It’s summertime, and that means we’re all spending more time outdoors in the sun. And while I always recommend protecting your skin from harmful UV rays, we’re all likely to get the inevitable sunburn at some point. That’s where this Whipped Aloe Soothing Body Butter for Sunburns comes into play.
Simple, quick, and incredibly effective, my Whipped Aloe Soothing Body Butter is a clean alternative to the chemical-filled options in your local stores. But that’s not all this recipe has going for it!
First, the base for this Whipped Aloe Soothing Body Butter is an even amount of aloe vera gel and shea butter.
As almost anyone knows, aloe vera is very effective in treating sunburns. In fact, a review of four studies involving 371 patients showed that applying aloe vera to the area of a burn caused the burn to heal 8.79 days faster than a control group. [1]
Meanwhile, the shea butter in this recipe is known to moisturize the skin, which can help to provide comfort and even reduce infection in areas of sunburn. Plus, it can aid in itch relief as the sunburn begins to heal.
According to a 2016 study, 25 adults used a moisturizer containing shea butter three times daily for two weeks. After the two-week period, the participants experienced a 79 percent reduction in itching and a 44 percent increase in skin hydration! [2]
Other benefits were noted as well, such as improvement in irritation, roughness, overall appearance, and more.
Another moisturizing ingredient included in this Whipped Aloe Soothing Body Butter is coconut oil, which has been shown to significantly improve skin hydration and also help treat skin infections. [3, 4]
Finally, this recipe also calls for 20 drops of chamomile essential oil. Here’s why: Chamomile contains both anti-inflammatory and astringent properties, which means it can help relieve the pain associated with a sunburn while also helping to ward off any infection.
Ready to get the recipe? Go ahead and make some ahead of time so you have it on hand as we enter the heart of summer and spend more time having fun in the sun!
Makes: about 1¼ cup
Time: 5 minutes
½ cup aloe vera gel
½ cup shea butter
¼ cup virgin coconut oil
20 drops chamomile essential oil
1. In a food processor or high-speed blender, combine all the ingredients and whip for 1-2 minutes, or until creamy.
2. Apply liberally to any sunburn. Store in refrigerator for maximum relief.
