Whether you've spent the afternoon at the seaside or simply pottering in the garden, a day outdoors leaves its mark. Your skin can feel warm, tight and noticeably drier than usual, even when there's no sign of redness. That's where aftersun care comes in.
A few simple steps will cool your skin down, top up its moisture and bring back that comfortable feeling by the next morning.
What is natural aftersun care?
Aftersun care covers everything you put on your skin once you're back indoors: cooling gels, aftersun lotions, moisturising balms, body oils and refreshing mists. Unlike sunscreen, it doesn't protect you from UV rays. Its job comes afterwards: restoring comfort and moisture to skin that's spent the day in the heat.
A natural aftersun is formulated with ingredients of natural origin such as aloe vera, shea butter, carrier oils, infused oils and plant-based active ingredients. They're chosen for their gentle, kind-to-skin feel, and that fits with the NHS's own advice for skin that's caught the sun: reach for an aftersun cream or spray, or an unperfumed moisturiser.
The different types of natural aftersun products
There's a natural after sun for every need. Texture is your best guide:
Cooling gels for skin that feels hot: our Organic Native Aloe Vera Gel contains 93% organic aloe vera juice and feels wonderfully fresh on the skin. Pop it in the fridge for an extra-cooling hit.
Rich balms for skin that feels tight and dry: the Lipid-Replenishing Balm with Oats & Ceramide NP is made for skin crying out for comfort. For a back-to-basics option, Pure Shea Butter, the Monoï & Shea Butter Balm and our Organic Coconut Balm melt into the skin and leave it feeling soft.
Carrier oils and infused oils to make the most of your tan: Apricot Oil, Organic Monoï Infused Oil and the Dry Oil with Precious Oils leave a satin finish on sun-kissed skin. Organic Carrot Infused Oil has long been a summer favourite for showing off a golden glow.
Mists and hydrosols for a quick refresh: Organic Roman Chamomile Hydrosol and the
Orange Blossom Body & Hair Care Mist are easy to spritz on throughout the evening.
Essential oils known for their soothing reputation:
Spike Lavender, German Chamomile and Annual Tansy (Blue Chamomile) are traditionally included in aftersun skincare rituals. Always dilute them in a carrier oil or balm.
Targeted active ingredients for your homemade aftersun: Bisabolol, a plant-derived active found in chamomile, is known for its soothing properties and is ideal for sensitive, uncomfortable-feeling skin. Our Skin Repair active ingredient is designed for skin that feels tired after the summer. Oligo'Bronz, an active derived from brown kelp, is used in aftersun and self-tanning formulas to enhance a golden glow.
When should you use a natural after sun?
After sun care works best as part of a summer-long routine rather than a one-off. In the weeks before your holiday, moisturising your skin every day helps it feel comfortable and supple when the sunny days arrive.
After a day in the sun, apply your aftersun care as soon as you're back indoors to cool the skin, deeply moisturise it and soothe any feeling of tightness or discomfort. Keep it up morning and night in the days that follow: well-moisturised skin tends to peel less, which helps your tan last longer. It's also the perfect time to look after your anti-ageing routine, with nourishing oils such as Organic Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil and the Youth-Enhancing Cream.
How to choose your natural after sun
Your choice depends on your skin type, the texture you prefer (gel, milk, lotion, cream, balm or oil) and what your skin needs most:
For immediate freshness: go for a light texture such as aloe vera gel or a hydrosol mist.
For dry or sensitive skin: a lipid-rich balm or shea butter will bring lasting comfort.
For combination or oily skin: choose lightweight textures. Essential oils such as Spike Lavender and German Chamomile are traditionally known for their purifying properties and can help skin feel fresher when blended into a light gel.
To make the most of your tan: infused oils such as carrot and Monoï, or homemade formulas with Oligo'Bronz, help show off a golden glow.
After sun for your face
The skin on your face is finer and more exposed than the rest of your body, so it deserves its own after sun routine. A light, no-frills moisturiser such as our Neutral Moisturising Cream is a safe bet after a day outdoors. If your complexion looks a little dull once the holiday's over, a few Hyaluronic Acid & Vitamin C Highlighting Drops can be mixed into your usual cream.
How to build your aftersun routine
Once you're out of the sun, start with a cool shower to rinse off sand, salt and chlorine. The NHS recommends cooling sun-exposed skin this way, or with a bath or a damp towel. Pat yourself dry, then mist your face and body with a soothing hydrosol such as Roman Chamomile.
Next, apply a generous layer of aloe vera gel or aftersun lotion. On areas that tend to feel driest, follow with a balm or a few drops of oil to seal everything in. Don't forget to drink plenty of water.
Once a week, a clay mask helps keep your complexion looking radiant. Wait until your skin is back to normal before using a gentle exfoliator such as our Organic Sugar Body Scrub, and never use it on peeling skin, since the NHS advises against removing it.
Make your own after sun balm
If you enjoy making your own skincare, an aftersun balm is one of the easiest recipes to start with. Gently melt shea butter, then blend in nourishing carrier oils such as apricot oil and a soothing active ingredient such as Bisabolol. Finish with a few drops of an essential oil known for its soothing reputation, such as True Lavender or Annual Tansy.
Massage it gently into skin that feels warm and tight after a day outdoors. Always follow the dilution guidance in our essential oil guides, and do a patch test on a small area of skin before using any new blend.
Support your skin from within
Some people like to prepare their skin ahead of summer with food supplements. Our Sun Complex, Astaxanthin and Melanin capsules can complement your skincare routine. Food supplements should not replace a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.
Sunburn: when aftersun care isn't enough
After sun products are designed for skin that's simply had a long day in the sun. For actual sunburn, we recommend getting out of the sun straight away, cooling the skin, and applying aftersun or a neutral moisturiser. Avoid ice packs and never pop blisters, if you have them.
Contact your GP if your skin is blistered or swollen, or if you have a high temperature, feel hot, cold or shivery, or experience dizziness, nausea, headaches or muscle cramps. Babies and young children with sunburn need medical attention straight away.
Discover 10 tips to soothe a sunburn on your face!
Prevention comes first
The best aftersun routine starts before you head outside. The NHS recommends seeking shade between 11 am and 3 pm from March to October, when the sun is strongest in the UK. Use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and 4-star UVA protection, and reapply it every two hours, as well as straight after swimming, sweating or towelling off.
A wide-brimmed hat, close-weave clothing and good sunglasses complete the picture, because sunscreen alone isn't enough.
If you'd like a golden glow without the extra sun exposure, our Organic Self-Tanning Drops can be mixed into your usual moisturiser.
How to store your natural aftersun products
Follow the precautions for use shown on the packaging. Natural formulas are best kept somewhere cool and dry, away from direct sunlight. That means not leaving them baking in a beach bag or on a sunny windowsill.
Ready to put together your summer skincare kit? Browse our suncare products to protect your skin before you head out, then come back here for everything you need once the day is done.
