9 best after-sun lotions, according to dermatologists
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The best after-sun lotions are a summer staple. Applying sunscreen is a non-negotiable when it comes to protecting your skin against the sun’s harmful UV rays, but it’s not the only skincare product to have on hand this summer. In addition to your favourite SPF, dermatologists recommend the best after-sun lotions to help hydrate your skin from sun damage, an overlooked part of sun care.
After-sun lotions hydrate and soothe the skin after sun exposure, says Michele Green, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist in New York City. They are “excellent for alleviating mild sunburns, reducing redness and inflammation, and repairing the skin’s natural moisture barrier damaged by exposure to harmful UV rays,” she says.
While after-sun lotion typically doesn’t contain active ingredients that help protect your skin from UV rays and should not be used in place of sunscreen, it helps keep your skin healthy and moisturised post-sun exposure. Think of it as a skin-boosting body lotion made with ingredients like calming aloe vera, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and moisturising agents like shea butter and coconut oil.
“When using after sun lotion, it’s essential to stay out of the sun to avoid further UV damage and irritation to the skin,” Dr. Green says. “For maximum protection, wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 50 in addition to after sun lotion.” These extra precautions can help prevent sun spots, redness, inflammation, dryness, and swelling from sun exposure.
How we test after sun lotions:
After sun gels come with big claims, so we've interviewed top dermatologists to find out their top after-sun picks that’ll leave your skin feeling nourished. We've then tested the after sun products ourselves, on holidays in everywhere from Puglia to Mallorca and The Maldives – to ensure they really deliver on promised results. The result? An array of fast-absorbing body creams that are suitable for all skin types, colours and concerns. They must have all also scored highly when it comes to texture, value for money and whether the packaging is recyclable. Extra points if they’re fragrance-free and cruelty-free.
After something else? Shop the best sunscreens for face, including SPF30 and SPF50 options, as well as the best sun cream for sensitive skin, best mineral sunscreen, best tinted SPF and best scalp sunscreen.
Below, we polled dermatologists to find the best after-sun lotions that they love and recommend ahead of the summer.
This article originally appeared on GLAMOUR US.
David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Idriss Dermatology in New York, recommends using CeraVe cream to help restore your skin barrier. This drugstore pick is great for those beach days when you forget to bring a moisturiser.
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides / Size: 19 oz.
Review: Lots of creams and lotions can add moisture to your skin but this one is truly a wonder in terms of adding moisture that lasts. As a person with ‘more mature’ skin I can absolutely speak to the benefit it has provided. I don't have to reapply the product every couple of hours — it leaves my skin softer, smoother, and more hydrated for the whole day. —reviewer on Amazon
- Pros: Accepted by the National Eczema Association; budget-friendly.
- Cons: Many reviewers dislike the lack of a pump for this product since the jar is so deep.
Not only does this Coola lotion have a cooling effect; it quickly replenishes lost moisture from extended sun exposure. “A moisture-locking base of organic agave and aloe vera is enriched with a globally curated range of antioxidant and vitamin-intensive boosters, including rosemary extract and the nurturing oils of lavender, sunflower, sweet orange, and mandarin peel, along with calming cedarwood,” says Vivina Chin, MD, founder of Koru Wellness Aesthetics in NYC. Coola Liplux is also one of our favourite lip balms with SPF for even more sun protection.
Key ingredients: Vitamin-intensive boosters, organic agave, sunflower oil / Size: 5 oz.
Review: I don’t know what they put in this stuff, but let me tell you, it’s amazing. I originally purchased it to use after sun on a Hawaii vacation, but I’m going to use this daily now. So smooth, very moisturising, and sunburns disappear rapidly. — reviewer on Coola
- Pros: Made of over 70% organic ingredients; EcoCert-certified
- Cons: Pricey for its size
“This is a great, affordable, and readily accessible after-sun lotion,” says Geeta Yadav, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Facet Dermatology. “It has aloe to soothe and intensely nourishing cocoa butter to moisturise, but doesn't feel heavy or greasy. It also smells great, like all of the Sun Bum products I've tried.” If you're looking for a scalp sunscreen, check out expert-recommended Sun Bum Sea Spray to avoid sunburns on the top of your head.
Key ingredients: Vitamin E, organic aloe vera, cocoa butter / Size: 8 oz.
Review: I just bought this before my Cancun trip and used it every night post-shower after burning in the sun for the whole day and it definitely helped with the sun burn. Pro tip: Mix it with some aloe vera gel while applying and it will work even better. — reviewer on Amazon
- Pros: Preserves and extends your tan while also nourishing your skin
- Cons: It can have a runny consistency.
Brooke Jeffy, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of youth skin care brand BTWN, recommends La Roche Posay Cicaplast Balm because it’s incredibly effective at both hydrating and reducing inflammation in the skin necessary after exposure.
