after sun
  • Skin care
  • Sun & travel

How does after sun work?

Are you wondering how after sun lotion works and if it is actually any different from body lotion? Find out here and discover natural after sun lotions with added benefits.

By Hannah Mepham

9 Minute read

Are you wondering if you actually need to use an after sun lotion? How does after sun work, and is it any different from body lotion? There’s more to after sun skin care than you think.

Not only can an after sun lotion help to cool and hydrate sun-exposed skin, but, with the right ingredients, it can also give your skin what it needs to defend itself from the effects of the sun. It can even help your tan to last for longer!

In this article we explain how after sun works and introduce our certified organic natural Aloe Vera after sun lotions packed with goodness and added benefits for your skin.

Shop Aloe Vera after suns now.

How does after sun work?

Let’s get started with 3 good reasons to use a basic moisturising after sun. Used regularly following sun exposure, after suns can help to:

  1. Hydrate
  2. Prevent peeling
  3. Prolong your tan

And how does after sun work to achieve these benefits? Simply put, the hydration that they deliver helps to combat the drying effects of being in the sun. By moisturising your skin with a lotion or cream, you can reduce skin shedding and peeling – thereby helping you keep your glow for longer.

However, did you know that you could be getting even more benefits from your after sun?

Extra benefits of our natural after sun

Green People’s Hydrating After Sun is an organic body lotion that’s packed full of natural goodness. It’s also been clinically proven to be kind to sensitive skin.

Its ingredients help to:

  • Nourish skin with a bounty of nutrients
  • Reduce redness by calming inflammation
  • Reduce irritation by strengthening the skin barrier
  • Protect skin by defending against free radicals

The moment you apply it to your skin, you can feel the refreshing Peppermint instantly deliver cooling relief as its Aloe Vera-rich core works with calming Chamomile and anti-inflammatory Myrrh Oil to gently soothe sun-heated skin. We’ll explain more about the benefits of Aloe Vera shortly.

I’ve have used this after sun for a long time and still love it. Not only do I use it as an after sun on holiday but often daily after showering as it is very cooling moisturising and soothing for my dry skin- Cathy

HYDRATING AFTER SUN 200ML

The moment you apply it to your skin, you can feel the refreshing Peppermint instantly deliver cooling relief. Its ultra-gentle formula is kind enough to be used on both face and body.

Designed to quickly restore comfort to skin that feels hot after sun exposure, its Aloe Vera-rich core starts to soothe the skin and gives a burst of intense hydration. We’ll explain more about the benefits of Aloe Vera shortly.

We also use calming Chamomile for its anti-inflammatory activity and Myrrh Oil, which encourages skin healing.

Another great benefit of our organic Hydrating After Sun is that it contains antioxidant plant actives that can help to neutralise the activity of free radicals. Spawned when UV rays come into contact with your skin, free radicals can linger on the skin long after sun exposure and can cause damage to skin cells.

This naturally cooling Aloe Vera after sun can be used to soothe and rehydrate all skin types, including sensitive skin.

We also have a Soothing After Sun with Insect Repellent and a calming Aloe Vera lotion especially for kids, each one filled with replenishing plant oils and extracts that work to soften and soothe your skin.

Aloe Vera: nature’s after sun

We use over 80% Aloe Vera as the main ingredient in Green People’s hydrating after suns. This is known to contain 75 nutrients, 20 minerals, 12 vitamins, 18 amino acids, and 200 active enzymes.

Aloe Vera

Ideal for use in after sun, Aloe Vera is an excellent moisturiser and is rich in properties that encourage natural skin repair.

The Aloe Vera that is used in Green People after suns is all Aloin-free and certified organic.

Does after sun help to prolong tan?

Yes, our after sun really can help your tan last longer.

Whilst most after suns can help lengthen tan duration by supporting moisture levels in the skin, our Hydrating After Sun does this and more. It not only helps your tan last longer, but also gives you a deeper and faster tan.  

That’s all thanks to Inositol, a natural tan-accelerating extract from the Carob bean that encourages skin to tan more intensely.

How? Well, when Inositol is applied to the skin, it speeds up the body’s production of melanin. This has been shown to lengthen tan duration by as much as 62%.

And Inositol isn’t the only active working to hold on to your sun-kissed glow. Aloe Vera, Shea Butter, Glycerin, Sunflower Oil and Apricot Kernel Oil all help to keep the skin hydrated and healthy to prevent your skin from peeling, taking your tan with it.

Apply your after sun every day after showering to increase the longevity of your golden glow.

This is the best After Sun I have used. Have been buying it for 10 years now and it never disappoints . Lovely fresh smell and really helps keep your tan going all Summer- Tricia

Another way to extend the life of your tan is to take cool showers rather than hot. Hot showers can be very drying, so a cool shower keeps as much moisture in your skin as possible.

Does after sun repel mosquitos?

It depends on the formula. Some after suns are formulated with insect repellent.

Moisturising After Sun with Insect Repellent is our multi-purpose cooling after sun that also contains a DEET-free citrus ingredient which helps to protect against midges, ticks, and mosquitoes for up to 4 hours.

Suitable for use during pregnancy and safe for infants aged 6 months+, this after sun with insect natural repellent blends moisture-binding plant actives with a plant-based insect repellent that’s rich in insect repellent molecules, including PMD.

This product was lovely. Moisturised my skin whilst keeping me free from mozzy bites on a recent 2 week holiday. My husband got a few bites and I didn’t get any. Put this on after a shower every evening – Gill

The founder of Green People was inspired to create Moisturising After Sun with Insect Repellent by her personal travel experiences. Charlotte Vøhtz says:

I visited Ghana with my daughter on a trip to meet our Shea Butter suppliers and whilst there, I saw young children waving branches of Lemon Eucalyptus.

I soon discovered that this plant was naturally rich in insect repellent molecules including PMD. I was so impressed by the natural insect repellent properties of this plant that I used it to create my DEET-free after sun.”

Lemon Eucalyptus

When should you apply after sun?

Suitable for use on for both face and body, Green People’s after sun lotions should be applied liberally and frequently in the evening, after sun exposure.

To cool skin after hot summer’s day, gently tap your after sun into clean skin after showering.

Not just good for summer, they can also be used year-round as a nourishing body lotion – especially handy during the drying winter months when our legs can be prone to dry skin.

Shop sun cream and after sun

As well as after sun, did you know that Green People have a wide selection of natural and organic sun creams?

Complete your sun care routine with one of our super-nourishing SPF moisturisers or our bestselling SPF30 sun creams for adults or kids.

 

Do you need help choosing a natural and organic after sun or do you have any further questions about how our after suns work? Our friendly UK customer care team is happy to help and can be contacted on 01403 740250 or at organic@greenpeople.co.uk.

If you wish to republish this content, please credit Green People as the original creator with a link to "How does after sun work?". Please do not use an affiliate link.

Reviewed by:

This blog post has been reviewed by Charlotte Vøhtz, founder of Green People, who has 25+ years of experience in the natural and organic beauty industry. A recognised leader in the field of organic beauty, Charlotte helped inform the UK's first organic beauty standards and was voted the People’s Choice in the 2023 list of Who’s Who in Natural Beauty. A published author, she wrote the organic beauty bible ‘Naturally Gorgeous’. Previously, she qualified as a nurse and spent over 10 years working in pharmaceuticals


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