Even if you don’t have a sunburn, this after-sun care salve recipe is a summer necessity to rehydrate and soothe sun-kissed skin. Apply it after a good scrub in the shower to remove sunscreen residue. Slather on this balm, and your skin will drink in the oils and butter, dealing with sun-damaged skin while you sleep.
The sun just keeps getting hotter, doesn’t it? Years ago, my nephews were caught out at an event longer than they expected to be, and as a result of embracing the fun outdoor activities, they brought home an unwelcome souvenir: sunburns.
The heat radiated off their pink cheeks, shoulders, and noses, and I could see how it was taking a toll on their energy. The next day, they were heading off on vacation, so I whipped up a batch of the after-sun salve that I use on my own skin all summer long.
Now, my own Kiddo uses the after-sun salve all the time whenever we head out camping, or he spends more than his fair share in the afternoon sun. It’s a staple in my herbal cabinet, so easy to make, and very effective at treating burns.
Today, we’re covering…
- Homemade After Sun Care Salve Recipe
- Ingredients
- Make It!
- FAQ About After Sun Care Salves
- More Ways to Beat the Heat
Homemade After Sun Care Salve Recipe
Seriously, this after sun care salve is pure magic. Keep a batch handy all summer long. Be sure to store it in the fridge so it keeps longer, but also so that it’s nice and cool when you use it on your skin.
Ingredients
See recipe card below for exact measurements
Jump to Recipe- Olive oil infused with calendula
- Coconut oil
- Cocoa butter
- Shea butter
- Beeswax
- Lavender essential oil
- Aloe vera gel
Make It!
Melt the oils, butters, and beeswax in a double boiler or Turkish coffee pot. Use a medium heat and stir as the oils melt.
Remove from heat just as all ingredients are liquid. Stir in essential oil.
Allow to cool slightly and then add the aloe gel. Mix the gel in well with the rest and pour into a 2 oz container.
Apply the after sun salve generously to sunburned skin and rub it in as well as you can (which I know can be difficult with a sunburn!).
Apply again after waking in the morning or showering, until the sunburn has settled down. If you don’t have a sunburn but have spent a day in the sun, this lotion works well to keep exposed skin soft. Shower to remove any sunscreen and use the lotion each evening after a day of sun exposure.
FAQ About After Sun Care Salves
You absolutely can! I typically use aloe vera gel (this brand) just to extend the shelf life. But if you use fresh aloe vera, you’ll actually find it has stronger healing properties.
For fresh aloe vera, harvest it using these instructions, and then blend it with a hand blender to make it smooth for the recipe. You won’t need any preservatives if you use it right away. Store it in the fridge, and toss out any remaining salve after a week or if you notice any funky colouring or odours.
If you’re using pre-bought aloe vera gel, it will last as long as the soonest expiry date on the ingredients (read more about that here). I typically try to use my mixture within a month, however, and store it in the fridge so it lasts.
Temperature is key. Once I’ve melted all the oils, butter, and beeswax, I remove it from the heat as soon as possible so it doesn’t overheat. Meanwhile, I’m stirring constantly. I add in the gel and the essential oils once removed. You also want to make sure that the aloe gel isn’t too cool and setting the oils and butters before it’s properly mixed.
To try and save a lumpy batch, try gently heating the mixture to melt it again and stir it all together, using an immersion blender if necessary, being cautious of the hot oils.
Also, ensure that you’re using pure aloe vera gel, and not one that has additives that could be reacting poorly.
Aloe Vera After Sun Care Salve
Supplies
- 3 tbsp olive oil infused with calendula(
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tsp cocoa butter
- 1 tsp shea butter
- 1 tbsp beeswax
- 15 drops lavender essential oil
- 3 tbsp Aloe Vera gel
Instructions
- Over medium heat, melt the oils, butters, and beeswax in a Turkish coffee pot or double boiler. Stir constantly.
- Just as the ingredients are fully melted, remove from heat. Add in essential oil and stir.
- Let the mixture cool slightly before adding in the aloe vera gel. Mix in the gel well, and pour into a 2 oz container.
- Apply generously to sunburned skin, rubbing it gently in.
Notes
More Ways to Beat the Heat
- Protect Your Lips with an All-Natural Sunscreen Lip Balm Recipe
- Healing After-Sun Lip Balm Recipe
- How to Use Fresh Aloe Vera as a Sunburn Remedy
- DIY Aloe Vera Soap: A plant-Based Skin-Soothing Soap for Face and Hands
- Sun Safety for Gardeners: How to Stay Safe in the Sun
A city girl who learned to garden and it changed everything. Author, artist, Master Gardener. Better living through plants.
I really love using birch sweet essential oil from http://www.bulkapothecary.com It works as an analgesic and really relieves the skin pain I feel after a sunburn.
Hi ,can you use fresh aloe gel from the plant ? Or do you need to buy bottled aloe. Thanks
Hi Sally, I haven’t tried it but I can imagine it would work really well. If you try it and could you please get back to us on the results?
Thanks for this! I am new to making my own products but am starting to learn now. I have a question about this. Is there another essential oil that would work as well as the lavender? I am allergic to lavender but would love something along these lines for after a day in the sun. Thanks!
Crystal, you can just leave it out of the recipe and enjoy the aloe & calendula scent. Or add a scent that you like as long as it is not a “hot” essential oil like cinnamon or clove. Try peppermint for its cooling sensation, but take the recipe down to 8 drops.
I tried this yesterday and everything was going fine until I added the aloe vera gel. Once I started mixing, it looked like oil was separating out of it and it got chunky. Ever have this happen before? Not sure what could have gone wrong-maybe the aloe? I jarred it anyway and used it, still works and feels great! Thanks for the great recipe!
Hi Kelly, I haven’t had that happen before. Can you check the aloe vera gel to see if it is pure gel or has some other additives? How warm was the mixture? I make sure to remove the mix from the heat as soon as they are all melted, and that way it isn’t overheated. stirring constantly, I add the essential oils and then the gel. Perhaps the oils were too hot? I’m sorry that this happened and hope that we can figure out why so it doesn’t happen next time.
Mine did the same thing. Did you find a solution for that lumpiness?
How did you get yours so smooth? Mine is kinda lumpy. I think it’s the aloe vera gel I used. I made mine homemade, put it in my mini food processor and got it as smooth as possible. It’ll do for the purpose, I was just hoping mine would look smooth creamy like yours.
Hi Mandi, that is strange! I think what is happening is that the aloe gel is too cool, and it is cooling and setting the oils and butters before it is properly mixed. Try gently heating the mixture to melt it and then stir it together. Please let me know if this makes a difference. Thanks!