The days are here, friends! You know what days we are talking about, the ones where you sit by the pool, throw a football on the beach, go on the lake, or, quite literally, you soak up the summer sun. There is nothing quite like a lazy summer day in the sun, but you’ll suffer the consequences if you don’t properly care for your skin.
In your younger years, you probably weren’t as vigilant about sun protection. Once you pass a certain threshold, you understand the importance of skin care, especially if you are going to be in the sun. You also understand that you have to properly care for the skin after sun exposure. You won’t always return home from a day in the sun with a sunburn. You can, however, decrease your risk of sunburn by taking precautions, such as applying sunscreen and finding shade when possible. When you feel like your skin is a little hotter than usual after sun exposure, apply the after sun lotion in this article.
Green Tea
This after sun lotion contains green tea, which may seem like an unusual ingredient for such a DIY skin care product. Green tea works to reduce inflammation and provides lots of antioxidants and polyphenols that fight sun damage and free radicals. Even if you do not get burnt, these antioxidants can help fight the free radicals that develop from sun exposure. Green tea also works to fight the signs of aging and promotes rejuvenation, which is necessary after sun exposure.
Aloe Vera Gel
When you think of after sun care, your mind probably goes straight to aloe vera gel. It soothes the skin and helps accelerate recovery from a sunburn. If you put it in the fridge and then apply it to your warm, sunburnt skin, it is a revelation. Most people have used the sap from the aloe plant to soothe skin for centuries. It has an instant cooling effect and works to fight inflammation. Studies have shown that aloe vera also increases cell turnover and promotes new cell growth. Mostly composed of water, aloe vera works to moisturize and nourish the body, enhancing the skin barrier and preventing moisture loss after application.
Essential Oils
Similar to aloe vera, some essential oils, such as peppermint essential oil, provide an instant cooling effect when topically applied to the skin. Peppermint essential oil helps to draw heat out of the body, which is necessary if you have a sunburn. Finally, the lavender essential oil in this after sun lotion has a soothing scent that helps to calm the mind and body. It also works to clean the skin’s surface, reduce inflammation, and lessen pain.
After Sun Lotion
Ingredients:
- 2/3 cup coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons beeswax pellets
- 1 tablespoon matcha green tea powder
- 1/3 cup pure aloe vera gel
- 25 drops vitamin E oil
- 25 drops peppermint essential oil
- 20 drops lavender essential oil
Instructions:
- Add the coconut oil and beeswax pellets to a small saucepan over medium low heat. Stir frequently until fully melted and clear.
- Add the matcha powder and stir to combine. Allow the matcha to steep in the oil and beeswax mixture for one hour over very low heat.
- Pour the matcha-infused oil mixture through a cheesecloth or fine mesh sieve into a heat-safe bowl.
- Add the remaining ingredients to the same bowl and whisk all of the ingredients together by hand or with an electric mixer.
- Once you have thoroughly whisked the ingredients, pour the mixture into a glass jar and allow it to cool at room temperature. This will take some time.
- When the mixture is cool, you can use it immediately. If you want to go the extra mile to have a fluffy consistency, you can pour the mixture back into a bowl and whisk with an electric mixture.
- Store the after sun lotion in a glass jar in the fridge to keep it as fresh as possible. This will also enhance the cooling effects of some of the ingredients in the after sun lotion.
