allows me to try different recipes and decide which ones I like best, before committing to make a whole big batch.

The dark amber brown or cobalt blue color helps to keep the properties of the essential oils intact. It protects them from sunlight exposure and helps them last longer.

I store my lotion in the fridge, so it’s dark in there, plus the cool temperature adds another level of refreshment when I go to apply my sunburn lotion.

Hydrosol

Hydrosols are a by-product of the essential oil extraction process. Just like essential oils, a genuine hydrosol consists of only one distinct plant species. They are valuable in DIY recipes because they are kid safe, gentle on the skin, and very moisturizing.

Plant Therapy Hydrosols
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The hydrosols smell highly aromatic, equally light and refreshing, and similar to their essential oil counterparts. However, they do not smell as deep as the oils. The fragrance is usually much lighter. Please also know that hydrosols will vary in aroma compared to the essential oil scent you might be familiar with and expect.

As part of this after sun care spray recipe, hydrosol is used as one third of the liquid base.

Plant Therapy offers a small selection of 8 hydrosols:

• Roman Chamomile
• Helichrysum
• Lavender
• Rosemary
• Peppermint
• Rose
• Calendula
• Tea Tree

Shop for them here

Witch Hazel

Aloe Vera Witch Hazel
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Witch hazel is frequently used to deal with various skin troubles. It can soothe mild skin irritations or itching ², and can therefore bring instant relief to a sunburn or inflamed skin.

Using witch hazel on the affected area can lessen healing time, plus prevent your skin from peeling and flaking. Make sure that while shopping for witch hazel, you opt for the alcohol free variety if you plan to use it for skin care.

I personally used the Thayer’s Witch Hazel Original, which is made with an added Aloe Vera formula. Aloe Vera is a powerhouse for skin restoration, so the more of it, the better!

Aloe Vera Jelly

Aloe Vera Jelly from Plant Therapy, 4oz
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Aloe Vera comes from the Aloe Vera plant, which has been used as a herbal remedy for thousands of years. In Ayurvedic practice, it is called the “miracle plant”.

It has soothing and cooling qualities and can especially help in promoting the healing of injured skin tissues.

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) also recommends using a moisturizer containing Aloe Vera to reduce sunburn symptoms ³.

Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender Oil from Plant Therapy
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Lavender oil is considered to be one of the safest essential oils to use; and is one of the few that can be used in products for use on infants.

Lavender is the most common and widely known oil. Lavender makes it possible to maintain and boost skin complexion. In aromatherapy, lavender is known for its relaxing, calming, and tension relieving properties.

When used as part of a skin care regime, it can help reduce the appearance of scars and wrinkles, and soothe skin impurities of all kinds, including sun exposure, minor cuts or scrapes, or minor burns.

Peppermint Essential Oil

Organic Peppermint Oil
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Peppermint is a fresh oil that stimulates the senses and improves energy levels. Because of its menthol content, Peppermint has a lovely cooling effect on the skin and is a perfect companion in a natural sunburn relief recipe.

How to Use After Sun Lotion

Soothe sun kissed skin with homemade after sun lotion

Here are some helpful tips on how to use after sun lotion effectively:

• Timing is key: Apply the lotion as soon as possible after sun exposure. This allows the ingredients to start working their magic and soothe your skin before any discomfort intensifies.
• Cleanse gently: Before applying the after sun lotion, gently cleanse your skin with a mild, soothing cleanser to remove any dirt, sweat, or residue from sunscreen. Pat your skin dry with a soft towel.
• Apply generously: Take a generous amount of the after sun lotion and apply it evenly onto the affected areas of your skin. Massage it in gently using circular motions to ensure the lotion is absorbed properly.
• Pay attention to sensitive areas: Give extra attention to areas that are more prone to sunburn, such as your face, shoulders, chest, and any other areas that were directly exposed to the sun. These areas often need more soothing and hydration.
• Reapply as needed: Depending on the severity of your sunburn, you may need to reapply the lotion every few hours or as necessary to maintain relief. Listen to your body and reapply whenever you feel your skin needs it.
• Keep it cool: For an added cooling effect, you can store the lotion in the refrigerator before applying. The chilled lotion can provide an extra soothing sensation on your warm skin.
• Hydrate from within: While the after sun lotion helps to soothe your skin externally, it’s equally important to stay hydrated internally. Drink plenty of water to replenish lost fluids and support your skin’s natural healing process.

Precautions

Wear sunscreen to prevent sunburn.

• Sun exposure tends to dehydrate a person, which may lead to headaches. Please drink plenty of fluids while you’re outside.
• Wear sunscreen whenever you are likely to be outside and exposed to lots of direct sunlight.
• If you’re allergic to any of the organic products mentioned above, refrain from their usage.
• For children under the age of 6, please consult your health care practitioner for information and guidelines. Also find more information here on age-appropriate aromatherapy.
• Stop using any of the ingredients if you develop symptoms of a local skin reaction, such as increased redness, a rash or itchiness. Seek immediate medical care if you develop symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as a generalized rash or redness, swelling of the lips or tongue, shortness of breath, wheezing, lightheadedness or loss of consciousness.
• A severe sunburn often causes blisters and swelling. When the sunburn involves a large area of the body, a fever, chills, weakness or even loss of consciousness can occur. Seek prompt medical attention if you have a severe sunburn over a large region, especially if you notice any of these additional symptoms.

Final Thoughts

As we enjoy our summertime outside, sometimes we end up with a little sunburn or heavily sun exposed skin at the end of the day. Sunburn is not uncommon, and can be quite painful.

Natural sunburn remedies are gentle on your skin. My after sun lotion is designed to soothe and nourish your skin after sun exposure. You only need a few ingredients to make this DIY essential oil after sun care lotion at home. Simply follow my steps!

If you’ve made this recipe, please share your experience with all of us in the comments below.

Stay sun-safe and enjoy the benefits of your after sun lotion!

Resources

¹ Sunburn Symptoms & Causes – MayoClinic.org
² Witch Hazel Uses & Effectiveness – WebMD.com
³ American Academy of Dermatology – Treating sunburn