Protective
Nourishing
£10.00
250 ml
4 options
Repairing
Nourishing
£12.00
200 ml
Protective
Firming
£7.50
100 ml
3 options
Nourishing
£7.00
200 ml
An after-sun product is a skincare product designed to be applied to the skin after sun exposure. Its formula is designed to address the specific needs of skin that has been exposed to UV rays, which is often dehydrated, irritated or inflamed. After-sun products come in various forms: lotions, creams, gels, oils or balms, each offering benefits tailored to different skin types and specific needs.
When you are exposed to the sun, your skin is subjected to several immediate stresses:
Sunburn: Overexposure to UVB rays can cause skin burns, resulting in redness, pain and sometimes even blisters.
Dehydration: UV rays and heat cause the water in the skin to evaporate. This leads to skin dryness of varying severity.
Irritation and inflammation: UV rays trigger an inflammatory reaction, often accompanied by redness and a stinging sensation.
To prevent these effects, or to minimise their impact, it is important to apply an after-sun product. Applying an after-sun lotion or cream not only deeply moisturises the skin, but also helps to repair the damage caused by the sun and its UV rays. When applied immediately after sun exposure, these products help to restore the skin’s barrier and soothe any feelings of heat or tightness. When chosen carefully, they also help to prolong the life of your tan. In short, it is a beauty and health routine that helps to keep the skin soft, supple, radiant and tanned.
What is an after-sun product actually for? Is it really essential? What are its long-term benefits? We tell you all about its benefits.
Intensely moisturises and soothes: One of the main benefits of an after-sun product is its ability to restore moisture. Often formulated with ingredients such as aloe vera, hyaluronic acid or shea butter, they help to compensate for the loss of moisture suffered after sun exposure. These active ingredients intensely rehydrate the skin and provide it with all the comfort it needs on a daily basis.
Repairs the skin and helps it to regenerate: After-sun products are enriched with vitamins A, C and E, moisturising agents and antioxidant active ingredients, all recognised for their restorative and antioxidant properties. These vitamins accelerate cell regeneration and protect the skin against oxidative stress. When we spend time in the sun, the skin is exposed to free radicals, which tend to accelerate skin ageing. An after-sun product will therefore help to preserve the skin’s youthfulness and radiance.
Refreshes and reduces inflammation: Some after-sun products, in the form of gels or sprays, provide an immediate cooling effect. After sunburn, the skin tends to feel hot and stinging. Applying an after-sun product is designed to instantly soothe this sensation of heat. Anti-inflammatory ingredients such as allantoin or chamomile extract reduce redness whilst calming irritation. The skin is immediately relieved and soothed.
Prepares the skin for future sun exposure: Using an after-sun product also helps to strengthen the skin’s barrier, thereby preparing it for future sun exposure. By nourishing the skin and preventing dryness, this treatment helps to maintain a radiant tan for longer whilst protecting the skin from external aggressors.
Aloe vera is a must-have in after-sun skincare, thanks to its soothing, moisturising and restorative properties. When used as a gel, aloe vera is quickly absorbed by the skin and provides an immediate cooling sensation. It is the ideal solution for soothing sunburn irritation.
Rich in vitamins, minerals and enzymes, it helps to accelerate cell regeneration and promotes the healing of damaged tissue. Finally, its moisturising action strengthens the skin’s barrier, prevents dehydration and maintains the skin’s suppleness.
Our pure aloe vera gel is particularly recommended for treating sunburn as it is 100% natural, with no added fragrances, preservatives or cosmetic agents.
If you’re unsure which type of after-sun product to use, depending on your needs and preferences, here’s a short guide to the products you should know about.
After-sun oil
After-sun oils are skincare oils that deeply nourish the skin whilst enhancing your tan. Rich in essential fatty acids and vitamins, these oils help to repair skin dehydrated by the sun, whilst strengthening its natural protective barrier.
Monoï oil, for example, is infused with tiare flowers – a plant with moisturising and soothing properties – and has a captivating, unrivalled exotic fragrance. It’s the perfect after-sun treatment to make summer last longer.
An after-sun balm
After-sun balms are ultra-nourishing skincare products, specially formulated for dry, very damaged skin or skin that has been overexposed to the sun. Their rich, creamy texture, often enriched with plant-based butters such as shea butter or natural waxes, allows for deep skin repair.
These balms create a protective layer on the skin to lock in moisture and help rebuild the skin barrier. As well as providing intense nourishment, they soothe redness, relieve tightness and leave the skin supple and revitalised.
Our lipid-replenishing balm with oats and ceramides has a triple effect: soothing, anti-itch and lipid-replenishing, for enhanced protection against the effects of the sun.
Discover our lipid-replenishing balm with oats and ceramides.
