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Best after sun lotion
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Discover the best after-sun lotions from Burt’s Bees and more.

Editor’s Picks: 12 of the Best After-Sun Lotions to Soothe, Hydrate and Repair Your Skin

They’re not just for sunburns.

You already know how important it is to wear (and re-apply) sunscreen whenever you’re outdoors. But there’s one more step to complete your suncare routine: an after-sun lotion.

You might think that after-sun products are only necessary when you’ve had a sunburn—but think again. Research shows that even if you don’t burn, UV light can disrupt your skin barrier and trigger dryness and inflammation.1,2,3 It can also lead to DNA damage that you can’t see, which continues for hours after sun exposure.4

That’s why it’s a good idea to apply soothing, hydrating and reparative ingredients as soon as you can after spending time in the sun. 

Below, discover the best after-sun lotions, why I chose them, and what you need to know about each one.

The Best After-Sun Lotions of 2024

Best after sun lotion

As a beauty editor, I’ve tested and evaluated after-sun lotions from a range of brands. These are my top picks for every preference:

Best Moisturizing

Best Cooling

Best Clean Beauty

Best K-Beauty

Best Aloe

Best Sprays

Best Splurge

For more details on each formula, read on.

Best Moisturizing

Burt’s Bees Aloe & Coconut Oil After Sun Soother

Burt's Bees Aloe Coconut Oil After Sun Soother

If sun exposure has left your skin dry and dehydrated, Burt’s Bees Aloe & Coconut Oil After Sun Soother can help to restore moisture and softness. That’s because it contains a mix of water-binding humectants (like glycerin and aloe), along with coconut oil to lock them in. This lotion is 98.9% natural and formulated for the body. Besides after-sun, you can also use it as a regular daily body moisturizer.

  • Pros: Moisturizing, natural ingredients
  • Cons: Some may not like the scent

Burt’s Bees reviewer: “I’ve had my fair share of sunburns as a fair-skinned lass. And I’ve done the gels and creams, but Burt’s Bees After Sun Soother just hydrates the heck out of your skin. Since I’ve started using this, I haven’t had the post-burn peeling issue when I do get too much sun. Anytime I’ve been outside, I come home, shower, and apply this. Skin feels amazing, and the smell is great, too.”

Best Cooling

Vacation After Sun Gel

Vacation After Sun Gel

With its retro packaging, Vacation After Sun Gel may look like the after-sun gels you grew up using, but the formula itself is 100% modern. This is a lightweight, non-sticky body gel that’s free of alcohol and dyes. It cools and calms your skin with aloe, cucumber and niacinamide while tremella mushroom, hyaluronic and and vitamin E work to hydrate and repair. 

  • Pros: Cooling, soothing, lightweight
  • Cons: Contains synthetic fragrance

Anthropologie reviewer: “I think this is the end-all, be-all of after-sun products. Lightweight, hydrating, cooling, soothing, and leaves the most elegant aquatic and citrusy fragrance on the skin. The packaging is handsome and durable enough to be carried around in your beach bag all summer. It’s everything you want after a long day in the sun, especially after that miraculous post-beach shower before you go out to a nice dinner.”