Best Lotions to Use After Tanning for Glowing Healthy Skin
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We’ve all been there: a nice sunny day spent at the salty beach, we had too much sun exposure and now we need something to help our skin heal. Here are the best after-sun lotions to help you bring your skin to life! By the way, to make sure you are protected from harmful UV rays next time, check some of the best clean sunscreens!
If you are new to the concept of clean beauty, please click here for a detailed comprehensive guide on a topic.
Top Picks at a Glance
BEST OVERALL: A-Derma Protect AH Repairing Milk After Sun | $24
BEST WITH ALOE VERA: Aromatica 95% Organic Aloe Vera Gel | $15
BEST TO KEEP TAN: Cetaphil Advance Relief Cream Unscented | $15
BEST AGAINST PEELING: Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream | $14
BEST FOR FACE: La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5 | $17
BEST FOR ACNE-PRONE SKIN: Dune Suncare The Lifeguard Miracle Rescue Aloe Vera Gel | $23
BEST FOR SENSITIVE SKIN: Eucerin Advanced Hydration After Sun Lotion for Face and Body| $10
BEST FOR CHILDREN: Wash with Water Sun Hero After Sun Hydrating Body & Facial Lotion| $25
BEST WITH PANTENOL: Purito B5 Panthenol Re-barrier Cream | $17
BEST COOLING EFFECT: Attitude After Sun Melt-In Gel, Mint & Cucumber | $16
BEST FOR LIPS: Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve Lip Balm Aloe Butter | $6
BEST FOR SCALP: Babo Botanicals After Sun Aloe Vera & Cucumber Soothing Mist | $14
Reviews
Best Overall
Volume: 250ml | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid | Unscented
Why It Is Great: A clean and extremely hydrating formula leaves a beautiful natural glow. Overall experience is great for the majority of people. Works for all skin types.
What to Consider: Might be difficult to find in the US.
This is a well-known French brand that has a very lightweight aftersun lotion that is filled with hyaluronic acid and melts into the skin like a dream. With this lotion, your skin is in good hands.
The formulation of this after-sun product is lightweight enough to be comfortable to use on your entire body, even your face. Yes, even if your skin is acne-prone. You can even substitute your moisturizer with this stuff. It doesn’t peel off your face if you are not extremely oily, it repairs your skin quickly without leaving a residue.
Best with Aloe Vera
Volume: 10.14oz | Key Ingredients: Aloe Vera | Unscented
Why It Is Great: Natural Organic Formula that is lightweight on the skin and gives instant relief for burns.
What to Consider: It has rosemary, which can be highly allergic to some people and has a specific smell to it.
One of the best ingredients to put on your skin after you spend a bit too much time under the sun is aloe vera. This aloe vera gel is 96% pure natural aloe gel. It heals the skin, moisturizes it deeply, and even helps with hyperpigmentation due to the rosemary oil inside of it.
As it is multifunctional, you can use it on your hair on dryer days. It is clean, without any added toxic ingredients, and affordable for a big bottle.
Best to Keep Tan
Volume: 6 oz. | Key Ingredients: Shea Butter, Vitamin E | Uncsented
Why It Is Great: Shea Butter in this cream will help keep your skin healthy and tanned. Perfect for dry skin and normal skin type. It is a great deal for the price.
What to Consider: This cream may seem greasy to some people as it leaves a protective shield to keep the moisture. You may skip this one if you are prone to acne.
Regularly applying shea butter products can extend your tan’s life and give you the best results when trying to keep your hard-earned tan for longer. This cream is filled with amazing ingredients to help your skin restore after aggressive sun exposure.
Best Against Peeling
Volume: 1lb. | Unscented
Why It Is Great: Multipurpose moisturizer is great to have at all times, not only as an after-sun care. Vanicream is generally considered the best moisturizer on the market at such an attractive price point.
What to Consider: This is a cream consistency, If you like lightweight formula, this one might not be a good fit for you. The smell of it can be slightly different from batch to batch.
We all know Vanicream and the majority of us already have it at home. You already know that hydration of the skin is the best thing we can do to take care of the skin after sun exposure. There is a big chance that your tan will not peel just if you moisturize your skin enough after tanning.
Sure, it doesn’t apply to severe cases of sunburn. If you have exactly that, scroll down for a perfect solution.
Best for Face
Volume: 1.35 fl.oz. | Key Ingredients: Shea Butter, Vitamin B5 | Unscented
Why It Is Great: Multipurpose healing ointment that helps your skin restore its barrier in no time. It should be in every home.
