Even if you don’t get sunburned, this after-sun salve recipe is a summer essential to hydrate and soothe sunburned skin. Apply after a shower to remove any sunscreen residue. Apply this salve and your skin will absorb the oils and butters, repairing sun-damaged skin while you sleep.
The sun just keeps getting hotter, doesn’t it? Years ago, my grandsons were stuck at an event longer than expected, and while they were having fun outdoors, they brought home an unwanted memory: sunburn.
Heat radiated from their rosy cheeks, shoulders, and noses, and I could see how it was affecting their energy. They were going on vacation the next day, so I mixed up a batch of post-sun ointment to use on my skin all summer long.
Now, my Kiddo always uses the after sun ointment whenever we go camping, or spends more time than necessary in the afternoon sun. This is a staple in my herbal medicine cabinet, easy to make and very effective in treating burns.
Today, we will cover…
Recipe for making after-sun lotion at home
Seriously, this after sun ointment is magic. Keep a batch handy all summer long. Make sure to keep it in the fridge to make it last longer, but also to keep it nice and cool when you apply it to your skin.
Ingredient
See recipe card below for exact measurements
Jump to Recipe
Let’s do it!
Melt oils, butters and beeswax in a double boiler or Turkish coffee pot. Heat over medium heat and stir until oil melts.
Remove from heat as all ingredients are in liquid form. Stir well with essential oils.
Let cool then add aloe vera gel. Mix the gel with the rest and pour into a 2 oz container.
Apply a generous amount of after-sun lotion to the sunburned area and rub it in thoroughly (I know this is hard to do when you have a sunburn!).
Reapply after waking up in the morning or after showering until the sunburn has subsided. If you don’t have a sunburn but have spent a day in the sun, this lotion works well to keep sun-exposed skin soft. Shower to remove sunscreen and apply moisturizer every evening after a day of sun exposure.
Frequently asked questions about after sun care ointment
You absolutely can! I usually use aloe vera gel (this brand) just to extend the shelf life. But if you use fresh aloe vera, you will find it has more powerful healing properties.
For fresh aloe, harvest as directed, then puree with a hand blender to a smooth consistency as per recipe. You will not need any preservatives if using immediately. Store in the refrigerator and discard any remaining ointment after a week or if you notice any strange color or odor.
If you use store-bought aloe vera gel, it will last as long as the earliest expiration date listed on the ingredients (read more about that here). However, I usually try to use my mixture within a month and keep it in the fridge for longer shelf life.
Temperature is key. Once I have melted all the oils, butters, and beeswax, I remove them from the heat as soon as possible so they don’t get too hot. In the meantime, I stir constantly. I add the gel and essential oils after removing them. You also want to make sure the aloe vera gel doesn’t get too cool and solidify the oils and butters before mixing them together.
To avoid lumps, try gently heating the mixture to re-melt it and stir well, using a hand blender if necessary, being careful to stay away from hot oil.
Also, make sure you are using pure aloe vera gel, not the kind that contains additives that can cause a bad reaction.
Aloe Vera After Sun Lotion
This ointment is the perfect addition to your after-sun skin care routine, helping to soothe, cool and heal sunburn.
-
Melt oil, butter, and beeswax in a Turkish coffee pot or double boiler over medium heat. Stir constantly.
-
Once the ingredients are completely melted, remove from heat. Add essential oils and stir well.
-
Let mixture cool before adding aloe vera gel. Mix gel well and pour into 2 oz container.
-
Apply a generous amount to sunburned skin, rubbing gently.
Store in refrigerator when not in use. Lasts about a month.
More ways to beat the heat
