DIY After Sun Cooling Spray with Essential Oils: A Natural Solution for Sunburn Relief

Spending time outdoors and being exposed to the sun can be refreshing, but too much sun exposure often leaves the skin irritated, inflamed, and dehydrated. This is where a DIY after-sun cooling spray becomes your go-to remedy. Unlike store-bought products, which may contain harsh chemicals, making your own spray ensures you're using natural ingredients that help to soothe and cool sunburned skin. With the added moisturizing properties of essential oils and other natural ingredients, your skin may recover more quickly while staying hydrated.

Aromatherapy plays a significant role in the healing process, offering calming and soothing scents that elevate your overall self-care routine. One of the many benefits of DIY recipes like this is that you can customize them to suit your needs and preferences. Whether you're looking to relieve sunburn, trap heat, or calm inflamed skin, this after-sun spray will become one of your favorite recipes to use after spending time in the sun. Plus, the natural ingredients work to restore your skin compared to store bought alternatives, making it a healthier and more eco-friendly option.

In this blog, we’ll explore how to make after sun spray with natural ingredients and essential oils. Not only is it easy to make, but it's also more effective and safer than most store-bought products. 

Why Use an Cooling After Sun Spray?

The primary purpose of an after-sun cooling spray is to soothe and cool skin after exposure to the sun. Unlike lotions, a spray can be refreshing, easy to apply, and absorbs quickly into your skin. Adding essential oils enhances the healing properties, offering additional soothing, anti-inflammatory, and skin-hydrating benefits.

Benefits of Using Essential Oils in After-Sun Sprays

• Soothing: Essential oils like lavender and peppermint offer a natural way to calm irritated skin and ease the pain caused by sunburn.
• Hydration: Sun exposure can lead to dehydration of the skin. Essential oils, along with other moisturizing ingredients like aloe vera and coconut oil, can help lock in moisture.
• Healing: Certain essential oils promote faster skin recovery by reducing inflammation and boosting skin regeneration.

Key Ingredients for a DIY After-Sun Cooling Spray

To create the perfect after-sun spray, you’ll need a combination of hydrating, cooling, and soothing ingredients. These ingredients are gentle on the skin and offer relief from sun exposure, while also ensuring your skin remains moisturized and nourished.

Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe vera is known for its soothing and cooling properties, making it an essential component of any after-sun product. It helps hydrate the skin and speeds up the healing process for sunburned or irritated skin. Aloe vera also acts as a natural humectant, locking in moisture to prevent peeling and dryness.

Witch Hazel

Witch hazel is a natural astringent with anti-inflammatory properties, making it ideal for reducing redness and irritation caused by sun exposure. It also helps to tighten the skin and calm any discomfort, providing immediate relief for sunburned areas.

Fractionated Coconut Oil

This lightweight oil absorbs quickly into the skin, offering deep hydration without feeling greasy. Fractionated coconut oil helps to trap moisture and prevent the skin from becoming dry or flaky after sun exposure. It’s a great carrier oil for blending with other ingredients to boost hydration.

Essential Oils

Essential oils play a crucial role in after-sun sprays, providing additional soothing and cooling effects. They enhance the product's aroma and offer benefits such as reducing inflammation, calming irritation, and promoting skin regeneration. Choose essential oils known for their skin-soothing properties.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar helps to balance the skin's pH, reduce inflammation, and soothe sunburns. It has natural antimicrobial properties that can assist in preventing infection and promoting healing. Apple cider vinegar is particularly useful for calming irritated and inflamed skin.

Distilled Water

Distilled water is essential for diluting the mixture and ensuring it remains gentle on the skin. It serves as the base for your spray, allowing the other ingredients to blend smoothly and spread easily when applied to the skin.

DIY After-Sun Spray Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup of aloe vera gel
• 2 tablespoons of witch hazel
• 1 tablespoon of fractionated coconut oil
• 10 drops of lavender essential oil
• 5 drops of peppermint essential oil
• 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup of distilled water

Instructions:

• In a small bowl, combine the aloe vera gel, witch hazel, and fractionated coconut oil.
• Add lavender essential oil, peppermint oil, and apple cider vinegar to the mixture.
• Pour in the distilled water and stir well to mix all ingredients.
• Transfer the mixture to a clean spray bottle.
• Shake well before each use.

