DIY After Sun Gel Recipe
This summer was our first summer in our new house, which meant our first summer with an actual backyard. After years of apartment living, my kids were OBSESSED. We were outside constantly, and even with my best sunscreen efforts, there were still some pink shoulders and warm little faces by the end of the day.
I’d always kept store-bought after sun lotion around, but once I started reading ingredient labels (you know how that rabbit hole goes), I decided it was time to make my own DIY after sun gel. I knew I had to share this recipe the moment I realized how simple it actually was!!
It’s one of those skincare recipes that feels a little like kitchen magic: a few simple ingredients, and you end up with something that actually works.
Whether you’re dealing with a mild sunburn or just that tight, dry feeling after a long beach day, this homemade after sun gel has become my go-to for the whole family!
Herbal Benefits
Here are a few of my favorite benefits from this homemade after sun gel:
- Lavender hydrosol is the liquid byproduct of steam-distilling lavender, and it is so gentle and so versatile.
Lavender has been used for centuries to calm and soothe irritated skin, it’s one of the first herbs I ever worked with when I started studying herbalism in 2019.
In a spray or gel like this, it brings that same calming energy to hot, sun-exposed skin without being overpowering. - Aloe vera gel is basically the GOLD STANDARD for sunburn relief, we all know why!
Aloe has been used traditionally for thousands of years across many cultures to cool and soothe the skin. It’s hydrating, it feels incredible going on, and it forms that light, slip-on texture that makes this gel so easy to apply. It’s the backbone of this whole after sun gel recipe. - Xanthan gum is a natural thickener that turns our liquid ingredients into a true gel. It’s derived from fermentation and is totally skin-safe. Trust me, I figured out the hard way that you can’t just skip this, without it, you have a very nice face mist, not a gel!
- Essential oils (optional!) can take this recipe to the next level for after sun relief. Lavender essential oil is my personal FAVORITE here, it layers beautifully with the hydrosol and adds extra skin-soothing properties.
Peppermint brings a cooling tingle that my husband love. Helichrysum is a powerhouse for skin recovery and one I reach for when the sunburn is a little more intense.
Peppermint is a little too strong for kids; I would personally only use with adults.
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DIY After Sun Gel Recipe
Makes: about 6 ounces
Ingredients
- ½ cup lavender hydrosol
- ½ cup aloe vera gel
- ½ teaspoon xanthan gum
- 16 drops lavender essential oil
Instructions
Combine the lavender hydrosol and aloe gel, and stir until blended.
Add the xanthan gum, a little at a time and mix with a mixer until fully combined.
Add in the essential oils, if using.
Store in the fridge for up to 3 months.
Notes
- Essential oils are optional. Lavender, peppermint, and helichrysum are popular choices for soothing sun-exposed skin. Use a low dilution and avoid phototoxic citrus oils!
- Add the xanthan gum slowly. Sprinkling it in gradually while mixing helps prevent clumps and creates a smooth gel texture. Don’t just dump it all in, it does NOT work!
- Refrigerate before use. Chilling the gel provides extra cooling relief after sun exposure, and makes it feel SO good!
- Discard if you notice any changes in color, smell, or texture.
How to Use It
Apply a generous layer to clean, sun-exposed skin as needed, after time outdoors, before bed, or any time skin feels warm or tight.
I usually scoop a little into my palm and smooth it gently over the affected area. For the littles, I love patting it on rather than rubbing so it doesn’t agitate already-sensitive skin.
Since this recipe has no preservatives, storing it in the fridge is a MUST, not just for safety, but because cold gel on sun-warmed skin is genuinely amazing.
It keeps for up to 3 months refrigerated. If you want to take it to the beach or a picnic, pack it in a small cooler or insulated bag.
For a fun variation, try swapping the lavender hydrosol for rose hydrosol, it smells incredible and rose has its own long history of skin-soothing use! You could even do a peppermint hydrosol!
If you’re using this as a general after sun relief recipe for sensitive kids, simply skip the essential oils entirely, the aloe and hydrosol do plenty of work on their own.
Anyone who is pregnant, nursing, or has sensitive skin should check in with their care provider before using essential oils topically.
After Sun Gel
A cooling aloe vera and lavender hydrosol gel designed to refresh and hydrate skin after sun exposure. Lightweight, soothing, and especially refreshing when chilled.
Ingredients
- ½ cup lavender hydrosol
- ½ cup aloe vera gel
- ½ teaspoon xanthan gum
- 16 drops essential oil
Instructions
- Combine the lavender hydrosol and aloe gel, and stir until blended.
- Add the xanthan gum, a little at a time and mix with a mixer until fully combined.
- Add in the essential oils, if using.
- Store in the fridge for up to 3 months.
Notes
- Essential oils are optional. Lavender, peppermint, and helichrysum are popular choices for soothing sun-exposed skin. Use a low dilution and avoid phototoxic citrus oils!
- Add the xanthan gum slowly. Sprinkling it in gradually while mixing helps prevent clumps and creates a smooth gel texture. Don't just dump it all in, it does NOT work!
- Refrigerate before use. Chilling the gel provides extra cooling relief after sun exposure, and makes it feel SO good!
- Discard if you notice any changes in color, smell, or texture.
- If you don't have lavender hydrosol, peppermint or rose are a good substitute.
Final Thoughts
This is one of those recipes I genuinely wish I had figured out sooner. My son asked me last week if we could make “the cold skin stuff” before our next beach trip, which I’m counting as the highest possible compliment 🙂
I keep a small jar in the fridge all summer long now, and it has become part of our end-of-a-sunny-day wind-down routine.
If you’re on the fence, just try it! This DIY after sun gel comes together in about five minutes and feels like such a small, meaningful way to take care of your family with simple, real ingredients 🙂
Let me know if you try it!
