Essential Oil Recipes for Sunburn

There’s nothing worse than coming home from a long day at the beach or pool to realize that you’ve burnt yourself to a crisp. I know we’re all in need of a vacation this summer season, so to not spoil a well-deserved relaxing trip, I’m arming you with the best essential oil recipes for sunburn. This article will share the top six essential oils for sunburn and easy DIY recipes to help heal sunburn quickly and effectively. 

Best Essential oils for Sunburn

Lavender 

When it comes to effective sunburn relief, lavender essential oil is the go-to. Its naturally skin-soothing ability and anti-inflammatory properties ease the stinging, red, and swelling that comes with a burn. 

Lavender’s antimicrobial properties also help to health the skin and prevent any infection. 

Tea Tree 

Tea tree essential oil is one of the must-have oils for any skin issue. As an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial, tea trees can help make your sunburn heal faster, similarly to the way it makes pimples go away quicker. If you’re concerned about an infection, using tea tree oil will help ease all your worries. 

Sandalwood 

Sandalwood essential oil is extremely hydrating for the skin—helping to quench your burnt skin and reduce itching and peeling that comes with sunburn. 

Frankincense 

Frankincense oil is one of the most potent natural remedies when it comes to the skin. And that’s because it works on the cellular level. This potent oil will help to regenerate and rejuvenate the skin quickly and easily. Bonus: frankincense reduces inflammation, working to heal the burns and reduce any pain that comes with it. 

Myrrh 

Frankincense and myrrh have synergistic effects when combined. If you’re looking for an impressive healing duo for the skin and sunburn, look no further than these two powerhouses. Myrrh has anesthetic and antibacterial properties, working to induce insensitivity to pain and reduce the risk of infection. Plus, it’s a powerful antioxidant that can increase healing.  

Peppermint 

Peppermint’s analgesic properties help it to reduce any pain that comes with a sunburn. This oil is also anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiseptic. And thanks to its menthol compound, peppermint promotes a cooling sensation that will take the burn out of sunburn. 

DIY Essential Oil Recipes for Sunburn 

Sunburn Body Oil Relief

Ingredients 

• 5 tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil/Coconut Oil (melted)/Fractionated Coconut Oil
• 2 tablespoons almond oil
• 15 drops lavender Oil
• 4 drops Roman Chamomile oil (you can also switch this out for myrrh and/or frankincense)
• 2 drops geranium oil (optional)

Directions: combine your choice of carrier oils to a dark-colored bottle. Add essential oils and shake well before each use. Apply twice a day.

Cooling Spray 

Our family loves this recipe from doTERRA. Its overflowing with the best essential oils for sunburn and also comes with aloe vera for some extra sunburn help. 

Ingredients 

• 1 cup aloe vera juice 
• ¼ cup fractionated coconut oil 
• 8 drops peppermint oil 
• 8 drops tea tree oil 
• 8 drops lavender oil 
• 1 teaspoon vitamin E 

Directions: add ingredients to a dark glass spray bottle and shake well to combine. Spray away! 

Sunburn Salve 

Ingredients

• 1 cup shea butter (unscented is best) 
• ½ cup almond oil
• ½ cup coconut oil 
• Essential oils (frankincense, myrrh, lavender, sandalwood) 

Directions: 

1. Gently melt the shea butter and coconut oil over very low heat. Some say to use a double broiler, but I’ve had success just making sure that the heat is very low. I add the shea butter to the pot first, and once it’s pretty melted, I add the coconut oil. The reason for this is because the shea butter takes longer to melt than the coconut oil.
2. Remove from heat and stir in the almond oil.
3. Transfer to a large mixing bowl and place in the refrigerator. You’ll need to chill the oils until they are solidified but still soft to the touch. You should be able to press your finger into the oil, and it leaves an indentation. I wish I could say exactly how long it takes to get to this point, but it depends on your refrigerator and how cold it is. It typically takes my refrigerator 1 ½ to 2 hours to get the right consistency. Check out the video to see exactly what to look for so you know when your body butter is ready to be whipped.
4. Once it’s chilled, using a handheld mixer or KitchenAid, whip the mixture until it’s a thick and fluffy consistency – like smooth creamy butter. Transfer to a clean jar and seal.
5. To use as a sunburn cream – add 1 drop each essential oil to the palm of one hand. Using your index finger, scoop a dollop of body butter into the same palm holding the essential oils. Combine by gently rubbing your palms together. Apply to the sunburned areas using more essential oil and body butter as needed. Apply 3 to 4 times during the day the first 2 to 3 days after a burn and then 1 to 2 times a day after that.

*Note: I don’t recommend adding the essential oil to the homemade body butter as it’s being whipped, although that is an option. I prefer to add the oils at each use when aiming for a therapeutic result. The reason for this is that it’s hard to find amber or cobalt blue jars that are widemouth/perfect for homemade body butter. Essential oils are sensitive to light, and they will lose their potency over time when exposed to light.