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The Best After Sun Lotion Recipe: Natural DIY

BySerra Blaine RN, BSN, Certified Herbalist Hours Posted on Hours Updated on

The Best After Sun Lotion Recipe: Natural DIY

Best After Sun Lotion Recipe

The best after sun lotion recipe was created after one too many garden afternoons left me with reddened, tender skin. I usually rush outside when the kids finally give me a few quiet moments. Most days I forget my hat or a thin long-sleeved shirt until it’s already too late. The sun feels lovely, but my skin always pays for it later.

If I don’t care for my sun-kissed glow afterward, it quickly fades into dry or flaky skin. I’ve learned that skipping after-sun care only leads to more skin damage and discomfort. Now, I turn to natural ingredients for a gentle and effective solution.

after sun lotion in jar with aloe vera plant on wood board

My goal with this recipe is simple. I want to soothe and hydrate sun-exposed skin using ingredients that are safe, nourishing, and easy to find. This homemade lotion is one I reach for again and again during the hot months.

In this post, I’ll walk you through the best after sun lotion recipe using coconut oil, olive oil, aloe vera juice, shea butter, and peppermint essential oil. You’ll learn why each ingredient matters and how to make your own lotion at home. Whether it’s your first time trying DIY skincare or you’re already a fan of natural remedies, this recipe is a helpful addition to your summer care routine.

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after sun lotion recipe Pins with aloe vera

Why Your Skin Needs Love After the Sun

Sun Exposure and Skin Damage

The best after sun lotion recipe helps support and restore skin that’s had a little too much sunshine. Time outdoors is good for the soul, but not always for the skin. Even a quick trip to the garden or a walk with the kids can leave behind more damage than we realize.

Sun exposure causes the skin to lose moisture through evaporation. That water loss leaves the skin dry, sensitive, and more vulnerable. Without protection, your skin can feel warm to the touch and begin to show signs of mild damage like redness or tightness. If you’ve ever noticed your skin feeling rough or peeling days later, that’s a sign it needed more after-sun support.

natural sunscreen in tin

Hydration Makes All the Difference

Moisture is your skin’s best friend after a sunny day. That’s why the best after sun lotion recipe includes ingredients that deeply hydrate. Your skin naturally works to repair itself, but it needs help when it’s stressed. Nourishing hydration not only makes skin feel better faster—it also helps prevent long-term dryness and flaking.

Dry skin can quickly become flaky skin when left untreated. This is especially common around the shoulders, arms, face, and chest—places that soak up the sun. A well-made homemade lotion with natural ingredients restores softness and comfort.

Natural Ingredients That Soothe

Aloe Vera Gel & Juice

Aloe vera juice is one of my favorite ingredients in the best after sun lotion recipe. It cools the skin instantly and helps bring down that flushed feeling. Juice is lighter and blends easily into homemade lotion, making it a great choice for smooth, soothing results.

aloe vera gel in glass measuring cup

Pure aloe vera gel is thicker and offers more staying power on the skin. It’s perfect for extra relief on hot spots or areas with mild skin damage. Both aloe juice and gel help calm sun-kissed skin and ease irritation naturally. You can use whichever works best for your skin or what you have on hand.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil helps your skin feel soft again. It melts right into the skin and replenishes moisture lost to sun and heat. This gentle oil adds comfort without feeling greasy and supports hydration in homemade lotion.

coconut oil in mason jar on white counter

Shea Butter

Shea butter brings deep moisture and protection. It’s thick, and creamy, and helps prevent dry skin and flaky skin after sun exposure. It also supports the skin’s barrier and works well in any after-sun lotion.

shea butter in copper measuring cup

Coconut Butter

Coconut butter adds a rich, velvety texture to the best after sun lotion recipe. It’s full of skin-loving fats that nourish and soften. Coconut butter pairs beautifully with other natural ingredients and helps skin feel smooth and refreshed.

natural cocoa butter

Beeswax

Beeswax helps hold the homemade lotion together and gives it a light protective layer. It seals in moisture and shields sun-kissed skin from further irritation. Beeswax also improves the shelf life and texture of your own lotion recipe.

beeswax pellets in glass jar

Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint essential oil adds a refreshing and cooling sensation to your after sun lotion. Its invigorating properties not only help soothe sun-kissed skin but also provide a gentle, aromatic relief. A few drops of peppermint essential oil will help reduce the feeling of irritation while leaving your skin with a fresh, tingly sensation. Plus, it complements the other ingredients beautifully, making this lotion even more enjoyable to apply!

peppermint essential oil

Each ingredient plays an important role in soothing and restoring skin naturally. Together, they create the best after sun lotion recipe for days when you’ve had a little too much sun.

How to Make the Best After Sun Lotion Recipe

After a long day outside, this homemade lotion is just what your sun-kissed skin needs. With simple steps and nourishing, natural ingredients, making your own lotion is easier than you might think.