Key ingredients: Shea butter, vitamin B5, madecassoside / Size: 1.35 oz.
Review: Seems like there is nothing this can't do. It is super gentle, non irritating, ultra moisturising, yet not greasy or oily. It absorbs quickly, has no scent, and can be used anywhere on the body. Thicker than a lotion, but not as heavy as a cream. It is rich and glides across the skin. A little goes a long way. — reviewer on Amazon
- Pros: Made with shea butter, which is super moisturizing and can help soothe irritated skin
- Cons: This formula can be tough to rub in.
This is sun gel that you can most definitely wear year-round. “This gel-based after-sun lotion is lightweight, non-greasy, and quickly absorbed into the skin,” says Divya Shokeen, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Ocean Skin and Vein Institute. “Soothing ingredients like aloe vera and antioxidants help relieve sunburn discomfort and restore hydration levels.”
Key ingredients: Shea butter, mineral oil / Size: 400 ml
Review: This ointment is perfect for white skin like mine that get easily damaged by the sun (despite 50+ sunscreen on). — reviewer on Amazon
- Pros: Noncomedogenic; hypoallergenic
- Cons: Can be incredibly difficult to find in the US
This is Dr. Green’s go-to sun soother. It contains shea butter and glycerin to hydrate the skin and vitamin E to prevent further damage after UV exposure. Plus, it has licochalcone A and glycyrrhetinic acid, two compounds with anti-inflammatory properties to soothe irritated, inflamed skin, she says.
Key ingredients: Licochalcone A, glycyrrhetinic acid, vitamin E, shea butter / Size: 6.8 oz.
Review: I bought this for a beach vacation we were taking, and even after five full days of ‘fun in the sun,’ using this each day really helped my skin stay hydrated and not burn or peel. Light scent, dried nicely without feeling sticky. — reviewer on Amazon
- Pros: Hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic formula is great for people with sensitive or acne-prone skin.
- Cons: Contains fragrance, which is a skin irritant
Vaseline has nothing on this ultra-creamy nourishing post-sun lotion. “This is formulated to calm and repair sun-stressed skin, thanks to ingredients like allantoin and enoxolone,” says Dr. Shokeen. “These can help reduce redness, inflammation, and discomfort associated with sunburn, promoting skin recovery.”
Key ingredients: Mineral oil, glycerin, rapeseed oil, niacinamide, sunflower seed oil / Size: 6.7 oz.
Customer review: This is the best lotion I have ever used. I usually mix Aveeno lotion with baby oil gel or vitamin E oil but I decided to switch it up. Summer months break my skin out heavily and I get bumps and crazy hives, so I needed something that would make my skin soft, smooth, and moisturized. This did it for me. It’s now one of my favorite products. It is slightly on the expensive side but it’s worth it if you have sensitive skin. — reviewer on Bioderma
- Pros: Helps strengthen the skin barrier
- Cons: Some reviewers say the consistency is too sticky.
Dr. Kim also recommends using Vanicream for its long-lasting, nongreasy formula, which is gentle on the skin and can be extremely restorative. It’s free of many chemical irritants and customers love that it doesn’t break out their sensitive skin.
Key ingredients: Water, petroleum / Size: 16 oz.
Review: I have very sensitive skin. I am not able to use most facial skin lotion. I break out in hives. This product does not break me out. It provides good moisture and protection. There is no scent to worry about. I have purchased it several times. Another plus is that it is great for any dry skin. —reviewer on Amazon
- Pros: Made without fragrance, dyes, formaldehyde, gluten, parabens, botanical extract, and lanolin
- Cons: It has an extremely thick consistency (like glue) that might not be for everyone.
“To address the deeper layers of the skin and really provide the deep nourishment that the skin needs, I love the Delicia Drench Body Butter from Sol de Janeiro,” says Lindsey Zubristky, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. “It’s formulated with ingredients that are nourishing to all the layers of the skin.
While bacuri and cupuaçu butter replenish skin's protective barrier at that top layer of the skin, additional ingredients like squalane and hydrolysed hyaluronic acid sink deeper into the skin, quenching moisture into all three layers of the epidermis to provide unmatched hydration, while soothing sensitised skin after a long day in the sun.”
Key ingredients: Bacuri butter, Brazilian soothing complex, prebiotic hibiscus / Size: 8.1 oz.
Review: This stuff smells like vanilla cream cheese frosting on a carrot cake. Seriously, it should come with a “do not eat” disclaimer. It's thicker than other SDJ lotions, but creamy, not greasy, and absorbs quickly. It seems formulated to be extra moisturizing. It's a must-try from this brand. — reviewer on Amazon
- Pros: Formulated without mineral oil; great for reducing redness; contains less than 1% of synthetic fragrance
- Cons: Can be a bit pricey for the amount of product
