Today we are going to put on hold our summer DIY series. Instead, I am going to propose some natural solutions for after sun mist. These natural after-sun mists are going to be your summer best friends! Let’s look into it.
After-Sun Treatment is important because:
Time outdoors in the sun is good for the soul and great for getting a tan. But sun exposure can cause cellular damage resulting in red, hot, and peeling skin. Long-term damage includes signs of premature aging – dark spots, fine lines, and wrinkles. You can’t undo sun damage, but you can minimize the risk of its effects by hydrating, exfoliating, and moisturising your skin.
Why skin needs after sun care
The sun is your best friend when it comes to achieving a tanned glow. Unfortunately, it can also be your skin’s worst enemy. At first, your skin is red, hot, and sore – then you itch and peel. Even after the sunburn has gone, long-term damage to your skin can lead to dryness, fine lines and wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation.
Caring for your skin before, during, and after sun exposure is more important today than ever before. The earth’s natural shield – the ozone layer in the stratosphere – absorbs a portion of the radiation from the sun, preventing it from reaching the planet’s surface (Most importantly, it absorbs the portion of UV light called UVB) – is depleted [source]. This means we have less natural protection from UVA and UVB rays. That being said, no matter how well you protect your skin, no broadspectrum sunscreen can offer 100% protection against UV rays. That’s why it is important to include a natural after-sun mist in your sun care regime to help keep your skin in top condition.
How to take care of your skin after sun exposure
There are three steps for your after-sun skincare regime. There are hydrating, exfoliating, and moisturising. Today we are going to look into the perspective of hydrating your skin with a natural solution — Hydrosol. Hydrosols are the aromatic remains following a plant’s steam distillation process. They consist entirely of cellular botanical water, which includes unique water-soluble compounds that provide each hydrosol with distinct characteristics and benefits. They have gentler effects than essential oils. However, they do contain very small trace amounts of essential oil, but not enough to where the oil will separate and float to the top (you don’t have to shake a hydrosol before using it).
This botanical water contains medicinal properties from the plant that could hydrate and heal your skin in a gentle way. Below are some hydrosols from Plant Therapy that could take care of your skin by deeply hydrating it. They will help soothe and cool dry, sun-exposed skin, and the spray function means there is no need to touch dry and sensitive areas. These lovely hydrosols also come with a spray cap, so you can directly apply them to your skin. All you need to do is just swap the cap with the spray cap.
Top 3 Natural after-sun Mists
1. Lavender Hydrosol
- Botanical Name: Lavendula angustifolia
- Country of Origin: Italy
- Plant Part: Flowers
- Aromatic Scent: Floral with deep, earthy notes
- Get it here
2. Peppermint Hydrosol
I personally love to spray peppermint hydrosol right after a sunbath on the beach. Not only it hydrates you immediately, but you also feel refreshed and cooled almost instantly. Highly recommend!
- Botanical Name: Mentha x piperita
- Country of Origin: Italy
- Plant Part: Aerial Parts
- Aromatic Scent: Fresh, slightly earthy, familiar peppermint aroma
- Get it here
3. Organic Roman Chamomile Hydrosol
- Botanical Name: Anthemis nobilis
- Country of Origin: Italy
- Plant Part: Aerial Parts
- Aromatic Scent: Earthy, light floral aroma
- Get it here
Aloe Vera gel
Aloe vera gel is not exactly a mist per se but it helps hydrate and soothes the sun-exposed skin. Gentle and hydrating for all skin types, our Aloe Vera Jelly penetrates deeply, helping to soothe dry, irritated skin. You can apply it topically directly on your skin.
This aloe vera gel formulated by plant therapy contains below natural ingredients: Water/Aqua, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Carrageenan, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Geranium Maculatum (Wild Geranium) Extract, Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola) Extract, Taraxacum Officinale (Dandelion) Extract, and Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail) Extract.
Get it HERE!
Please DO Not….
- Do not apply oily balm on your sunburn area right after the sun, balms are generally heavy in oily ingredients, putting balms immediately will trap the heat on the sensitive area, it is totally opposite of what we want after exposed to sun for long hours.
- Do not make DIY recipes call for ingredients like vinegar, water and essential oils. No kidding. Do not even attempt. Vinegar is highly acidic, it will make your skin even more sensitive and itchy right afte the application. Water and oils don’t mix, without proper emulsifier, you will have a risk of spraying too much concentrated potent oil on the already sensitive area. Making it worst.
- Do not confused hydrosol with floral water, floral water don’t provide the same medicinal effect as hydrosol.
Remember…
- A real hydrosol contains no preservative. Therefore it is recommended that all hydrosols be stored in the refrigerator from the time of purchase. I suggest to buy just the amount you needed and restock it from time to time.
Conclusion
Rather than relying on aftersun to do the job afterward, we should always remember to apply sunblock to protect ourselves and re-apply every 2 hours. These hydrosol solutions are just the first step in hydrating your skin, the follow-up skincare should be exfoliating and moisturising our skin. When it comes to skin hydration, we should make it simple. Unlike essential oils that needed to be diluted before topical use, these hydrosols are a much gentle way to hydrate our skin, that being said you can apply topically directly and get the same medicinal effect, and most importantly they are kids friendly. On top of that, they also smell so good! You can enjoy that aromatherapy effect as an extra benefit! These hydrosols can also be double use as a linen spray and air freshener.
- Related Post: Soothing Aloe Facial Cream
Lavender, German Chamomile, and peppermint hydrosols are very gentle, and rich with skin-nourishing, therapeutic benefits that can help us stay moisturized and heal after sun exposure. I and my family love it and I hope you will too!
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Calleigh
Hi, I am Calleigh, MEng Chemical Engineering and a process engineer, and I'm here to show you how to DIY your skincare and household products with the correct formulation and using only natural ingredients. I believe that eating good food (Yes I have cooking recipes too!) and living in a chemical-free environment are the keys to having a healthy lifestyle. And that doesn't need to be expensive.