An after-sun lotion
After-sun lotion is a light, fluid skincare product, designed for quick and pleasant application. It absorbs easily into the skin without leaving a greasy film, making it ideal for daily use after a day in the sun.
After-sun lotion is formulated to deeply moisturise whilst providing a refreshing sensation. Thanks to its light texture, it is suitable for all skin types, including combination to oily skin, which will appreciate its non-sticky finish.
Our neutral plant-based lotion absorbs easily into the skin, leaving it soft, supple and nourished, without any greasy residue.
An after-sun cream
After-sun cream, which is thicker than lotion, is suitable for skin that needs extra hydration – neither too light nor too heavy. It is ideal for mature or particularly dehydrated skin.
Often enriched with restorative ingredients such as ceramides, peptides or vitamin E, after-sun cream helps to restore the skin’s barrier whilst preventing skin ageing. It is ideal for treating drier or more sensitive areas of the body, such as the face, décolletage and hands.
It is important to remember that whilst after-sun helps to soothe the skin following prolonged exposure, it does not protect against the sun’s UV rays. It is therefore not a protective barrier, but rather a restorative treatment for mild sunburn.
Fancy making your own after-sun treatment? Here are three simple recipes to make summer last a little longer:
Moisturising after-sun body lotion
1 x 10 ml bottle
1
Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.
2
Decant the mixture into a bottle using the funnel.
Store your bottle away from light and heat.
* Shelf life: If stored correctly and manufactured under optimal hygienic conditions, your product will keep for at least 3 months.
Soothing after-sun roll-on
Organic Bulgarian True Lavender Essential Oil
0.4 g, or 15 drops
Advice
The spoon should be level: to do this, run a spatula or the edge of a knife along the spoon to remove any excess product.
1
Put all the ingredients into a roll-on bottle.
2
Close the bottle and shake.
Note: the pH of this formulation is approximately 5.0–6.0.
Store your roll-on away from heat and light.
* Shelf life: If stored correctly and manufactured under optimal hygienic conditions, your product will keep for at least 3 months.
After-sun care to prolong your tan
Phase A
Mineral water
33 g
Phase B
0.4 g, or 13 drops
Phase A
Mineral water
33 ml
Phase B
13 drops
Advice
The scoop and spoons are levelled off: to do this, run a spatula or the edge of a knife along the scoop or spoon to remove any excess product.
1
Place phase A (the Olivem 1000 emulsifier, coconut oil and mineral water) in a bowl, then heat the mixture in a bain-marie.
2
Once the emulsifier has completely melted (T=75°C/80°C), remove the bowl from the bain-marie and shake vigorously for about 4 minutes (until T ≤ 50°C).
3
Place the bowl in a little cold water and continue stirring until it has cooled down.
4
Add phase B (the remaining ingredients), mixing thoroughly after each addition.
5
Transfer the mixture into a jar.
Note : the pH of this formulation is approximately 4.5–5.5.
Store your jar away from light and heat.
* Shelf life: If stored correctly and made under optimal hygienic conditions, your product will keep for at least 1 month.
Some people may be sensitive to certain ingredients in after-sun products, particularly fragrances or preservatives. It is therefore advisable to test the product on a small area of skin before applying it to the whole body. You should also avoid products containing alcohol, as these can dry out the skin.
Finally, if your sunburn starts to bleed or your skin blisters, do not hesitate to consult a GP or a dermatologist to avoid any risk of secondary infection.
To make your tan last even longer, we recommend adding a few drops of self-tanner to your after-sun cream. Your tan will be even more golden and defined, without you even having to go out in the sun!
When should you apply after-sun cream?
It is recommended that you apply after-sun cream immediately after sun exposure. Ideally, we advise applying it after a shower to remove any sun cream, salt or chlorine from the skin.
Applying it straight away helps to rehydrate and soothe the skin immediately, reducing the risk of tightness, redness and dryness. If your skin still feels dry or your sunburn stings later in the day, you can reapply the cream to prolong its effects.
What are the health benefits of the sun?
Sunlight is very good for your health, but only in small doses. One of its main benefits is its role in the production of vitamin D. This vitamin is essential for the health of your bones, teeth and immune system. Moderate exposure to the sun can also improve your mood by increasing the production of serotonin, the ‘happiness hormone’.
Finally, the sun can help regulate the circadian rhythm to promote good-quality sleep. But be careful: it’s important to be cautious when exposing yourself to the sun to avoid the harmful effects of UV rays.
Laura is a health, beauty and lifestyle writer. Passionate about travel and gastronomy, she shares her nutritional advice on how to combine pleasure and well-being. Through her articles, she aims to provide you with meaningful information and practical advice to nourish your body and mind.
