Posted by Les Mauvaises Herbes
After a sunburn, it is important to let the skin return to its normal temperature before starting to apply fat-based treatments to repair it. Once the incandescent phase is over, you want to hydrate and nourish the skin as much as possible with high-quality ingredients. You can therefore enjoy yourself with butters, creams, ointments, milks, and nourishing and restorative oils.
A quick reminder
Since every person and every skin type is unique, a recipe or ingredient may suit one person better than another. Irritated skin is unpredictable, so it is better to test a product on a small area before slathering it on liberally. And you must stop using it if it causes unpleasant reactions. The following recipes are suitable for mild sunburns and should not be used in the presence of blisters, if the skin is broken or highly inflamed, or in cases of second-degree burns. For any persistent discomfort or serious burns, do not hesitate to seek medical advice!
Choice ingredients for repairing and nourishing
Shea butter
Regenerating, healing, and nourishing, shea butter has all the necessary qualities for after-sun care. It prevents and relieves irritation due to sun exposure and helps prolong a tan. A choice ingredient for repairing damaged skin!
Infused oils
Calendula (Calendula officinalis) and St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum)* infused oils are particularly appropriate for after-sun care. We also love infused oils of:
- marshmallow (Althea officinalis)
- yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
- German chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
- plantain (Plantago lanceolata or Plantago major)
These wonderful plants all have anti-inflammatory and healing properties. It is possible to buy ready-made infused oils, but it is even more satisfying to make them yourself using fresh or organic dried plants!
They can be customized by incorporating one or more plants as well as the vegetable oil of your choice.
*Caution! St. John's wort is potentially photosensitizing; do not apply it before exposing yourself to the sun.
For after-sun care, it is best to choose vegetable oils rich in omega-3s for making your infused oils, such as hemp oil or camelina oil. However, these two oils oxidize easily, so opt for cold maceration, store the result of your work in the fridge, and/or enhance it with vitamin E (at a 1% concentration).
Vitamin E
Well known for its anti-rancidity effect in our balms and creams, vitamin E has the same antioxidant effect on our skin! We add a double dose to our after-sun products to protect our skin from free radicals.
True lavender essential oil (Lavandula vera or Lavandula angustifolia)
Like spike lavender, true lavender is anti-inflammatory, restorative, and healing. It is non-toxic and can be used during pregnancy, while breastfeeding, and on children without any issues.
Ho wood essential oil (Cinnamomum camphora linaloliferum)
Its high linalool content—a natural analgesic and anti-inflammatory also found in lavender—makes ho wood an essential ingredient for sunburn relief. It is often used to replace rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora), which is unfortunately endangered (and has a really unpleasant smell!).
Rose geranium essential oil (Pelargonium graveolens)
An important ally in all skincare (and possibly our favorite essential oil after true lavender!). Its healing power is particularly interesting for after-sun care. A must-have for repairing the skin!
Did you know that rose geranium essential oil is cytoprotective, meaning it repairs cellular damage caused by the sun?
OUR RECIPES
Silky repair oil
Vegetable oils and the fatty acids they contain are invaluable for nourishing and repairing the skin. This silky repairing oil can be customized with different vegetable oils and/or macerated oils and essential oils.
Préparation
5 min
Conservation
6-12 mois
Rendement
100 ml
Moisturizing lobster butter
This moisturizing butter nourishes AND hydrates the skin thanks to the hydrolat and aloe it contains. It's just what sun-damaged skin needs!
Préparation
15 min
Conservation
1 mois au frigo
Rendement
75 ml
