It’s getting hot out here!
I grew up on the west coast of sunny Florida and I spent plenty of time year round outdoors. If it wasn’t the beach it was the pool or somewhere else outside. And since Florida is the land of perpetual summer (like 11 months out of the year) my poor pale skin didn’t get much break from the sun’s rays!
I remember always putting aloe vera on my skin after a long day outside and how wonderful it felt on my skin. It was neon green goop, and it smelled like coconuts, or something. In retrospect, it didn’t really resemble aloe vera, but what’s a girl to do who hadn’t actually grown any plants as a teenager?
Did you use the green goo?
This year we’ve taking the kids to the pool a lot! My youngest is always begging to go outside and play or to jump in our backyard pool. I think that’s just what happens when kids are trapped inside the house in the land of long winters.
So since it is almost swim lesson season and my kids are spending a lot of time in our above ground pool, we need an after sun solution that works and is not filled with questionable junk.
You see I looked up that “green goo” I used to call aloe and realized, not so much.
You should check your favorite after sun products, you may be surprised at the not so natural things that they contain.
Time for something safer
My daughter’s little pink cheeks need something that is safe, you know? I don’t want to put chemicals on that sweet skin. So I did some reading and came up with a simpler, safer solution.
Actual aloe vera.
Revolutionary, right?
When we lived in Florida we had aloe plants everywhere, outside the front door, in a pot by the kitchen sink, everywhere. Aloe is super easy to grow there, but here in the dry, wild west? Not so much.
So decided that this DIY After Sun Gel needed a little help from the health food store. And it was easier than I had thought it would be.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Pure, unscented, uncolored aloe gel (Lily of the Desert is my preferred brand)
- Make sure it is gel not liquid otherwise this recipe will be soupy and that is not what you want.
- Vitamin E oil (helps preserve this recipe and is fantastic for skin)
- Lavender Essential Oil (I use Young Living)
- 3 oz. Silicone tube
Want to see how simple it is to make? Check out the video of me making it below!
Watch how to make the DIY After Sun Aloe Vera Gel:
But you’re probably looking for a printable recipe for this after sun aloe vera gel, aren’t you?
Well here you go!
- ¼ cup pure aloe vera gel
- ½ tsp vitamin e oil
- 24 drops Lavender Essential Oil (I recommend Young Living brand)
- 3 oz. silicone bottle
- Mix all of the ingredients in a small glass bowl.
- Transfer the mixture to a 3 oz. silicone tube.
- Store in the fridge between uses for a cool, soothing treat for the skin!
How did it work?
My little daughter spent most of the afternoon last week in our little pool and her skin was in need of some care, and this aloe gel worked very well. She commented “Mama, I love this! Can you put more on my face?” We applied it all over her face, arms and shoulders (three times over the course of the afternoon and evening) and in the morning her skin looked and felt great.
So whip up a batch and throw it in your beach bag or backpack and enjoy how fantastic your skin feels, even after a long day in the sun!
Tell me, where are you headed outdoors this summer? Will you be taking this DIY after sun aloe and lavender gel with you?