How to Use the DIY After-Sun Spray

• Shake the bottle before each application to ensure the ingredients are well-mixed.
• Spray liberally onto sunburned or sun-exposed areas, focusing on hot skin or areas of discomfort.
• Gently pat the skin, allowing the spray to absorb fully.
• Use as often as needed to soothe and hydrate your skin.

Benefits of DIY After-Sun Spray

• Cooling Sensation: Thanks to peppermint essential oil, the spray delivers an instant cooling effect that relieves the burning sensation of a sunburn.
• Moisturizing: The fractionated coconut oil and aloe vera work together to lock in moisture, preventing the skin from peeling or drying out after too much sun exposure.
• Natural: Free from harmful chemicals and store-bought preservatives, this spray offers a safer alternative for all skin types, even sensitive skin.
• Anti-inflammatory: Ingredients like witch hazel and lavender essential oil help to reduce redness, inflammation, and irritation, promoting faster skin recovery.

Other DIY After-Sun Spray Variations

Cooling Aloe and Peppermint Sunburn Spray

This simple variation is perfect for quick relief from sunburns.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup of aloe vera gel
• 10 drops of peppermint essential oil
• 1/2 cup of distilled water

Instructions:

• Mix the aloe vera gel with peppermint essential oil.
• Add distilled water and stir well.
• Pour into a spray bottle and refrigerate for extra cooling.

Lavender and Chamomile After-Sun Mist

Known for their skin-calming properties, lavender and chamomile essential oils work together to soothe and heal sun-exposed skin.

Ingredients:

• 10 drops lavender essential oil
• 5 drops of chamomile essential oil
• 2 tablespoons of witch hazel
• 1/2 cup of distilled water

Instructions:

• Mix the essential oils with witch hazel.
• Add distilled water and transfer the mixture into a spray bottle.
• Shake well before use and apply to irritated skin.

Cooling Cucumber DIY After Sun Spray Recipe

Cucumber is renowned for its cooling and hydrating properties, making it an excellent ingredient for after-sun care.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cucumber juice (freshly blended)
• 1/4 cup aloe vera gel
• 1/4 cup distilled water
• 2 tbsp witch hazel
• 10 drops of your preferred essential oil (optional)

Instructions:

• Blend fresh cucumbers and strain to extract the juice.
• In a spray bottle, mix the cucumber juice, aloe vera gel, distilled water, and witch hazel.
• Add essential oils if desired for a soothing scent.
• Shake well and store in the fridge for an extra cooling effect.

Benefits: Cucumber juice provides deep hydration and a cooling sensation, while aloe vera and witch hazel help soothe and repair the skin.

Green Tea & Aloe After Sun Spray

Green tea is loaded with antioxidants that help to fight free radical damage caused by sun exposure.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup brewed and cooled green tea
• 1/4 cup aloe vera gel
• 2 tbsp fractionated coconut oil
• 10 drops of an essential oil of your choice

Instructions:

• Brew a strong cup of green tea and let it cool completely.
• In a spray bottle, mix the green tea, aloe vera gel, and fractionated coconut oil.
• Add your favorite essential oil for a calming aroma.
• Shake before each use and apply to sun-exposed skin.

Benefits: The antioxidants in green tea help repair sun-damaged skin, while aloe vera hydrates and cools. Coconut oil locks in moisture for long-lasting relief.

Aloe & Calendula Soothing Spray

Calendula is known for its powerful anti-inflammatory and skin-healing properties, making this variation ideal for sensitive skin.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup aloe vera gel
• 1/4 cup calendula-infused water (steep calendula flowers in hot water, then cool)
• 1/4 cup witch hazel
• 10 drops of essential oil (optional)

Instructions:

• Steep calendula flowers in hot water for 10 minutes, then let it cool.
• Combine aloe vera gel, calendula water, and witch hazel in a spray bottle.
• Add essential oils for fragrance if desired.
• Shake well and apply to sunburned areas.

