By: Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT38 CommentsPosted: 5/10/18Updated: 12/23/18
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While I absolutely love the warmth and sunshine of the summer, with it comes somenot so pleasant things, such as sunburn, bug bites, and dry, flaky skin. And now with a squirmy toddler who loves to play in the dirt and pull off her hat when I’m not looking, the struggle has gotten even more real. Luckily, my homemade aloe vera after-sun lotion is the perfect solution for the whole family for most summer-related skin issues.
This homemade aloe vera after-sun lotion contains four nutrient-rich ingredients to rehydrate and soothe sun-kissed skin: aloe vera gel, coconut oil, olive oil, and shea butter. Aloe vera is widely know for its ability to heal skin burns, wounds, and other skin issues, and in this homemade lotion recipe, it’s whipped in a blender so that it has a softer texture.
The second main ingredient, coconut oil, is a fantastic moisturizer. Studies show coconut oil significantly improves dryness, and does so better in comparison to other oils because of its antibacterial and emollient effects.[1][2]It’s also been found to improve skin hydration and lipid barrier function, and reduce skin infections.[3]Because it it solid at room temperature, it also plays a role in giving this homemade aloe vera after-sun lotion a silky texture.
Olive oil is also great as a moisturizer, and contains antioxidants, which can help repair skin damage. The last ingredient, shea butter, is a luxurious butter that is anti-inflammatory and well known for its ability to improve dry skin.
In short, each ingredient in this homemade aloe vera after-sun lotion works together to create an incredibly powerful and effective moisturizer. If you’re interested in the sciencey things, this homemade lotion works so well because it combines the emollient effects of coconut oil, and the occlusive effects of olive oil with aloe vera, which is a humectant. Humectants draw water from the air to your skin, while emollients and occlusive agents smooth the skin’s surface, and prevent water loss through the skin.
Lastly, this homemade lotion is made with natural ingredients and is incredibly affordable, which helps when your money seems to fly out the window because the kid needs new shoes again.
Please note: if you’re planning on applying this lotion to small humans, I recommend not adding in the essential oils. Both peppermint and lavender essential oil are great for soothing and cooling irritated skin; however, they are not essential to this recipe.
Homemade Aloe Vera After-Sun Lotion
Ingredients:
1/2 cup coconut oil
1 1/2 tablespoons beeswax pastilles (Can also use 3/4th of a 1 oz bar of beeswax, diced finely or grated)
1 tablespoon shea butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup aloe vera gel (Edit: at room temperature)
5-8 drops peppermint or lavender essential oil (optional)
Directions:
Heat the coconut oil, beeswax, shea butter, and olive oil in a modified double boiler, stirring occasionally to combine.
Once the mixture is liquid, pour it into a glass blender and allow the mixture to cool completely, about one to two hours. Once the mixture has cooled and is slightly hardened, take a spatula and scrap down the sides of the blender to loosen the contents.
Turn the blender on low and slowly pour the aloe vera gel into the mixture, stopping occasionally to allow the contents to combine.
If the mixture gets “stuck” in the blender, turn the machine off and scrap down the sides of the blender. Whip the mixture by hand until a light, fluffy texture forms.
Once the aloe vera is completely combined, add the essential oil (optional) and mix well. Transfer the lotion to an airtight glass container.
Tips
- It is super important to let the mixture completely cool in the blender before adding the aloe vera gel. Set a timer, walk away, and do something else. Make sure the aloe vera gel is also at room temperature.
- You’ll get the best results using a natural aloe vera gel. Aloe vera juice or homemade gel will not work the same.
- This homemade aloe vera after-sun lotion is good for all skin types. If you plan to use it on your face, please test it on a small area of your skin for a few days in a row prior to regular use to make sure you do not have any negative reactions to it (for example, redness or a rash).
- Store a small amount of this lotion in a glass jar in your bathroom for immediate use, and keep the rest of it in the refrigerator in an airtight container. You can expect to get about 3-4 months storage life from this recipe.
Have any questions about this Homemade Aloe Vera After-Sun Lotion? Ask below in the comments and I’ll do my best to help!
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT
I’m Noelle, a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, personal trainer, author, and podcaster. I love helping people improve their physical and mental health with easy to understand health and nutrition articles, and simple, delicious recipes made with nourishing ingredients. Pull up a seat, you’re welcome at this table!
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Karien says
Such a versatile plant, it can be used for keeping produce fresh, lowering blood sugar, natural laxative etc.
Reply
Rebecca says
Instead of glass can it be stored in tons with a lid?
Anne Lee says
Can you use aloe vera powder in this recipe?
Reply
Noelle says
No. Only aloe vera gel.
Olivia Chapman says
Is the coconut oil in this recipe fractionated or unfractionated?
