After sun treatments for the skin DIY

Here comes the sun. It is a blessing after the long absence of its warming touch on the skin. Everything fills with light, our mood lifts, and we feel energetic and positive about life and the world around us.

We fall back in love with the flowers, the fresh air, the outdoors and the people around us. The wheel of life turns on, the drive returns, and the darker days feel a world away. Our body, though, is still recovering and needs a little care. After a long winter our skin can be especially sensitive, having spent months covered up in layers. That first proper contact with the sun sometimes ends in a touch of sunburn. Even if you did not catch the sun, it is worth giving your skin a treat, because sunshine is wonderful but can be harsh too. The good news is that there are very easy aftersun treatments you can make at home, or prepare in advance to take with you on a trip if you like to rely on homemade cosmetics.

Simple First Aid for Sunburn

If you are out and about, plain natural yoghurt and fresh aloe vera straight from the plant are both classic, gentle stand-bys to cool the skin. Staying out of the midday sun, roughly between 11am and 3pm, also goes a long way towards avoiding sunburn in the first place. Below you will find several DIY recipes for aftersun lotions and sprays you can make at home.

After Sun Spray With Witch Hazel

Ingredients
2 tablespoons of Coconut Oil
1 tablespoon of Witch Hazel
8 drops of Lavender Essential Oil
8 drops of Tea Tree Essential Oil
8 drops of Frankincense Essential Oil
Directions
Mix the essential oils first, then add the witch hazel and shake. Add the coconut oil and shake again. Ready to use!

After Sun Spray With Essential Oils

Ingredients
2 oz glass spray bottle
10 drops of Lavender essential oil
10 drops of Frankincense essential oil
5 drops of Geranium essential oil
3 drops of Peppermint essential oil
Directions
Top up with Coconut Oil. Shake and spray as needed!

After Sun Lotion With Aloe Vera and Witch Hazel

Ingredients
2 tablespoons of witch hazel
1/4 cup of aloe vera
1/2 teaspoon of vitamin E
2 tablespoons fractionated coconut oil
10 drops lavender essential oil
2 drops peppermint essential oil (substitute spearmint for use on and around children under 6)
Directions
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.

After Sun Lotion With Aloe Vera Gel

Ingredients
3 tablespoons Aloe Vera gel
1 tablespoon Olive Oil
2 tablespoons Coconut Oil
1 tablespoon Cocoa Butter
15 drops of Lavender essential oil

Directions
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.

Why These Ingredients?

Each ingredient in these recipes brings something different to the blend. Witch hazel is refreshing and astringent, with a clean, cooling feel on the skin. Aloe vera is moisturising and a long-standing favourite for cooling skin after a day outdoors. Vitamin E oil is a well-known antioxidant often used to condition and nourish dry skin. Coconut oil and other carrier oils moisturise and help carry the essential oils, while olive oil is rich and conditioning. Lavender essential oil has a gentle, calming aroma and is a classic skincare oil; peppermint essential oil brings a cooling sensation; frankincense is a treasured skincare oil with a warm, resinous scent; and geranium is nurturing with a soft floral note.

Safe-Use Notes

Peppermint can be intense on the skin, so use it sparingly. It is the cooling sensation that makes it popular for aftersun blends, but a little goes a long way. If your skin feels irritated by any recipe, peppermint may be the cause; remake the blend with spearmint instead, or simply leave it out. 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. Take extra care during pregnancy, while breastfeeding, and with young children, and check with a qualified practitioner if unsure. Always choose high-quality essential oils and natural carrier oils. Nature provides!

FAQs

How long do these homemade aftersun blends last?

The oil-based sprays and balms keep longest. Any recipe containing aloe vera, witch hazel or water is best made in small batches, stored in the fridge, and used within a couple of weeks.

Can I use these recipes on children?

Take extra care with little ones. Swap peppermint for spearmint, or leave the mint out altogether, 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, or you can simply 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 on dry, sun-exposed skin.