Benefits: Calendula helps reduce inflammation and speeds up the healing process for damaged skin. The aloe and witch hazel provide additional cooling and soothing effects.

Chamomile & Aloe After-Sun Mist

Chamomile is a gentle and calming herb that can relieve irritated skin, making it an excellent ingredient for after-sun care.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup chamomile tea (cooled)
• 1/4 cup aloe vera gel
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 10 drops of essential oil (optional)

Instructions:

• Brew chamomile tea and let it cool completely.
• Combine the cooled chamomile tea, aloe vera gel, and apple cider vinegar in a spray bottle.
• Add a few drops of essential oil if you prefer a scented mist.
• Shake well and apply to the skin after sun exposure.

Benefits: Chamomile calms and soothes sun-exposed skin, while apple cider vinegar helps restore the skin’s pH balance. Aloe vera locks in moisture and promotes healing.

Rose Water & Aloe After-Sun Spray

Rose water is incredibly soothing and works well for calming irritated, sunburned skin.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup rose water
• 1/4 cup aloe vera gel
• 2 tbsp fractionated coconut oil
• 10 drops of essential oil (optional)

Instructions:

• In a spray bottle, mix the rose water, aloe vera gel, and fractionated coconut oil.
• Add a few drops of essential oil to enhance the calming aroma.
• Shake before use and apply as needed to sunburned skin.

Benefits: Rose water reduces redness and irritation, while aloe vera hydrates and cools. The coconut oil helps moisturize the skin, preventing dryness and peeling.

Mint & Aloe Cooling Spray

For a truly refreshing and cooling sensation, mint is the perfect addition to any after-sun spray.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup mint-infused water (steep fresh mint leaves in hot water, then cool)
• 1/4 cup aloe vera gel
• 1/4 cup witch hazel
• 10 drops of peppermint essential oil

Instructions:

• Steep fresh mint leaves in hot water and allow it to cool completely.
• Mix the mint water, aloe vera gel, and witch hazel in a spray bottle.
• Add peppermint essential oil for an extra cooling effect.
• Shake well before each use and spray on sun-exposed skin.

Benefits: Mint and peppermint essential oil provide an intense cooling effect, perfect for soothing sunburned skin. Aloe vera and witch hazel hydrate and calm the skin.

Different Ways to Customize Your After-Sun Spray

Choose Essential Oils Based on Your Skin Type

• For Sensitive Skin: Use soothing oils like chamomile, lavender, or calendula oil, which are known for their gentle, calming effects on irritated or sun-exposed skin.

• For Dry Skin: Add deeply hydrating essential oils like rose, geranium, or sandalwood to help moisturize and prevent peeling after sun exposure.

• For Oily Skin: Include balancing oils such as tea tree, lemon, or eucalyptus to keep your skin fresh and avoid breakouts, while still soothing sunburned skin.

Select an essential oil that works best for your skin type, and combine it with the base ingredients (aloe vera, coconut oil, or witch hazel) in your DIY spray to create a customized formulation.

Incorporating Additional Ingredients for Extra Benefits

• Vitamin E Oil: Known for its antioxidant properties, Vitamin E can help repair damaged skin and prevent further damage from free radicals caused by UV exposure.

• Aloe Vera Juice: Adding pure aloe vera juice provides additional moisture and helps reduce inflammation and redness.

• Green Tea Extract: Packed with antioxidants, green tea extract can soothe and heal sunburned skin while protecting it from further damage.

• Cucumber Extract: Refreshing and cooling, cucumber extract helps reduce puffiness and provides an instant cooling sensation.

Add 1-2 tablespoons of these additional ingredients into your spray recipe. These natural enhancers can target specific concerns like sun damage or dehydration.

Adjusting for Sun Sensitivity

• Safe Oils for Sun-Exposed Skin: If you’ll be out in the sun again, avoid photosensitizing oils and opt for oils that are safe for sun exposure, like lavender, chamomile, or geranium.

• Post-Sun-Only Oils: You can still use citrus oils in your after-sun spray, but make sure you use it indoors after you’re done with sun exposure to avoid any adverse reactions.

