Every sun worshipper loves the sun-kissed glow, but you may tend to get carried away. Whether it is taking a nap in the sun or rocking a new swimsuit at the beach, you return home four shades darker.
While tanned skin can make you look more toned, if you spend too much time in the sun, you can end up donning lobster-red skin that is certainly not appealing.
And no matter how much sunscreen you slather on your skin, staying out in the sun longer than you planned to will leave you with a pesky and possibly painful sunburn.
Furthermore, excessive exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays also gives way to skin damage and increases your risk of skin cancer.
Health stores offer several de-tanning and after-sun sprays to help soothe sunburns. But more often than not, these sprays are loaded with synthetic components that have their own repercussions on your delicate skin.
So whether you have turned to ‘50 Shades of Brown’ from your recent beach outing or are simply feeling parched from the sun, your skin is calling for some extra TLC that you can get from an after-sun spray.
Here are three easy-breezy recipes that show you how to make an after-sun spray that is chemical-free and best suited to your skin type.
Method 1: Aloe – Mint Spray
This super easy DIY spray is a concoction of cooling ingredients that soothe and heal sunburned skin. Both aloe vera gel and witch hazel can soothe pain and irritation in topical burns, including sunburns. They are also effective in treating minor cuts and scrapes.
Plus, aloe vera is rich in vitamins and minerals that promote healing and skin regeneration; it can be used in multiple ways to get clear, glowing, and spotless skin.
The spray recipe also uses essential oils. Lavender essential oil is anti-inflammatory and works like a charm on sunburned skin. Peppermint oil also has cooling properties, but it should be used in moderation to avoid skin irritation.
Caution: Avoid spraying this near your eyes, as it can cause irritation.
Things you’ll need:
- Lavender essential oil (anti-inflammatory) – 5 or 6 drops
- Peppermint essential oil (cooling effect) – 2 drops
- Witch hazel (soothes pain and irritation) – ½ tablespoon
- Fresh aloe vera gel (soothes skin and promotes skin regeneration) – 1 tablespoon
Step 1. Combine all the ingredients in a container
- Squirt about ½ tablespoon of witch hazel into a container.
- Add 1 tablespoon of fresh aloe vera gel. If you don’t have fresh gel, you can use prepackaged gel.
- Add 5 or 6 drops of lavender essential oil and 2 drops of peppermint oil.
Step 2. Mix well, transfer it to a spray bottle and use as needed
- Blend all the ingredients with a spoon.
- Transfer the liquid to a 4 oz. or larger spray bottle and refrigerate it.
- After a long day in the sun, spray it on your skin and gently rub it in. Let it air-dry.
- Reapply 2 or 3 times a day to reverse sun damage in your skin. The spray will stay good for 1 to 2 weeks when kept refrigerated at all times.
Method 2: Apple Cider Vinegar Spray
Although the thought of applying an acidic solution on already inflamed skin seems absurd, an apple cider vinegar-based spray can bring relief if you’ve burned your skin to a crisp while soaking up the sun.
The apple cider vinegar works by drawing the heat out of the sunburned skin and restoring your skin’s pH level. This spray recipe also uses aloe vera gel and peppermint oil for their cooling effects and glycerin to moisturize the skin, which can become very dry from sun exposure.
Continue reading below to learn how to make an after-sun spray with apple cider vinegar and peppermint oil.
Things you’ll need:
- Distilled water – 3 tablespoons
- Peppermint essential oil (cooling effect on skin) – 5 drops
- Glycerin (moisturizes skin) – 1 teaspoon
- Aloe vera gel (soothes irritated skin) – 2 tablespoons
- Apple cider vinegar (draws out heat and restores the skin’s pH level) – ½ tablespoon
Step 1. Mix the apple cider vinegar, aloe vera, glycerin and peppermint oil
- Pour ½ tablespoon of raw apple cider vinegar into a container.
- Add 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel.
- Add 1 teaspoon of glycerin and 5 drops of peppermint oil to the mix.
Step 2. Add distilled water, refrigerate and use as needed
- Dilute the mix with 3 tablespoons of distilled water. Use distilled water only to increase the shelf life of the spray. Alternatively, you can use rose water for an added cooling effect.
- Stir the ingredients well and pour the solution into a spray bottle. Refrigerate the spray until it is needed.
- Spray it on your skin after any sun exposure. You can reapply it 2 or 3 times if you still feel discomfort.
- The spray will stay good for 1 to 2 weeks when refrigerated at all times.
Method 3: Rose Water Spray
Rose water has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, making it a common ingredient in a number of all-natural face toners. It can also be used to make an after-sun spray to cool off and calm your skin and leave you smelling like a dream. You can learn how to make rose water at home here.
Combine it with some witch hazel to boost the cooling effect and lavender essential oil for faster skin healing.
Things you’ll need:
- Rose water (soothes skin) – ¼ cup
- Lavender essential oil (promotes skin healing) – 5 drops
- Witch hazel (anti-inflammatory) – ¼ cup
Single-Step Method: Combine all the ingredients and use
- Pour ¼ cup of witch hazel into a container.
- Add ¼ cup of rose water.
- Add 5 drops of lavender essential oil.
- Mix the ingredients well.
- Transfer it to a spray bottle and refrigerate it.
- Spray it over your inflamed skin and let it air-dry. Use as needed to soothe sunburned skin.
- The spray has a longer shelf life compared to the other two sprays. You can use it up to 1 or 2 months, if kept in refrigeration.
Summary of How to Make an After-Sun Spray
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