My all-natural after sun spray not only soothes and restores your skin, but it’s also super easy and quick to make. With only four ingredients and two minutes to mix up, this little gem is my best sunburn treatment.
Most people think sunny days mean suntans, but when you have fair skin like me, sunny days mean sunburns.
I protect my skin with homemade sunscreen when I’m out for extended periods under the sun, but you can burn on cloudy days and sometimes just a walk to the mailbox (that’s nearly ½ mile away) can be enough to make my skin sensitive to touch.
Most skincare products contain toxins and synthetic chemicals that can negatively affect your hormones. That’s why we make our own sunscreen lotion in the first place (as well as our own Bug Spray and Hand Soap).
Why You’ll Love This DIY After Sun Spray
Instead of spending money on expensive sunburn creams or sunburn sprays (like Sun Bum After Sun Spray or Banan Boat After Sun Spray) that do me more harm than good, I recently created a simple recipe for an after sun body spray.
Great for all skin types, it’s 100% natural, whips up in two minutes, and it only uses two essential oils:
- Peppermint essential oil: Provides a cooling effect when applied topically to the skin.
- Lavender essential oil: is calming and soothing to irritated skin.
Both of these essential oils will need to be diluted – especially if your skin has just been kissed by the sun. Read on to see what carrier oils to use that allow this sunburn spray to cool your skin.
Quick, Easy, and Effective After Sun Spray Recipe
I prefer a body mist over an after sun lotion. When my skin is sensitive to the sun, rubbing on lotion is the last thing I want to do! Thankfully this sun-cooling spray does the trick.
Lavaderm after sun spray (from Young Living) was the inspiration for my DIY after-sun spray. I’ve used Lavaderm in the past and made an attempt to recreate it when I ran out.
Turns out, my DIY spray version is just as good as the expensive counterpart!
The best part is that I can customize my DIY sun spray to fit however much I need, and even to my skin type. You can do this too by adding additional essential oils, a greater or lesser quantity of essential oils, or even additional carrier oils that will help moisturize your skin without being greasy.
Ingredients to Make After Sun Spray
To make your DIY after-sun spray, you need:
- 4 oz glass bottle with a spray mister
- 1-2 Tbsp aloe vera gel
- 10 drops of pure lavender essential oil
- 10 drops of pure peppermint essential oil
- ½ cup witch hazel
After Sun Spray Ingredient Notes
Essential oils
Some people are very brand loyal when it comes to essential oils, and I was committed to Young Living myself for several years. But the essential oil industry has come a long way, and I don’t think there’s only one path for purchasing quality oils.
Revive, Plant Therapy, Far & Wild, and Rocky Mountain Oils are all affordable essential oil companies with stellar reputations.
Aloe vera
This recipe contains aloe vera gel, so when you’re shopping for aloe vera, steer clear of any that’s colored. Pure aloe vera, whether it’s liquid or gel, is clear or white – not green, blue, or any other color of the rainbow.
Witch hazel
With so many varieties of witch hazel available, it can be tricky to know which one to buy. But the golden rule is to pick witch hazel that lists one ingredient: witch hazel.
Step-by-Step Instructions For After Sun Spray Body Mist
Step 1: Add aloe vera to your spray bottle.
Step 2: Add 10 drops each of lavender essential oil and peppermint essential oil to the spray bottle.
Step 3: Add ¼ cup of witch hazel. After securing the lid tightly, give the bottle a good shake to ensure everything is well mixed and no ingredients are stuck to the side of the bottle. This could particularly be the case if you’re using gel aloe vera.
Step 4: Add the remaining witch hazel, secure the lid tightly again, and give it a final shake to combine. Remember to shake it well before using it each time.
Using After Sun Spray for the Best Sunburn Relief
Some folks find aloe vera a bit sticky, so if you’re one of them, start with just one tablespoon. However, if you don’t mind the texture, you can add up to two tablespoons of aloe vera to help moisturize the skin.
Aloe vera liquid is another option for less sticky option, but it might not soothe as well.
You can store this spray in your pool bag, or for an extra refreshing burst of cool, keep it in the fridge!
FAQs for At-Home Sunburn Treatment with After Sun Spray
Why Do I Need an After-Sun Spray?
The primary role of an after-sun spray is to hydrate and repair your skin after a stint in the sun. Your skin will instantly drink it up, and since it’s non-toxic, it’s less likely to irritate your sun-kissed skin.
Can I Use After-Sun Spray Every Day?
Absolutely, you can use this after-sun spray every day! It’s completely safe and will help keep your skin moisturized.
Can I Use After-Sun Spray Instead of a Moisturizer?
Yes, you can use the after-sun spray in place of a moisturizing lotion or body lotion. In fact, it has some additional restorative ingredients that are usually missing from regular moisturizers. It’s a great part of your summer skincare routine!
What Essential Oils Are Best for After-Sun Care?
For this spray, I recommend peppermint and lavender essential oils. Peppermint gives a cooling effect, while lavender is calming and soothing for your skin.
Note that peppermint should always be diluted before applying to the skin. The witch hazel and aloe in this recipe suffice to properly dilute the essential oils.
How Long Does the After-Sun Spray Last?
With the recipe provided, your spray should last you a good while. Just remember to shake before use and keep it stored in a cool, dry place, or for an added cooling effect, in the fridge!
Alrighty! There you have it! An easy-to-make, effective, and all-natural after-sun spray. Give it a try the next time you’re out and about in the sun and let me know how it works for you. Stay safe under the sun, my friend!
More DIY Personal Care Recipes
Hello!
Not sure if you’ll see this, but how long of an expiration date would you give the mix?
Thank you 🙂
Hi Jolene! I suggest using the expiration dates on your aloe vera. Essential oils and witch hazel have a super long shelf life!
Can I use pure Aloe Vera? I have a plant that needs a haircut. I would love to use that but I’m worried that might be too thick? Any advice?
It might be too thick for the spray nozzle, so I’d suggest applying the aloe to the skin and then the spray and massaging together gently.
I love the labels. Where can I find those?
They came with my bottles Kelly!
I bought those labels on Amazon.com.
This sounds awesome! But is it only for adults? I’ve heard over and over from multiple sources to NOT use peppermint essential oil on or around children under 12 – especially the face area.
Hi Courtney! Nope, it’s good for kids! Essential oils are safe to use around kids so long as they’re diluted appropriately and I honestly haven’t heard otherwise with peppermint. In fact, I found multiple credible articles in support of using peppermint around kids! This spray with 10 drops to 1/2 cup witch hazel is more than sufficient. For those with sensitive skin, you can spray on the bottom of the foot to ensure there’s no reaction.