Looking for sunburn relief? This soothing after-sun lotion is exactly what you need! It is made with moisturizing coconut oil, aloe vera gel, and essential oils that will leave your skin soft and cool.
Summer is my favorite season, hands down. I love getting the kids outside and soaking up all that vitamin D. We spend most of the warm sunny days outside all day long. Most of the time, I lather the kids up in my homemade sunscreen and put hats on them, but sometimes I forget about myself. Or we get a little too much sun. This after-sun lotion works perfectly for soothing that sun-kissed skin.
Whether we are at the beach or on a float trip, having this sunburn cream on hand is a must. It is made with all-natural ingredients that can soothe sunburned skin.
The ingredients will moisturize the skin and can help it to heal faster. Using an after sun spray or lotion can help the skin from peeling too.
PIN IT FOR LATER
BEST LOTION FOR SUNBURN
Making your own lotion is much easier than you might think. All you really need to do is melt ingredients in a double boiler; you can make your own by placing a glass bowl over a pot of boiling water, let it cool and then whip it up with a hand mixer.
When you make your sunburn cream, you ensure that the ingredients you are using are safe for your skin and your children’s skin. This recipe shares many of the same ingredients as my whipped body butter and homemade lotion bars, but with added aloe vera gel. Aloe vera is known for its amazing properties for sunburned skin, so I had to add that in.
All you will need for this after sun lotion is coconut oil, beeswax, cocoa butter, olive oil, pure aloe vera gel, and essential oils. The essential oils are optional, but I find peppermint oil to be very cooling on sun-kissed skin.
AFTER SUN LOTION INGREDIENTS
COCONUT OIL
Coconut oil is so amazing for the skin and it is found in almost all of my skincare products. It is great for making lotion because it can be melted and reharden; it is the perfect consistency for homemade lotions and salves.
Coconut oil is a natural antibacterial, anti-fungal, and excellent moisturizer for dry skin. It may help reduce itching and peeling that is associated with sunburned skin.
BEESWAX
Beeswax is another one of those ingredients that you will want to have on hand when you start making your own skincare products. Not only does it have amazing benefits for the skin, but it also helps to thicken and give homemade lotion the correct consistency.
With it’s antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties, this ingredient can be very helpful for sunburned, chapped, or dry skin. It forms a protective wall by sealing moisture in the skin without clogging up the pores.
COCOA BUTTER
Cocoa butter is the fat that comes from cocoa beans, and it smells absolutely delicious, in my opinion. Cocoa butter naturally moisturizes the skin and heals dry, chapped skin. It makes the after sun lotion smell so good!
OLIVE OIL
Olive oil can do wonders for peeling, red, sunburned skin. In fact, if you have nothing else, you can use straight olive oil to help with sunburned skin. Rub a thin layer of olive oil over the area of concern and let it soak into the skin. It can help to reduce pain and peeling.
PURE ALOE VERA GEL
Aloe has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and moisturizing properties. It has been used as a natural sunburn remedy for many years.
Studies have shown that aloe can help heal damaged skin and wounds because it improves blood circulation. Aloe can improve collagen production and prevent cell death around a wound. Using aloe will keep the skin moist, which will keep it protected.
It is best to use aloe vera gel rather than aloe vera liquid. The liquid is more intended for internal use. Whereas, the gel is known to be better for skin imperfections.
ESSENTIAL OILS
My favorite essential oil for sun-kissed skin is peppermint. Other mint oils like wintergreen and spearmint can be used too. All of these essential oils can have a nice cooling effect on the skin.
It is important to dilute essential oils before applying them topically; adding them to this lotion will make them diluted and safe to use.
HOW TO MAKE LOTION
INGREDIENTS
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon beeswax
- 1 tablespoon cocoa butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup pure aloe vera gel
- 10 drops peppermint essential oil
INSTRUCTIONS
- Add the coconut oil, beeswax, cocoa butter, and olive oil to a double boiler. Melt over medium heat.
- Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool. It will harden slightly, but shouldn’t be firm. This will take a few hours. You can put the bowl in the refrigerator to speed up the process.
- Add in the aloe vera gel slowly while mixing with a hand mixer.
- Add in essential oil and continue to mix until aloe vera gel is completely mixed into the oils and wax.
- Store in an airtight container.
HOW TO USE AFTER SUN LOTION
When your skin is dry, cracked, red, or sunburned, massage a small amount of the lotion into the area of concern. Let it soak into the skin and add more if needed. You can use this lotion often to soothe skin.
TIPS FOR MAKING ALL-NATURAL LOTION
Make sure the aloe vera gel is room temperature. If you typically store it in the refrigerator, measure out one cup and set it out before making the lotion.
If you are using a bar of beeswax, you can cut it into small chunks or shred it with a cheese grater to make measuring one tablespoon easier. Or you can use beeswax pellets.
Don’t add the essential oils until the mixture is completely cooled; this will preserve the therapeutic properties.
Add the aloe vera slowly to make mixing it into the oils and wax easier.
Be sure to check out my new sunscreen lotion bar recipe. It’s a great easy application sunscreen.
