After Sun Lotion

Summer sun can be harsh on the skin. This DIY, soothing after-sun lotion is light and lovely on the skin. With softening, restoring anti inflammatory essential oils it is a welcome relief at the end of a hot day. It will soothe and replenish moisture in parched skin. It also makes a nice body moisturiser, regardless of if you have been out in the sun or not.

Across the year, I spend time outdoors almost every day. I have grown to be more vigilant about protecting my skin in the past couple of years as age has started to highlight spots that probably developed as a carefree child who grew up on the river, or the young woman who carelessly baked in the sun at the beach. I now cover up in the sun with protective clothing and if at the beach also sunblock.

This lotion is light and soaks in quickly. As the ingredients are plant based they are quickly absorbed by the skin rather than sitting on the top of the skin, resulting in the heat being retained.

I like to have this soothing lotion on hand to use on any areas of the skin that have been exposed to the sun during the day. The lotion is gentle enough to use on the kids as required.

The table below the recipe outlines the properties of the ingredients so that you can understand why I have selected them to be included in the product.

Ingredient Properties:

Note: This recipe includes naturally sourced ingredients, despite this it is still possible for one or more ingredients to be unsuitable for some people. If you experience any reaction or discomfort (as with any product, or food) you should discontinue use immediately.

Sun protection is obviously the best method for avoiding inflamed and damaged skin. I am not endorsing exposing your skin to the sun to the point of requiring an intervention. I am endorsing this lovely lotion as a soothing, replenishing cream to apply to you skin. A natural moisturiser that you can make yourself at home, free from chemical additives, full of high quality natural ingredients, or ingredients of your choice.

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{ 4 comments… add one }

Hi kl your mum thinks these are all delicious, if any excess can you send home with dad xx

I love all of your home made creams Kyrstie and this is brilliant as my daughter came home sunburnt yesterday. All I could do was rub on an aloe vera leaf and apply cocoa butter afterwards. Could you substitute the apricot kernel for something else and are these essential oils suitable for sensitive skin? I would appreciate your advice and will check back for your reply, thanks. Merryn x

Hi Merryn, thank you very much for your lovely feedback. Yes you can swap apricot kernel for any another cold pressed oil such as almond, avocado, or what every you have on hand. The oils are suitable for sensitive skin – they are a included in a very low dilution and are suitable even for very young children’s skin. Lavender is particularly good for burns (so long as it is a 100% pure essential oil and not a fragrance oil-as will all of the oils listed) Chamomile is also a valuable anti-inflammatory. I would say that if you are concerned leave the oils out, however, they do add significant value to the overall base of the cream for sunburn. K

Thank you very much Kyrstie I have almond and avocado so will make it with almond oil. I will try just use lavender and rosehip and skip the chamomile/eucalyptus I was worried about using these two. She is even redder today so off to the natural oil crate to create this concoction. Thank you