Noelle says
Refined coconut oil works fine. Shouldn’t be liquid at room temperature.
Ogbomo Esoswo Francisca says
Can this be used at night?
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
Sure!
Mara says
Hi Noelle,
I just made your Aloe Vera after-Sun Lotion for the first time and LOVE it! I did want to make you aware of something I discovered though. I used aloe that was in my fridge (the exact kind you recommend), and I think that may have posed a tiny bit of a problem in that it basically created “pockets” of aloe juice and the mixture was not able to become “creamy”. It created the mixture to become cold and not pliable and didn’t allow the aloe juice to FULLY incorporate (leaving juice around the mixture that would not mix in). Just thought I would let you know. So I think if I made it again I would leave my 1 cup of aloe juice out to get to room temperature. Thanks for the recipe! I LOVE the way it makes my skin feel!!
Reply
Noelle says
GREAT advice! Thank you for that! I always open a new bottle to make it so I haven’t discovered that that’s an issue. Thanks so much!
Louise Hudson says
i made a trial after sun lotion yesterday after getting caught in the sun too long, its simply wonderful.
Ingredients
28 grams coconut oil
28 grams baobab oil
28 grams beeswax
2 desert spoons of moringa oil
2 desert spoons of meadowfoam oil
2 desert spoons of marula oil
1 1/2 desert spoon vitamin E oil
1/2 teaspoon of rosehip oil
100 grams of rose water
28 grams witch hazel
62 grams of aloe vera gel
2 heaped desert spoons of Aloe vera gel to add in at the end
I melted wax and oil’s in one pot.and warmed the rose water witch hazel and aloe vera in another.
Then slowly poured the melted oil’s into the warmed rosewater mix, while stick blending the mixture. It immediately emulsified and went creamy white, i stick blended until it was all creamy and mixed together then added the extra 2 heaped desert spoon’s of aloe vera.
I then added 50 drops of rose essential oil. This was just an extra,i had in my cupboard, you could easily leave this without any essential oils, or choose one of your own particular liking.It turned out absolutely wonderful. will keep in the fridge until used.
Reply
Noelle says
Thank you for sharing!
Nancy Wiesner says
Shea butter triggers my asthma. Is there a substitute I can use? TY
Reply
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
You can try another butter, like cocoa butter.
Janet says
Just want to ask how much does this recipe make?
Reply
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
About 2 cups!
Alison Sutherland says
I have plastic jars can I use them instead of glass?
Reply
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
I don’t recommend that.
Nikky says
Good afternoon, please is this recipe good for oily skin. And can it replace a normal sunscreen or i still need to buy a sunscreen. Because am scared of the products darkening me.
Thank youNoelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
It’s fine for oily skin. Definitely apply a non-nano mineral sunscreen!
Michelle says
Hi! I love this! I noticed that I have some “clumps” in mine. Did I not blend it long enough?
Thanks!
Reply
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
It likely happened during blending. If you blend too fast, it will separate.
Charlie says
Can we use other carrier oils instead of olive? I would love to try this with jojoba or hemp seed oils.
Reply
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
Yes!
Patricia says
This is crazy because I literally made up my own recipe for this a couple of days ago, and it was almost identical to yours. My only change was infusing cannabis and CBD flower into the coconut oil because it helps calm and relax the mind, body, and skin without any kind of high. 🙂 It’s also just very good for the skin, too.
Reply
Siti fatimah jamaludin says
Can used nano zinc oxide for this resepi?
Reply
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
Haven’t tried it! But let me know if you do!
Leslie says
Thank you for this recipe. I used Avocado oil instead of Olive oil. I really love this just as an everyday lotion.
Reply
Gwen says
Where do you buy Shea butter
Reply
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
Hi Gwen! Click on “shea butter” in the recipe above. I link directly to the shea butter I recommend and you can buy it there.
Vivianne says
I’m wondering if this ruins the blender since you mention “if it gets stuck, then hand blend it”
Also, what do you clean the blender with afterwards? Does this leave a residue on the blender cup ?Reply
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
Definitely doesn’t ruin the blender. To clean the blender, I just use soap and water. No residue!
Natalie says
Can I use the aloe fresh from the plant?
Reply
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
No, you need to use aloe vera gel.
Veerna says
Can I use drinkable aloe Vera. I purchased it from Amazon and can’t return it.
Reply
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
You’ll get the best results using a natural aloe vera gel. Aloe vera juice or homemade gel will not work the same.
Pepper says
What is a modified double boiler? And I do not like lavender or peppermint. What essential oil can I add to increase the beachy coconut scent?
Reply
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
It’s a pot with a glass bowl on top. It heats things without exposing it to direct heat. You can use any skin safe essential oil that you want!
