I am the queen of the farmer’s tan.
I’ve never purposely tanned in my entire life, but I do tend to get quite brown since I work outside so much during the summer. (Ok, my ARMS get quite brown… Everything else is bright white.)
You know how it goes… You’re immersed in a fascinating homestead project, and you end up becoming so enamored with it, you forget to cover up or at least put on some natural sunscreen. And then you end up paying for it later…
I’ve had that happen one-too-many-times, which is why I came up with this easy after-sun spray recipe.
I keep a spritzer bottle available at all times during the summer, and have had more than one friend and family member request the recipe. It feels THAT good.
(This post contains affiliate links)
Homemade After-Sun Spray Recipe
You Will Need:
- 1/2 cup witch hazel (where to buy witch hazel)
- 2 tablespoons pure aloe vera gel (where to buy aloe vera gel)
- 10 drops of pure lavender essential oil (these are my favorite essential oils)
- 10 drops of pure peppermint essential oil
- 4 oz (or larger) spray bottle (like these)
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients and mix well. Pour into spray bottle, shake well, and apply generously to skin that needs cooling. Be sure to avoid spraying around the eyes, as it will sting.
The spray feels a bit sticky at first, but gets better as it dries. I figure it was a toss up between sticky or crispy. I chose sticky.
Re-apply as often as needed. I re-sprayed every half hour or so at first.
Click Here to Get Jill’s Free Essential Oil eBook with Recipes and More >>
Why Lavender?
Lavender essential oil is famous for its ability to soothe occasional skin irritations. This makes it my #1 choice for inclusion in this recipe.
Why Peppermint?
Peppermint essential oil provides a soothing, cooling sensation. However, if you have very sensitive skin, it may be wise to start out with a lesser amount of Peppermint oil, just to make sure the spray isn’t too intense for you.
Can I use other essential oils?
Sure! You might also try adding melaleuca (aka tea tree oil) or frankincense.
Other DIY Essential Oil posts:
- All-Purpose Protective Essential Oil Blend
- DIY Waterless Hand Cleanser
- DIY Bug Bite Relief Stick
- DIY Laundry Spot Remover
- 10 Must-Try Essential Oil Blends for your Diffuser
Oh wow, definitely going to try this, because if you are queen of the farmer tan, then I have to be king, or at least the court jester. I started wearing sleeveless shirts because I got tired of the farmer’s tan, and wear a lot, and I mean a lot of SPF 30 sunscreen.
LOL…I’ve got a pretty good start on the ol’ farmers tan, too and yep, the last 2 days we have been butchering broilers and my arms and neck are fried. I’m definitely going to be making some of this so I guess I better get a few leaves cut off my aloe plant so I can make the gel. Thank you for the recipe!!
Do you have any recipes for a natural sunscreen? They have so many yucky’s in them!!
This ROCKS!! Thanks, Jill! I’ve got it pinned. 🙂
Thanks dear blogging-friend! 😉
Hi Jill, thanks for the neat info. I’ve learned so much and gained so much confidence in using essential oils from your site. I just wanted to share with you my approach to avoiding over-exposure to the elements. Between a job that involves working outdoors and wanting to spend time in my yard and garden, I have found the easiest thing for me is to always work in long-sleeved shirts and a hat, and when I’m around the house to always keep a shirt and hat by the door so I can grab it if I want to go outside for a little bit.
But it’s good to have a treatment option in case I goof up! Have a really good day! 🙂
Yes- I agree! I am really good about wearing long-sleeved shirts when I ride my horses, but not-so-much when I garden. Covering up is definitely the best solution! 🙂
Hi Jill – I’ve just been exposed to this idea of foregoing sunscreen for FCLO/Butter oil/healthy fats this week (yours is the second reference I saw to it.) Are you a proponent of the “sacred foods” lifestyle, or does that fall outside your homesteading interests? I’ve taken the Blue Ice Royal Blend since December and credited it to my generally good health living in Kyrgyzstan – only one cold all winter while those around me were pretty sick. It seems quite bold to go off sunscreen (or sunblock a la long-sleeves) altogether as Welness Mama seems to advocate, relying only on diet. A person would need a few decades to wait for that one to play out. All that as an aside to your post about relief from essential oils. I read your book a few months ago, and your enthusiasm and results has piqued my interested in learning more about essential oils when I get home.