What You’ll Need

You’ll need a double boiler, a small whisk (or immersion blender), a mixing bowl, a spatula, and clean jars for storage. These tools help create a smooth, creamy lotion you’ll love using again and again.

after sun lotion in jar with aloe vera plant on wood board from top

Ingredients List

To make 8 oz of The Best After Sun Lotion recipe, you’ll need:

  • 1/2 cup coconut oil – restores moisture and soothes dry skin
  • 1 tablespoon beeswax, cocoa butter, or shea butter – protects and softens the skin
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil – gentle nourishment (or substitute with calendula-infused olive oil for added skin-healing benefits)
  • 1 cup pure aloe vera gel or 1/2 cup aloe vera juice – cools, hydrates, and helps ease skin damage
  • 15 drops peppermint essential oil – calms and refreshes irritated skin

I love ordering from Mountain Rose Herb when I need high-quality herbs that I don’t have access to from my garden. Their ingredients are fresh, organic, and ethically sourced. I order my oils from Azure Standard.

Step 1: Melt the Butters and Oils

In a double boiler over medium to low heat, combine coconut oil, beeswax, shea butter (or cocoa butter), and olive oil (or calendula-infused olive oil). Stir occasionally until everything is fully melted.

after sun lotion coconut oil shea butter beeswax herbal oil
after sun lotion coconut oil shea butter beeswax herbal oil melted in doubleboiler

Step 2: Remove From Heat

Once fully melted, remove the mixture from the heat. Allow the oils to cool completely. This can take a couple of hours on the counter, or be sped up by placing it into the fridge. It should soften but not be hard.

after sun lotion hardening in glass container

Step 3: Blend in Aloe Vera and Peppermint Essential Oil

Once the mixture has cooled and thickened slightly, blend in the aloe vera gel (or juice) and peppermint essential oil. Blend until creamy and with a soft consistency.

after sun lotion adding peppermint essential oil
after sun lotion mixing in aloe vera gel

Step 4: Pour Into Jars

After achieving the desired consistency, pour the lotion into clean jars. Let it cool completely before applying the lids.

beeswax aloe vera gel shea butter coconut oil calendula infused olive oil

This best after sun lotion recipe is made with real, nourishing ingredients your skin can recognize. Store your jars in a cool spot, and enjoy the soothing relief anytime your skin needs a little extra love after the sun.

Yield: 8 oz

Best After Sun Lotion Recipe

after sun lotion in jar with aloe vera plant on wood board

This homemade after sun lotion is perfect for soothing and moisturizing sun-kissed skin. Made with natural ingredients like aloe vera, coconut oil, shea butter, and peppermint essential oil, it cools, hydrates, and nourishes your skin after a day in the sun.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Additional Time 20 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup coconut oil
  • 1 tablespoon beeswax
  • 1 tablespoon shea butter (or cocoa butter)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (or calendula-infused olive oil for added skin benefits)
  • 1 cup pure aloe vera gel (or 1/2 cup aloe vera juice)
  • 15 drops peppermint essential oil

Instructions

  1. In a double boiler over medium to low heat, combine coconut oil, beeswax, shea butter (or cocoa butter), and olive oil (or calendula-infused olive oil). Stir occasionally until everything is fully melted.
  2. Once fully melted, remove the mixture from the heat. Allow the oils to cool completely. This can take a couple of hours on the counter, or be sped up by placing it into the fridge. It should soften but not be hard.
  3. Once the mixture has cooled and thickened slightly, blend in the aloe vera gel (or juice) and peppermint essential oil. Blend until creamy and with a soft consistency.
  4. After achieving the desired consistency, pour the lotion into clean jars. Let it cool completely before applying the lids.

Notes

If the oils and aloe vera gel are not at the same temperature when mixing, they may not emulsify properly. You can strain it and try again if needed.

Lavender is another great option for essential oils if you do not like peppermint.

If using fresh aloe vera gel, you may need to add citric acid as a preservative.

© Serra Blaine RN, BSN, Certified Herbalist
Cuisine: Lotion / Category: DIY

Tips for First-Time DIY Lotion Makers

If this is your first time making a homemade lotion, don’t worry—it’s simpler than it sounds. Just take your time.

Let your lotion cool and set at room temperature. Rushing this step can affect the texture.

Always use clean utensils, mixing bowls, and jars. It helps your lotion stay fresh and free from contamination.

For the best shelf life, store your after-sun lotion in a cool, dark place. Try to use it within a few months.

How to Use This Soothing After-Sun Lotion

Apply the lotion gently to sun-kissed skin after a shower or bath. This helps seal in moisture and calm irritation.

You can also use it before bed so your skin can soak in the nourishment overnight.

It pairs beautifully with a wash using cold process soap or a warm bath on a tired, sunny day.

This after-sun lotion works well all summer—or anytime your skin needs a little extra love.

Magnesium lotion with Lavender flowers

Final Thoughts

There’s something deeply satisfying about making your own lotion with real, natural ingredients. It feels good knowing exactly what you’re putting on your skin.

Caring for sun-exposed skin doesn’t have to be complicated. With the best after sun lotion recipe, it can be simple, soothing, and effective.

Try this recipe and let me know how it works for you. Enjoy the process and take care of your skin the natural way!

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