DIY After Sun Treatments for Your Skin
Homemade after sun sprays and lotions with aloe vera, witch hazel and essential oils to cool and comfort skin after time in the sun.
In this guide
A homemade aftersun is quick to make with aloe vera, witch hazel, coconut oil and a few drops of lavender or peppermint. These natural after sun recipes help cool, calm and moisturise skin after a day outdoors. Below are 4 easy DIY after sun lotions and sprays, plus what each ingredient does and how to use them safely.
Key takeaways
- The best natural after sun ingredients are aloe vera, witch hazel, coconut oil, vitamin E and gentle oils such as lavender.
- Peppermint gives a cooling feel, but use it sparingly and swap it for spearmint around children under 6.
- The two sprays are the fastest to make. The two lotions feel richer on dry, sun-exposed skin.
- Make recipes with aloe vera or witch hazel in small batches, keep them in the fridge and use them within a couple of weeks.
- Never put essential oils on skin neat, keep them off broken skin and always patch test first.
Why make a homemade aftersun?
After a long winter, our skin has spent months covered up in layers. That first proper day in the sun can leave it feeling hot, tight or a little pink. Even if you did not catch the sun, it is worth giving your skin a treat.
A DIY after sun lotion lets you choose every ingredient. You can keep it simple and natural, make it at home, or prepare it in advance to take on a trip if you like to rely on homemade cosmetics.
Simple first aid for sunburn: what to use instead of aftersun
Out and about with no aftersun to hand? Plain natural yoghurt and fresh aloe vera straight from the plant are both classic, gentle stand-bys to cool the skin.
The best fix is to avoid sunburn in the first place. Staying out of the midday sun, roughly between 11am and 3pm, goes a long way. Then, once you are home, reach for one of the recipes below.
Pro tip
Keep your aftersun in the fridge. A chilled spray or lotion feels extra cooling on warm skin, and it helps blends with aloe vera or witch hazel stay fresh for longer.
4 DIY after sun lotion and spray recipes
All four recipes use simple ingredients you can find in most health shops. Start with a spray if you want something quick, or try a lotion for extra moisture.
1. After Sun Spray With Witch Hazel
Best for: a light, refreshing spray after a day outside
- 2 tbsp Coconut oil
- 1 tbsp Witch hazel
- 8 drops Lavender oil
- 8 drops Tea tree oil
- 8 drops Frankincense oil
Mix the essential oils first, then add the witch hazel and shake. Add the coconut oil and shake again. It is ready to use straight away.
2. After Sun Spray With Essential Oils
Best for: a cooling, floral spray you can top up
- 10 drops Lavender oil
- 10 drops Frankincense oil
- 5 drops Geranium oil
- 3 drops Peppermint oil
- To top up Coconut oil
- 2 oz (60ml) Glass spray bottle
Add the essential oils to the bottle, then top it up with coconut oil. Shake well and spray as needed.
3. After Sun Lotion With Aloe Vera and Witch Hazel
Best for: soothing, moisturising care for the whole family
- 1/4 cup Aloe vera
- 2 tbsp Witch hazel
- 2 tbsp Fractionated coconut oil
- 1/2 tsp Vitamin E
- 10 drops Lavender oil
- 2 drops Peppermint oil (use spearmint around children under 6)
Combine the aloe vera, witch hazel and vitamin E, then stir in the fractionated coconut oil. Add the essential oils last, shake well and apply as needed.
4. After Sun Lotion With Aloe Vera Gel
Best for: a rich, creamy lotion for dry, sun-exposed skin
- 3 tbsp Aloe vera gel
- 2 tbsp Coconut oil
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 tbsp Cocoa butter
- 15 drops Lavender oil
Gently melt the coconut oil and cocoa butter together, then let them cool slightly. Stir in the olive oil and aloe vera gel, add the lavender and whisk until smooth. Store in a clean jar.
What does each after sun ingredient do?
