After-Sun Herbal Salve

An After-Sun Herbal Salve is a soothing, natural skincare product designed to hydrate, cool, and repair skin after sun exposure. These salves typically use plant-based ingredients to alleviate sunburn, reduce redness, and prevent peeling while promoting healing. Below is a simple DIY recipe, key ingredients, and application tips.

Key Ingredients in After-Sun Herbal Salve

Common ingredients in after-sun salves are chosen for their moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, and healing properties. Here are a few products that will protect the skin after being in the sun all day:

Aloe Vera: Soothes and hydrates skin, reduces redness, and aids in healing sunburns. Fresh aloe vera gel or high-quality pre-made gel can be used for potent effects.

Coconut Oil: A natural moisturizer with antibacterial and antifungal properties, it helps reduce itching and peeling.

Shea Butter: Deeply moisturizes and nourishes dry or chapped skin.

Beeswax: Forms a protective barrier to lock in moisture and has anti-inflammatory properties.

Calendula: Anti-inflammatory and skin-healing, ideal for soothing irritated or sunburned skin.

Lavender: Calms skin and provides pain relief with its antispasmodic properties. Often used as an essential oil or infused in carrier oils.

Peppermint Essential Oil: Provides a cooling sensation, relieving the heat of sunburn.

Olive Oil: Moisturizes and reduces peeling; can be infused with herbs like calendula or lavender for added benefits.

Comfrey: Promotes skin cell regeneration and reduces inflammation, though it should not be used on open wounds.

Vitamin E Oil: An antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals and supports skin repair.

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How To Make After-Sun Herbal Salve

1.  Infuse the Oil (if not using pre-infused oil): Place 2 tbsp dried calendula and 3 tbsp dried lavender in a quart size mason jar with 16 oz of sweet almond or olive oil. Let sit for 2-4 weeks, shaking daily. Making a big batch of the oil will allow you to either multiply the recipe or have it on hand when you need to make more. Store in a cool dark place.

2.  Melt Base Ingredients: In a double boiler over medium-low heat, combine infused oil, coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax. Stir until fully melted. Alternately, place a glass bowl in a pan of boiling water. This will act as a make-shift double boiler.

3.  Cool Slightly: Remove from heat and let the mixture cool until it’s no longer steaming but still liquid.

4.  Add Aloe and Essential Oil: Slowly mix in the aloe vera gel using a hand mixer or emulsion blender for a smooth consistency. Add peppermint essential oil (optional) and stir well.

5.  Store: Pour into a 2 oz airtight container (e.g., a tin or glass jar). Store in the fridge to extend shelf life or in a cool place (about 4-6 months).

Benefits of After-Sun Herbal Salve

Soothes Sunburn: Ingredients like aloe vera and peppermint cool the skin and reduce discomfort.

Hydrates: Oils and butters restore moisture lost from sun exposure, preventing peeling.

Promotes Healing: Calendula, comfrey, and lavender support skin repair and reduce inflammation.

Eco-Friendly: Most recipes use natural, plant-based ingredients, making them safe for sensitive skin and environmentally conscious.

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Application Tips

Apply Generously: Rub the salve gently onto sunburned or sun-exposed skin after a cool shower to remove sunscreen, salt, or sweat. Re-apply as needed, especially after waking or showering.

Avoid Open Wounds: Do not apply on severe burns or open skin; seek medical attention for such cases.

Store in Fridge: Keeps the salve cool for a soothing effect and extends shelf life.

Patch Test: Test on a small area first, especially if using essential oils, to ensure no allergic reactions.

Tools Used in This Recipe

Dried Calendula, Lavender and Comfrey

Beeswax

Shea Butter

Aloe Vera Gel

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Vitamin E Oil

Where To Buy

If you prefer ready-made salves, options are available:

Sunshine and Sooth Salve

After Sun Nourishing Salve

Tallow After Sun Butter

Notes

Shelf Life: Homemade salves last about 1-6 months when stored in the fridge, depending on ingredients. Fresh aloe shortens shelf life unless preservatives are used.

Customization: Swap peppermint for lavender or chamomile essential oil for a milder scent or different benefits.

Sources

Givol O, Kornhaber R, Visentin D, Cleary M, Haik J, Harats M. A systematic review of Calendula officinalis extract for wound healing. Wound Repair Regen. 2019 Sep;27(5):548-561. doi: 10.1111/wrr.12737. Epub 2019 Jun 20. PMID: 31145533.

Staiger C. Comfrey root: from tradition to modern clinical trials. Wien Med Wochenschr. 2013 Feb;163(3-4):58-64. doi: 10.1007/s10354-012-0162-4. Epub 2012 Dec 7. PMID: 23224633; PMCID: PMC3580139.

Samuelson R, Lobl M, Higgins S, Clarey D, Wysong A. The Effects of Lavender Essential Oil on Wound Healing: A Review of the Current Evidence. J Altern Complement Med. 2020 Aug;26(8):680-690. doi: 10.1089/acm.2019.0286. Epub 2020 Jun 24. PMID: 32589447.

Zainal Z, Khaza’ai H, Kutty Radhakrishnan A, Chang SK. Therapeutic potential of palm oil vitamin E-derived tocotrienols in inflammation and chronic diseases: Evidence from preclinical and clinical studies. Food Res Int. 2022 Jun;156:111175. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2022.111175. Epub 2022 Mar 21. PMID: 35651097.

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After-Sun Herbal Salve

Yield: 2 oz

Materials

• 3 tbsp Calendula and Lavender Oil
• 2 tbsp Coconut Oil
• 1 tbsp Shea Butter
• 1 tbsp Beeswax (preferably, from a local bee farm)
• 2 tbsp Aloe Vera Gel
• 8-10 drops Peppermint Essential Oil (optional)

Instructions

• Place 3 tbsp dried calendula and 3 tbsp dried lavender in a quart size mason jar with 16 oz of sweet almond or olive oil. Let sit for 2 -4 weeks, shaking daily. This will give you enough to make more salves in case you want to multiply the recipe.
• In a double boiler over medium-low heat, combine infused oil, coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax. Stir until fully melted. Alternately, place a glass bowl in a pan of boiling water with all of the above ingredients. This will be a make-shift double boiler.
• Remove from heat and let the mixture cool until it’s no longer steaming but still liquid.
• Slowly mix in the aloe vera gel using a hand mixer or emulsion blender for a smooth consistency. Add peppermint essential oil (optional) and stir well.
• Pour into a 2 oz airtight container (e.g., a tin or glass jar). Store in the fridge or a cool place to extend shelf life (about 4-6 months).

I hope this After-Sun Herbal Salve will keep your sunburn feeling cool and comforted this Summer. Make a big batch and share with your friends and family.

Wendy Lea Walker, NTP

Nutritional Therapy Practitioner

I’m Wendy. A wife, empty-nester mama, homemaker, homebaker, gardener and small-time farmer. I love sharing wisdom and mistakes I’ve learned along the way. Anyone can garden or homestead, no matter where you live. It’s a mindset. You just have to start somewhere. I believe food is medicine. Feed the body real whole foods and healing will begin.

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The content on our website is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice. It is also not intended to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Wendy Walker, NTP (Little House Simple Living) and the publisher of this content do not take responsibility. This applies to any health consequences that might occur. It applies to any person reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content should consult their physicians. This is especially true for those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications. They should do this before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.