DIY After Sun Spray Recipe

DIY After Sun Spray Recipe with Essential Oils!

You can use this DIY after sun spray recipe after spending time in the sun. The sun can zap the moisture from your skin, but this replaces moisture and helps the skin heal. Your skin will benefit from this easy recipe whether or not you get a sunburn.

Your body needs some exposure to the sun to stay healthy, but too much sun exposure can cause damage to your skin. It’s always important to wear sunscreen if you’ll be in the sun for long periods of time.

Even with sunscreen, your skin can still get burned, turn red, or peel. Spending time in the sun can also zap the moisture from your skin and lead to dry, itchy skin.

Add moisture to your skin and help it heal with this DIY after sun spray recipe. It’s easy to make in just a few minutes when you need it.

Related: Best Essential Oils for Skin Care

Then toss it in your bag to take with you or store in the fridge for cooling relief after being in the sun.

This spray is safe to use on red, peeling, or irritated skin, but consult a doctor if you suspect that you have second-degree sunburns because they can leave scars and lead to a secondary infection.

Ingredients Used in this Homemade After Sun Spray

Witch Hazel

Witch hazel is soothing for your skin, so it feels great on your skin after spending time in the sun. It can also help reduce your chances of peeling or flaking after you’ve been in the sun.

Witch hazel can also help reduce inflammation and acts like a natural astringent to shrink pores. It can also reduce redness, including redness caused by irritation like from the sun.

It’s safe to use on broken or irritated skin, so you can use it on the skin that is peeling or flaking from a sunburn.

There are several kinds of witch hazel available, but you want to use plain witch hazel with no additives. Look for one that doesn’t have any fragrances and is naturally preserved like this one.

How to Infuse Witch Hazel

You can use regular witch hazel in this homemade after sun spray if you’re pressed for time or don’t want to infuse the witch hazel.

Or you can infuse the witch hazel with herbs to get the benefits of the herbs along with the benefits of the witch hazel.

If you do infuse your witch hazel, you can use lavender, calendula, or green tea. You can use one, two, or all three of these herbs for your infusion.

To infuse the witch hazel, fill an 8-ounce mason jar about halfway with any combination of the herbs mentioned above.

Then cover with witch hazel. There is no exact amount of herb or witch hazel, but make sure that the herbs are completely covered.

Cap the jar and shake the herbs and liquid. Let it sit for two weeks in a dark place. Shake it daily to mix it.

After two weeks, strain out the herbs using cheesecloth. Discard the herbs. Use the witch hazel to make this recipe. If you have some left over, you can save it for your next batch.

Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe vera gel is probably the most popular natural after sun care ingredient. It is soothing, and it also reduces inflammation and moisturizes the skin.

Some people find aloe to be too sticky. You can cut back to one tablespoon or omit it and use a hydrosol instead.

When you’re buying aloe vera gel, make sure that you buy pure aloe vera gel.  It should be clear. Read the ingredients because some brands have added alcohol and other ingredients.

Hydrosol

If you find aloe vera gel sticky or hard to spray, then you can use a hydrosol. Hydrosols are made by distilling flowers, leaves, or fruits.

They keep some of the properties of the plant that they are made from, but they are less concentrated than essential oils.

You could use rose hydrosol, cucumber hydrosol, or calendula hydrosol in this recipe. All of them would be gentle on your skin, and rose and calendula are said to have healing properties.

There is also peppermint hydrosol. If you use this kind, omit the peppermint essential oil.

Plant Therapy Organic Rose Hydrosol. (Flower Water, Floral Water, Hydrolats, Distillates) 4 oz.

Rosehip Seed Oil

You’ll need to dilute the essential oils in a carrier oil so you can use them safely on your skin.

Rosehip seed oil is high in vitamin A, so it has anti aging properties that can help your skin after spending time in the sun.

It has essential fatty acids that moisturize the skin. These fatty acids are naturally anti-inflammatory to reduce inflammation.

Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender essential oil is a gentle oil that is wonderful for irritated skin. It can reduce redness and is a natural antiseptic, so it can help the skin heal faster and prevent secondary infection.

It’s absorbed into the skin quickly, so you’ll see relief almost immediately. It has adaptogenic compounds that help the skin heal itself, which can reduce peeling and decrease healing time.

Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint essential oil is a natural topical analgesic, so it can temporarily reduce pain. It provides a cooling sensation that feels great on the skin after being in the sun.

Safely Using Essential Oils

Always, do a skin patch test prior to topically using an essential oil you have never used before! See my sections on essential oil safety:

• 8 Essential Oil Dangers and Risks
• How to Dilute Essential Oils for Topical Use
• Essential Oils that are Safe for Kids
• Essential Oils to Use During Pregnancy

DIY After Sun Spray Recipe

What You Need

• ½ cup witch hazel or herbal infused witch hazel
• 2 tablespoons aloe vera gel or hydrosol
• 2 tablespoons rosehip seed oil
• 10 drops lavender EO
• 2-10 drops peppermint EO
• 4 oz bottle

Directions

Combine the rosehip seed oil and essential oils in a 4-ounce spray bottle. Place the cap on and shake to combine. Add the witch hazel or herbal infused witch hazel and aloe vera gel or hydrosol.

Place the cap on and shake well. Shake well before each use.

Although this recipe is shelf stable, it will feel better on your skin if you store it in the fridge.

Spray on your skin after spending time in the sun. Avoid the mouth and eye area when spraying.

This spray can be used on ages 10 and above. If using for those under age 10 leave out the peppermint EO. (Peppermint EO can be neurotoxic to young child especially if sprayed or infused around the face!)

Carefully rub the spray into your skin. Apply up to three times a day.

Give this after sun spray recipe a try this summer and share your feedback in the comment section.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not intend to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition. It is always recommended that you seek the advise of your private medical doctor.