Each ingredient brings something different to the blend. Here is a quick guide, so you can swap things in and out with confidence.
| Ingredient | What it does | Used in |
|---|---|---|
| Aloe vera | Moisturising, and a long-standing favourite for cooling skin after a day outdoors | Recipes 3 and 4 |
| Witch hazel | Refreshing and astringent, with a clean, cooling feel on the skin | Recipes 1 and 3 |
| Coconut oil | Moisturises and helps carry the essential oils | All four recipes |
| Vitamin E | A well-known antioxidant used to condition and nourish dry skin | Recipe 3 |
| Olive oil | Rich and conditioning | Recipe 4 |
| Lavender | A gentle, calming aroma and a classic skincare oil | All four recipes |
| Peppermint | Brings a cooling sensation | Recipes 2 and 3 |
| Frankincense | A treasured skincare oil with a warm, resinous scent | Recipes 1 and 2 |
| Geranium | Nurturing, with a soft floral note | Recipe 2 |
| Tea tree | A fresh, clean oil often used in skincare | Recipe 1 |
You can find every oil in these recipes in our essential oils collection.
Is witch hazel good for sunburn?
Witch hazel is refreshing and astringent, and many people love its clean, cooling feel on warm skin. That is why it features in two of the recipes above. Mixed with aloe vera and lavender, it makes a light, soothing after sun lotion.
Look for an alcohol-free witch hazel if your skin is dry or sensitive, as alcohol can feel stingy on sun-warmed skin.
Can you use coconut oil after sun?
Yes. Coconut oil moisturises the skin and helps carry the essential oils, so it is the base of all four recipes. It works best once your skin has cooled down, as a softening layer to stop it feeling dry and tight.
Pro tip
Ordinary coconut oil turns solid when it is cool. For the sprays, fractionated coconut oil stays liquid, so it sprays more easily straight from the bottle.
How to use essential oils after sun safely
Safety first
Always dilute essential oils in a carrier as the recipes describe. Never apply them neat, keep them away from the eyes and broken skin, and patch test before wider use.
- Peppermint can be intense on the skin, so use it sparingly. If a recipe irritates your skin, peppermint may be the cause. Remake it with spearmint or leave it out.
- Take extra care with young children. Swap peppermint for spearmint around children under 6.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, check with a qualified practitioner first.
- If your skin blisters, or you feel unwell, dizzy or feverish after too much sun, speak to a doctor or pharmacist.
- Always choose high-quality essential oils and natural carrier oils.
For more natural skincare ideas, try our frankincense and myrrh face cream or our guide to the top 3 essential oils for skin.
FAQs
How do you make homemade aftersun?
Mix aloe vera, witch hazel and a carrier oil such as coconut oil, then add a few drops of lavender or peppermint. The After Sun Lotion With Aloe Vera and Witch Hazel above is a great place to start.
What is a natural alternative to after sun lotion?
Fresh aloe vera from the plant and plain natural yoghurt are both classic, gentle stand-bys to cool the skin. For something you can keep in a bottle, try one of the DIY sprays above.
How long do homemade aftersun blends last?
The oil-based sprays and balms keep longest. Any recipe with aloe vera, witch hazel or water is best made in small batches, kept in the fridge and used within a couple of weeks.
Which essential oils are good for after sun care?
Lavender is the classic choice for a gentle, calming feel. Peppermint brings a cooling sensation, while frankincense and geranium are treasured skincare oils. Always dilute them.
Can I use these recipes on children?
Take extra care with little ones. Swap peppermint for spearmint, or leave the mint out, dilute well and patch test first. Check with a qualified practitioner if you are unsure.
What can I use instead of peppermint?
Spearmint gives a gentler cooling note. You can also leave the mint out and rely on lavender and aloe vera for a soothing, cooling feel.
Do I have to dilute the essential oils?
Yes, always. Keep to the drop counts given and blend the oils into the carrier oils, aloe or witch hazel. Never apply essential oils neat to the skin.
Which recipe is best for a quick fix?
The two sprays come together fastest, as you simply combine and shake. The lotions take a little longer but feel richer and more conditioning.
The bottom line
A natural after sun is easy to make at home with aloe vera, witch hazel, coconut oil and a few drops of lavender. Keep it in the fridge, use it within a couple of weeks and always dilute your oils. Find every oil you need in our essential oils collection, or browse our ready-made natural skincare.