Great to hear from you Hannah! Yes, I do follow the dietary teachings of Weston Price loosely… We drink raw milk, use coconut oil, grassfed meats, etc. However, there are some aspects of that I am still a little skeptical about (soaking grains and massive amounts of organ meats, for example.)
I would like to think that a “perfect” diet could prevent one from ever getting burnt, but like you said, it’s pretty bold to forego all other means of sunblock. (Especially since skin cancer runs in my family…) (And who can have a “perfect” diet anyway?) So, right now I’m sorta in the middle– we try to eat as well as we can, but I do cover up or use natural sunscreen when I know we’ll be outside for prolonged periods.
I think it’s great that you are taking the Blue Ice Blend! I take it as well, although not near as much as I should… The idea that it can improve dental health intrigues me, since I have teeth problems.
Next time you are in Chug, you’ll have to let me know and I’ll give you some essential oil samples to try out. 🙂
I liked your idea, but thought using tea tree(melaluaca) and coconut oil might also be soothing and nourishing to your skin.
Yes- that’d probably be good, too! I do like the spray idea, though. 😉
Hi Jill! Loving this DIY, very helpful! Loving the bottle also, just had a couple questions about it. I love the color and the fact that it’s glass and not plastic, excellent. I’ve been looking around on Amazon myself and not finding too much, but are there any small spray bottles that don’t have a plastic sprayer? :\ Also, are you having any issues w/ the sprayer leaking/dripping/breaking? Most of the reviews for the bottle are great and helpful, while some folks mention that the sprayer didn’t seem to perform well. Do you have any suggestions?
Thanks!!!!
Nicolette
Try sks bottles, they have all different size bottles and sprayers/pumps/lids in tons of colors 🙂
Is SKS bottle the brand? I made my own homemade glass cleaner and used the spray bottle—at first it worked great! But after several months, it seemed to clog! Any tips?
Hi Jill, thank you for sharing your knowledge on essential oils and everything else. I tried to get your free ebook on essential oils but it takes me to page and it’s not there. Thank you so much for your help. Have a great day.
Mayela
Uh-oh– sorry about that! Please send an email to info(at)theprairiehomestead(dot)com and we’ll make sure you get a copy.
I’m sorry but, would this recipe be safe to use on children too?! Thanks for the recipe though! So I’m like dumb and didn’t realise you could get sunburn on overcast days. I spent Saturday by the pool, watching my 2 little cousins swim… they are fine but, I LOOK LIKE A LOBSTER! Lol!!
Listen learned… I’m in some serious pain right now and I found your recipe. I whipped it together real quick and sprayed it on my arm and the pain was INSTANTLY GONE! THANK YOU!!
We use the after sun recipe with our d?TERRA essential oils and it’s wonderful! Also did an oils education class on summer EO uses and included the recipe (with credit to you of course) Love getting your newsletters too
Yay! So glad it worked well for you!
thank you for your recipes. Do you have a recipe for a natural sunscreen?
Hi Jill;
I would really like your recipe book,but when I click on the download it takes me to another page but it always error. I really love your newsletters,,,I’ve used several from your newsletters,LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all so far!!!
Hi Nikki– send an email to info(at)theprairiehomestead(dot)com and we’ll help you get the book 🙂
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I have to say that straight out avocado or hemp oil is very effective at turning a sunburn into a non-peeling tan for me and my kids. We try to put it on before the sun, but if we get too red, it has worked marvelously to put on after for us in Texas. This spray sounds awesome! Maybe if I get out of my lazy streak someday….
Your EO recipes are wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing.
I’m a bit confused about this recipe – 1/2 cup of witch hazel is more than the size of the bottle?