It’s officially summertime. So you reached for a Corona instead of the Coppertone. Now you’re burnt to a crisp, but fresh out of aloe plants in the backyard? Not to worry. We’ve got an easy, soothing after-sun recipe you can whip up in no time. It relies on lavender essential oil, which relieves stinging and prevents peeling; pure aloe vera, a powerhouse soother and healer; and black tea, which contains tannins—compounds that relieve redness and inflammation. For added soothing and cooling benefits, you can add chamomile or peppermint oil, too.
You will need
• Black tea (tea bags or leaves are both fine)
• 15 drops lavender essential oil
• 2 tbsp. pure aloe vera gel, which soothes and heals (available at your local natural food store)
• Optional: 3 drops chamomile and/or peppermint oil
Boil the tea in 2 ounces of water. When the tea has cooled, mix in the aloe and essential oils.
Pour the mixture into a spray bottle for easy application and store in the fridge. Spritz on after a cold bath or shower.
Yep, it’s that easy! The best part? It smells aaaaaamazing. Don’t forget to hydrate! Oh, and load up on the sunscreen next time. Your skin will thank you later.