What to Consider: Some people just prefer a lighter consistency on their skin. Other than this, this thing is a must.
A staple in any skincare routine. Almost any skin concern can be at least partly solved by using this ointment. When our skin is sensitive and red after sun exposure it barrier has been destroyed. This cream is perfect for restoring that barrier.
Check out this minimalist skincare to see more of what this ointment is capable of.
Best For Acne-Prone Skin
Volume: 8.4 fl oz | Key Ingredients: Aloe Vera | Has a Peppermint Scent
Why It Is Great: It has a very lightweight non-sticky formula that is super refreshing after a long day in the sun. It doesn’t clog pores, which is a big deal for those of us with acne-prone skin.
What to Consider: Mint can be irritating for some people’s sensitive skin, opt for an unscented after-sun lotion if that’s your case.
Dune skincare is owned by small business owners, two passionate about suncare women.
This gel has a lovely non-sticky formula that instantly cools your skin and gives you up to 72 hours of hydration. Which is precisely what dried sun skin may need. The lotion is vegan and doesn’t contain harmful ingredients. Due to its formula, it is a perfect after-sun lotion for people who have acne-prone skin. It does not have any ingredients that can potentially clog pores and cause breakouts.
Best For Sensitive Skin
Volume: 6.8 fl.oz. | Key Ingredients: Antioxidants and Shea Butter | Has a Hypoallergenic Fragrance
Why It Is Great: Non-greasy at all, soaks fast into the skin. It cools, hydrates and at the same time is perfect even for the most sensitive skin.
What to Consider: It has a floral scent that some people will not appreciate. Check all the unscented options in the list
This is a great affordable post-tanning lotion for sensitive skin that you can find in a drugstore. Despite being filled with rich oils like shea butter, the formula doesn’t feel sticky. Eucerin after-sun lotion is hypoallergenic, and non-comedogenic, it is free of parabens, dyes, and phthalates with a mild, hypoallergenic fragrance. It even works great on people with extremely dry skin. Check it out, as it is a definite nugget.
Best for Children and Babies
Volume: 3.4 fl.oz | Key Ingredients: Organic Moroccan Argan, Soothing Aloe Vera, and Coconut Oils | Unscented
Why It Is Great: It has nontoxic, clean ingredients, free of harmful chemicals, and synthetic fragrances. Formula that absorbs into the skin leaving it soft and healthy. Also, it is cruelty-free.
What to Consider: It might be not the best option for acne-prone skin due to the amount of rich oils it has.
Wash with Water is one of those conscious brands that offer non-toxic, working products for a reasonable price. Here we have a lightweight lotion good for the body and the face with soothing ingredients.
It can be used as a daily moisturizer and is good for babies and children because here we can be sure that the product is completely safe. Grab your one for the whole family!
Best with D-Pantenol. Mild Sunburns Solution
Volume: 2.70 fl.oz. | Key Ingredients: D-Panthenol, Niacinamide, Squalane, and Centella Asiatica Extract | Unscented
Why It Is Great: Great for bad cases of sunburn, where your skin is not only red but starts bubbling up.
What to Consider: It may peel on oily or acne-prone skin.
This cream does a great job of healing sunburns. Active ingredients include d-panthenol which is used often for healing even severe cases of skin burns or sunburns.
This cream also helps to restore your skin barrier. It is rich with other active ingredients like niacinamide that help to soothe damaged skin and heal it faster.
Best with a Cooling Effect
Volume: 5.2 fl.oz. | Key Ingredients: Shea Butter, Calendula | Light Minty Scent with a Note of Cucumber
Why It Is Great: Non-greasy, non-toxic formula that helps with the inflammation of the skin. Gives almost instant relief.
What to Consider: The smell of it might be too strong for some people.
Attitude After Sun Melt-In Gel has a whole bunch of amazing things in it to help your skin cool itself. It just makes your skin alive again, calendula helps to reduce inflammation in the skin and calms it down.
Applying this after your extended sunbath gives great relief that can only be compared to having a cold shower in the middle of the heat wave.
Best for Lips
Volume: 0.5fl.oz. | Key Ingredients: Aloe Butter, Mint Oil | Minty Scent
Why It Is Great: This balm doesn’t only heal your lips after a sunburn but plumps your skin a bit due to the mint oil in it. What a combo!
What to Consider: As it has a minty scent to it, it can be irritating for some people.
