This post is part of the Humblebee & Me Archives
I’ve learned a ton since launching Humblebee & Me in 2011, so some older posts no longer live up to my formulation standards. This is one of those posts.
Rather than delete these posts I’ve moved them to the Humblebee & Me Archives so you can see the steps of my making journey—and hopefully avoid some of my missteps!
Soothing Sunburn Cream
You only need to look at me for about half a second to know that I burn easily. I ate lunch outside the other day for about half an hour and ended up with a bright red chest, and while I was in Costa Rica my shoulders did a very convincing impression of a moulting reptile (ewwww). And while I am in no way advocating going out and getting a sunburn, if you do happen to get one (as I inevitably will, it seems), this lovely cream helps.
The water part of the cream is aloe vera juice and witch hazel. Aloe vera is a long time favourite for soothing sunburns, and witch hazel is a mild astringent and will help soothe tender skin. Vegetable glycerin increases the humectant properties of the lotion, helping keep the skin hydrated as it heals.
Raw honey contributes beneficial enzymes and antibacterials, and bee propolis amps up the antimicrobial/antiviral/healing factor. Silk peptides help with healing and regeneration thanks to their protein content, which is close to that of human skin. And lastly, allantoin (USA / Canada), a long time favourite for all kinds of healing products like diaper creme and scar salves.
For oils I chose a host of favourites for soothing, healing, moisturizing, and regeneration. Borage oil is an extremely rich source of fatty acids, as well as vitamins and minerals. Rosehip oil is a light, fast absorbing oil high in vitamins C & E, and known for its regenerative and healing properties.
Seabuckthorn oil is a favourite for anti-acne products, and it’s loaded with vitamins C & E, amino acids, and beta carotene. It’s high beta-carotene makes it an excellent healing oil—perfect for a sunburn lotion. Seabuckthorn is also pretty expensive, so you can feel free to replace it with more of either borage or rosehip oil (or a blend of both). Tamanu or emu oils would also be good choices for substitutions if you happen to have them on hand.
The essential oil blend is designed to be soothing, cooling, and healing. Peppermint cools, chamomile soothes, and eucalyptus and lavender help heal. They also smell nice all together, so that’s a plus as well.
The final lotion is light and creamy, with a slight yellow hue from the seabuckthorn. It’s slightly cooling on the skin, and imparts much needed moisture to dry, burnt skin.
Soothing Sunburn Cream
7g | 0.25oz complete emulsifying wax (not beeswax!)
5g | 0.17oz borage oil
10g | 0.33oz rosehip oil
3g | 0.1oz sea buckthorn seed oil
1g | 0.03oz Vitamin E MT-50 (USA / Canada)30g | 1.06oz witch hazel
40g | 1.41oz aloe vera juice
3g | 0.1oz vegetable glycerine (USA / Canada)
2g | 0.07oz raw honey
10 drops bee propolis tincture
1/8 tsp silk peptides
1/8 tsp allantoin (USA / Canada)10 drops peppermint essential oil (USA / Canada)
5 drops chamomile essential oil
15 drops eucalyptus radiata essential oil
10 drops lavender essential oilBroad spectrum preservative of choice (why?)
Weigh the emulsifying wax and oils into a small saucepan and melt over low heat.
While the oils melt, whisk together the witch hazel, aloe vera, vegetable glycerine (USA / Canada), honey, bee propolis, silk peptides, and allantoin (USA / Canada) in a small glass measuring cup. Gently heat through to encourage everything to dissolve.
Once the oils have melted, add the water part and heat through. Remove the pan from the heat and thoroughly whisk everything together, and then whisk occasionally as the lotion cools (the thickening may take a few days if you are using a different emulsifying wax from emulsimulse/ritamulse). Once it’s cool, stir in the essential oils and preservative, and decant the lotion into a 120mL/4oz pump-top bottle for storage and use.
Don’t have the oils called for in the recipe? Check this out.
How did you know my pale skin that isn’t usually exposed to the sun was this weekend? I don’t have a few oils, and no they will cost more in town but I am whipping up a batch of this in the AM! I LOVE YOU 😉
Us pale skinned babes must just know 😉 This lotion has been downright fantastic for me this summer!
While the only burn I’ve gotten so far this summer was actually my HANDS (that was a first…), no matter how careful I am I usually get burned at some point. Usually I just do the standard aloe vera gel thing, but this sounds so much more soothing/effective–especially if chilled in the fridge! Now watch this be the one summer I don’t fry myself because I decided to make this 😛
So, have you had a chance to try this out yet? 😉
Have you tried Seabuckthorn Extract?
I’ve never purchased the extract since I’ve already invested in the oil, but if that’s all you have you should be able to add half a teaspoon or so to the water portion of the recipe and replace the oil with some more rosehip or borage oil 🙂
Given that I have had cancer cells removed from my face and chest for the past four years now…prevention is obviously on my mind. Too much Scotch and Irish blood and skin type.
I work outside a lot in the summer in our gardens and tending to the bees, so in addition to a wide brimmed straw hat, long sleeves and pants…I am adding this solution to my summer regime.
I will also use a Argan Oil based recipe from my aromatherapy teacher as a screen. I did read your notes and caution regarding sun screens which are hard to argue with, but I need some sort of prevention as well as cure; and I would rather use a organic solution on my face than a store-bought chemical….so I will let you know how I do.
As always, love all your recipes, which I have found really work for my family and friends….but when you add honey products to your recipes I feel duty-bound to make and use them.
Best,
Jess
Hi Jess! Have you checked out the EWG’s list of safe, natural, and effective sunscreens? They do exist 😉 It’s a great resource, too.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this cream!
…just an update…my wife and I…and friends love this lotion which I am using nighly.
Boy is this a great recipe Marie.
Thank you.
Fantastic! I’m so, so thrilled you guys are loving it 😀 WOO!
Hi Marie,.
Thank god I had all the ingredients on hand tonight. My 9 year old came home from camp today with very lobster like shoulders. He helped me make the lotion tonight and loves how it feels!!! Thanks so much for being such a great resource.
I’m so happy to help! I hope his sun burn clears up ASAP 🙂 Thanks for reading and DIYing with me!
I was looking up borage oil and ended up on this page. Does this add up to 101% ? If you have additives like the tincture do they not have to be included in the formula percentage?
I know this formula was posted 7 years.