Make an Easy After Sun Cooling Spray to Beat Summer Heat

Cool and Refresh with a Chilled After Sun Spray

In an earlier post we talked about 7 tips for staying cool in the summer heat, such as drinking cooling herbal teas, incorporating water activities, and cooking outside. One of my favorite tips for staying cool is using hydrosols. I add them to my water and I spritz them on my skin. Today we’re making a staple in my Summer Fun fridge: an After Sun Cooling Spray made with Lavender and mint hydrosols, Aloe Vera gel, and Glycerin!

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⭐️After Sun Cooling Spray Recipe

Make time every day, regardless of the temperature, to spend at least a few minutes outside. A few minutes of sunshine is energizing (think of the scene in Wall-E) and revitalizing. Then when you come in from the Summer heat, stay cool with this After Sun Cooling Spray. Each of these ingredients has a cooling nature, and when combined, they nourish and hydrate the skin.

• 2 ounce spray bottle (I prefer glass)
• 5 teaspoons (25ml) Lavender Hydrosol (Lavandula angustifolia)
• 4 teaspoons (20ml) Spearmint Hydrosol (Mentha spicata) or Peppermint Hydrosol (Mentha x piperita)
• 1 teaspoon (5ml) Aloe Vera Gel
• 1 teaspoon (5ml) Glycerin (or Lavender Glycerite)
• OPTIONAL: 1/2 teaspoon (2.5ml) Liquid Germall Plus

🌺See my Recommended Suppliers below

Make After Sun Cooling Spray

The first step is always to sanitize everything, especially when working with water-based ingredients. This step takes longer than actually making the spray!

1. Clean work surface with 70% isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and allow to air dry.
2. Sanitize the bottle and all tools, including measuring spoons and a small funnel (if using), by simmering in water for 10 minutes.
3. Place a clean cloth on the sanitized work surface and transfer the bottle and tools from the hot water to drain and air dry.
4. Add a small amount of IPA to the spray bottle. Cap and shake to coat the interior and straw. Pour out the IPA and allow the bottle to air dry.
5. Put on a pair of disposable gloves and move on to making the cooling spray!

Now the easy part—making the spray!

1. Combine all ingredients in the sanitized spray bottle, cap, and shake well to combine. And that’s it!
2. Refrigerate.
3. If good sanitary formulating practices are used and it’s stored in the refrigerator, After Sun Cooling Spray will last up to 2 weeks.
4. If you choose to include Liquid Germall Plus, the spray does not need to be refrigerated (it feels nice on hot skin when right from the refrigerator, though), and has a much longer shelf life.

How to Use After Sun Cooling Spray

Shake well before using. Spray skin lightly and allow to dry. If applying to the face, spray on clean hands and pat face, avoiding eyes. It can be applied to scalp to ease after sun redness and reduce peeling. Safe for use on children.

If you have not used one of more of these ingredients on your skin in the past, please test on inner elbow 48 hours before use on larger parts of the body.

About the Ingredients

Lavender Hydrosol has a soothing, cooling effect on sun burned, wind burned, irritated skin. It reduces inflammation and redness and promotes healing. The naturally calming energy of Lavender essential oil is also found in the hydrosol and this effect impacts the skin and the psyche.

Spearmint Hydrosol is calming and cooling to the skin. Its natural astringent properties makes it a refreshing toner, helping to reduce inflammation, irritation, and redness. Peppermint Hydrosol has a mintier aroma than Spearmint Hydrosol making it more invigorating. Its extra cooling nature also helps reduce itchiness that can occur after days of Summer heat.

Other Hydrosols to cool and soothe skin in Summer heat include Calendula, Chamomile, Cucumber, Helichrysum, and Rose.

Aloe Vera has long been used in traditional medicine to treat burns, wounds, and skin conditions. The gel is made from the water-rich inner filet of the plant. It’s cooling, soothing, helps reduce irritation, and promotes healing.

Aloe Vera Notes: Always look for pure gel without colorants. Some people, especially those with highly sensitive skin, may have an allergic reaction. This is why testing before use is important

Glycerin is one of the best natural humectants—it draws moisture from the environment and deeper skin layers into the upper layers of the skin. It’s soothing, smoothing, and softening. I have personally found it excellent for reducing skin irritation (like eczema), as it accelerates healing and promotes a healthy skin barrier.

Liquid Germall Plus is a user-friendly, formulation-friendly preservative that works well with formulations containing all water-based ingredients, like this After Sun Cooling Spray. While it’s not a natural ingredient, it’s used at a very small 0.5% of the formulation. Liquid Germall Plus keeps the product shelf stable through the Summer and makes it safe to keep in your bag or backpack or with your camping gear.

Use After Sun Cooling Spray for every member of your family and have fun in the Summer heat!

Mom’s After Sun Cooling Spray Shopping List

• Lavender Hydrosol (Lavandula angustifolia):
  • Aromatics International, organic
  • Plant Therapy, organic (Direct and Amazon).

• Mint Hydrosols (Mentha spp):
  • Spearmint Hydrosol (Mentha spicata) from Aromatics International, organic
  • Peppermint Hydrosol (Mentha x piperita) from Aromatics International, organic (also on Amazon)
  • Both of of Aromatics’ mint hydrosols are excellent spritzed into chilled still or sparkling water!

• Aloe Vera Gel (Aloe barbadensis):
  • Seven Minerals, organic, Texas grown (on Amazon)
  • Aromatics International, organic.

• Glycerin:
  • Seven Minerals, organic, for skin care & crafting (on Amazon)
  • Starwest Botanicals, organic, for tinctures & baking (on Amazon).

• Liquid Germall Plus (on Amazon).

This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is for educational purposes only.
All recipes provided are for personal use and are not designed for re-sale or large-scale manufacturing.
Please consult your doctor, naturopath, herbal practitioner, or other qualified health professional for medical advice and before starting any herbal regimen, particularly if you are pregnant or nursing, have any existing medical conditions, or are taking any medications.