Putting aloe vera on your lips when they are dried out by the sun exposure is a very good idea. This nourishing lip balm made by a small business owner has clean ingredients and will help your lips heal pretty quickly. So getting this balm is supporting a small business owner and giving our lips all those beneficial ingredients they crave so much right now. Great deal.
Best for Scalp
Volume: 5.5 fl.oz. | Key Ingredients: Aloe Leaf Juice, Witch Hazel, Green tea | Green Tea and Cucumber
Why It Is Great: Natural ingredients, our favorite aloe vera, full of anti-inflammatory ingredients to help soothe the skin, super-handy spray format.
What to Consider: Witch hazel in the ingredient might be irritating for a few people. But the chance that this will give you any irritation is small.
Burned scalp is always tricky. It is difficult to treat. But this a perfect solution to your overly exposed to sun scalp. This spray is easy to use, doesn’t make your hair greasy and just is refreshing. Full of natural ingredients, this mist is non-toxic and soothing.
By the way, this spray can even help you extend the life of your spray tan as it is oil-free and locks the moisture in the skin. Just put this spray on your body after the first shower since putting your spray tan.
Any kind of tan, doesn’t matter if it is sunless or with sun exposure will stay on for a long time if we moisturize our skin enough.
Tips For Choosing a Great After-Sun Lotion
When choosing an after-sun lotion, consider factors like your skin type, ingredients, and any specific concerns you have. Look for products that contain soothing ingredients like aloe vera, cucumber extract, or calendula, which can help hydrate and calm sun-exposed skin.
Choose formulas that are lightweight and fast-absorbing, so they won’t leave your skin feeling greasy or sticky. Additionally, check for products that are free from harsh chemicals, artificial fragrances, and alcohol, as these can further irritate sunburned skin.
If you have sensitive skin or allergies, consider choosing a hypoallergenic or fragrance-free option.
Lastly, be sure to read reviews and testimonials from other users to get an idea of how well the product works and whether it delivers on its promises.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does After-Sun Lotion Do?
The after-sun lotion is specifically formulated to soothe and moisturize the skin after exposure to the sun. It helps to replenish lost moisture, soothe any sunburn or irritation, and promote skin repair.
By providing hydration and calming ingredients like aloe vera or cucumber extract, after-sun lotion helps to alleviate discomfort and prevent peeling. Applying after-sun lotion after sun exposure can help to keep your skin hydrated, nourished, and feeling refreshed.
What Is the Difference Between After-Sun Lotion and Sunscreen?
The main difference between after-sun lotion and sunscreen lies in their purpose and application. Sunscreen is applied before sun exposure to protect the skin from harmful UV rays, while after-sun lotion is used after sun exposure to soothe and moisturize the skin.
Sunscreen helps prevent sunburn and long-term skin damage by blocking or absorbing UV radiation, whereas after-sun lotion helps to alleviate any sunburn or irritation that may have occurred despite sunscreen use. While sunscreen is essential for preventing sun damage, after-sun lotion provides relief and hydration after sun exposure, promoting skin recovery.
Do You Really Need After-Sun Products?
Whether you need after-sun products depends on your skin’s reaction to sun exposure. If you tend to experience sunburn, redness, or dryness after spending time outdoors, after-sun products can be beneficial. They help to soothe and hydrate the skin, promoting faster recovery and minimizing discomfort.
However, if your skin doesn’t typically react adversely to sun exposure, you may not require after-sun products as frequently. It ultimately comes down to personal preference and how your skin responds to sunlight. If you find that after-sun products provide relief and comfort after sun exposure, they can be a worthwhile addition to your skincare routine.
When Should You Put Aftersun On?
You should apply aftersun lotion immediately after sun exposure or as soon as you notice any signs of sunburn or skin irritation. It’s essential to apply it generously to clean, dry skin, focusing on areas that are most affected by the sun, like the face, shoulders, and back.
Reapply the aftersun product regularly throughout the day, especially after swimming or sweating, to keep your skin hydrated and soothe any discomfort.
Is After-Sun Better Than a Moisturizer?
After-sun products and moisturizers serve different purposes. While moisturizers help maintain skin hydration and prevent dryness, after-sun lotions are specifically formulated to soothe sun-exposed skin and provide relief from sunburn.
After-sun lotions often contain ingredients like aloe vera and antioxidants, which help cool and hydrate the skin while reducing inflammation caused by sun exposure. However, if you have dry or sensitive skin, you can use a moisturizer in addition to after-sun lotion to provide extra hydration and nourishment.
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