Soothing After Sun Lotion
Materials
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon beeswax
- 1 tablespoon cocoa butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup pure aloe vera gel
- 10 drops peppermint essential oil
Tools
- Double boiler
- Hand Mixer
Instructions
- Add the coconut oil, beeswax, and cocoa butter to a double boiler. Melt over medium heat.
- Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool. It will harden slightly, but shouldn't be firm. This will take a few hours. You can put the bowl in the refrigerator to speed up the process.
- Add in the aloe vera gel slowly while mixing with a hand mixer.
- Add in essential oil and continue to mix until aloe vera gel is completely mixed into the oils and wax.
- Store in an airtight container.
Jennifer says
Could you use Shea Butter instead of Cocoa Butter?
Laura says
Yes!
Vivianne says
Any recommendations for people that don’t have a hand blender? Will using a whisk work? Or an immersion blender on low speed?
Laura says
Yes, either will work!
Julie M Chapman says
Can you substitute almond oil instead of olive oil? I ran out of EVOO but have almond oil.
Laura says
Yes you can!
Anna says
I have also read that sweet almond oil is great for sunburn!
Lydia Diaz says
thank you I like all of your information and videos.
Danae Dekker says
This is a great solution for Summer, here in Australia it’s inevitable that we get sunburned. I feel like i might have to make this and double it as an everyday moisturiser for me and my family! Do you have a sunscreen recipe too?
Laura says
Yes, I do! Search “sunscreen” in my search bar at the top of my blog.
Hannah says
This sounds amazing! Is it very greasy? That is always my issue with homemade lotion…..
Laura says
I find it rubs in pretty well!
Tallia says
I’m going to have to give this recipe a try! I love that it has moisturizing elements added with the aloe Vera to soothe the skin.
Maria says
Yes, just in time for summer! I actually just needed some the other day. Sadly had to use store bought. Thanks for the recipe!
Alexa says
I love using peppermint as a cooler. I don’t have any beeswax but we use coconut oil and shea butter. I imagine the beeswax is amazing!
Christina says
Hi! I can’t wait to make this. But can anyone tell me where I can get beeswax? Thank you!
Laura says
I get it on amazon. I have it linked in the post.
Lesley says
What size container do I need?
Laura says
It makes about 2 cups.
Beth says
This is a life saver and it’s so easy! It’s perfect for my family. We love being outside but end up with sunburns, but this is so great! I’m bookmarking this!
Laura says
I am so glad you like it!
Lindsay Cotter says
This is going to come in handy for this summer!
Wilhelmina says
This is so soothing! The perfect thing after a day at the lake!
Laura says
I am so glad!
esty says
hi!
do u have information and diy for pregnent/ labor/ delivery/ and after birth suitable for labourcouch
to give the ladys they go with
thank u i like your site
esty
Laura says
Yes, I do! You can search what you are looking for in the search bar at the top of my blog and it will pop up.
Olga says
Hi,
Looks like my question posted a week ago has disappeared, so will ask again.
As the recipe uses Aloe Vera Gel (alternative to water), do you not require to preserve the product?
Thanks
Laura says
You can add vitamin E oil for a natural preservative to make it last longer. Or you can store it in the refrigerator to extend shelf life. Hope that helps!
Andrea says
hi, can I use aloe vera straight from the plant instead of the aloe vera gel?
Laura says
Yes, you can!
Desiree says
What is the shelf life of this lotion?
Christy Whited says
I tried to make this lotion but has split since I added the aloe Vera gel. The only substitute I used was shea butter and added a tiny bit of vitamin E. At the moment, I’m using my kitchen aid with the whip attachment to see if prolonged whipping will work. Any recommendations? Thanks!
Jenn says
Hello, how long is this lotion good for? Can I make a big batch and use it all summer long?
Thanks
Laura says
Good up to 6 months.
Fran says
What is the shelf life of this lotion? Thank you for the wonderful recipes ♡
Laura says
It is good for up to 6 months.
Dana says
My aloe Vera separated a little bit ,is that ok?
Beverly Fasasie says
Hi
Love all your products.
If I use The Aloe plant in this recipe. How long will it last for. Do I keep it in the fridge.
Laura says
Keeping it in the fridge is best and will make it more soothing!
Constantina says
Can I use mango butter instead of cocoa?
Laura says
Yes
Constantina says
Hello again! If I use fresh aloe gel from my plant is the shelf life of the product the same? Up to 6 months? Thx
Laura says
Yes
Jordan Burrows says
How long does this store for? Also where is best to store it?
Sara says
I just made this lotion and it is liquid after incorporating the aloe Vera. Any suggestions on what I can do to thicken it?
Laura says
Hm, thats interesting. Were you able to use aloe vera gel, not aloe vera juice?
Nicole says
The same thing happened to me. I used aloe straight from the plant and it’s not setting up that well…
Sara says
Yes, I double checked and I used aloe vera gel. I let it sit longer in the fridge and was able to whip it up more, but now it is like a whipped cream texture. When you touch it, it is fluffy but doesn’t stick to your finger lol. I am sure that I overwhipped it trying to whip it.
Laura says
Yes, sounds like it is a little over whipped. You can melt it down and do it again!