Best After Sun Lotion: Does it really make a difference?

Writer and expert6 years ago

Get turnt, not burnt. We're lookin' into whether after sun lotion really is that important and, if so, which is the best after sun you need to add-to-bag RN.

Continue Reading: our guide to the best sun cream

What does after sun actually do?

After sun lotion is the key beauty product for re-hydrating the skin after sun exposure. It's generally more cooling than your standard body moisturisers, and will typically be a lotion as opposed to a cream moisturiser.

Heavy formulations tend to have more oil in them, meaning they serve as a barrier between the skin and external forces. Normally this is exactly what you'd want, but if you have sunburn then you don't want to lock the heat in. Lighter formulations will help skin the breathe and heal more quickly.

When should I apply after sun lotion?

In an ideal world, we wouldn't need after sun as we'd obvs never stay out in the sun. However we know day drinks might occasionally get out of hand, so it's always a good idea to have a bottle of after sun lotion in your skincare collection.

You should apply after sun as soon as you can when you head back indoors after being out in the sun. Typically you'll start to feel the effects of sun exposure between two and eight hours after being outside, but aim to counter the burn before it hits.

After sun isn't just for your face and body. We're making sure to add after sun to our collection of hair products too as the top of your head is easily one of the most overexposed areas to sun.

Lookin' for more? Read our guide to the best sunscreen for hair.