If you’re sensitive to the sun or plan on going back out into the sun, be cautious about using oils that could increase sensitivity. Choose oils that are safe for daytime use or make a post-sun treatment only.

Add Hydrosols for Extra Hydration

Instead of using distilled water, you can incorporate hydrosols, such as lavender or rose hydrosol, to provide additional hydration and soothing effects. Hydrosols are gentler than essential oils, making them ideal for sensitive skin types.

• Lavender Hydrosol: Known for its calming and anti-inflammatory properties, lavender hydrosol is perfect for sun-exposed or irritated skin. It not only soothes redness but also helps balance moisture levels in the skin.

• Rose Hydrosol: Rose hydrosol is incredibly hydrating and offers a refreshing scent. It’s a great choice for maintaining skin elasticity and calming sensitive or sunburned skin.

Replace the distilled water in your after-sun spray recipe with the hydrosol of your choice. This enhances both hydration and fragrance, giving the spray an extra layer of skin-soothing benefits.

Use Carrier Oils to Enhance Skin Recovery

While fractionated coconut oil is a popular choice in after-sun sprays, experimenting with other carrier oils like jojoba or rosehip oil can add extra benefits for your skin.

• Jojoba Oil: Jojoba oil is lightweight and closely mimics the skin's natural sebum. It hydrates without clogging pores and helps with moisture retention, making it a great addition for sensitive or acne-prone skin.

• Rosehip Oil: Known for its regenerative properties, rosehip oil is rich in vitamins A and C. It helps repair skin damage from UV exposure and improves the skin's elasticity, making it ideal for healing sun-damaged skin.

• Aloe Vera Oil: If you prefer to use a liquid form of aloe vera instead of gel, aloe vera oil can provide hydration while soothing sunburned skin.

Add 1-2 teaspoons of the carrier oil of your choice to your spray for deeper nourishment and skin recovery. This can be particularly helpful if your skin feels dry or irritated after sun exposure.

Best Practices for Using After-Sun Spray

• Shake Well: Essential oils may separate from water and other ingredients, so shake before each use.

• Store Properly: Store your spray in a cool, dark place to extend its shelf life.

• Patch Test: Always patch test on a small skin area before using the spray all over, especially if you have sensitive skin.

• Avoid the Eyes: Essential oils can irritate the eyes, so avoid spraying on or near the face.

Risks and Precautions of Using Essential Oils in After-Sun Sprays

While essential oils can offer numerous benefits, there are a few precautions to keep in mind:

• Dilution: Always dilute essential oils with a carrier oil or aloe vera gel before applying them to your skin. Undiluted essential oils can cause irritation.

• Sun Sensitivity: Some essential oils, especially citrus oils like lemon and orange, can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. It’s best to avoid using them on sun-exposed areas or opt for them in the evening.

• Allergies: Be cautious of any known allergies, and discontinue use if irritation or redness occurs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, creating a DIY after-sun spray is a wonderful, all-natural way to soothe and care for sun-kissed skin after spending a day in the sun. This simple recipe, using regular coconut oil and essential oils, is not only helpful for sunburned skin but also provides a cooling sensation on the skin, making it a great alternative compared to store-bought products. The ability to soothe occasional skin irritations makes this homemade after-sun spray a perfect addition to your self-care routine, helping ease the discomfort of sunburn and giving relief to sun burnt skin.

By using this spray regularly after spending much time in the sun, you can disperse the natural ingredients evenly on your skin, ensuring that it stays moisturized and nourished. The sunburn spray recipe is also safe to use around sensitive areas and is particularly effective when applied after a day in the sun. Homemade after-sun care is not only eco-friendly but also free from harmful chemicals often found in store-bought products.

While the mixture may feel a bit sticky compared to store-bought sunblock, it is still safe to use and offers long-term benefits for healing and hydrating sunburned skin. You can also pair this after-sun spray with a homemade sunscreen to further protect your skin during sun exposure. Whether you’re out enjoying a natural sunburn remedy or just getting some sun, this DIY spray will help ease discomfort and keep your skin feeling soft and refreshed. Embrace the natural way to care for your skin and enjoy the benefits of this easy-to-make, all-natural sunburn solution.