6 min read

After-Sun Facial Oils: Botanicals to Calm and Nourish

Written By: Robin Lander

We wish it wasn’t so, but the truth is well known: Prolonged and cumulative UV exposure can greatly impact our skin’s appearance. Too much time spent unprotected out in the elements can contribute to reduced moisture and elasticity, dark spots, rough texture, and diminished glow.

What can we do about it? First and foremost, we can do our best to avoid sun exposure and wear shielding clothing, hats, and sunscreen. However, at those times when skin needs after-sun support, our botanical allies provide a wealth of ingredients for calming, replenishing skincare formulations.

Many carrier oils and essential oils offer properties to help nourish and revitalize the complexion after sun exposure. We’ll share some of the best oils for after-sun facial care along with two facial oil formulations for inspiration.

Carrier Oils for After-Sun Nourishment

Some research suggests that carrier oils with a higher linoleic acid to oleic acid ratio are particularly useful for supporting the skin after sun exposure. Polyunsaturated linoleic and alpha-linolenic essential fatty acids are especially important because they play a key role in maintaining skin clarity and comfort.

Carrier oils rich in these fatty acids, along with other beneficial lipids, antioxidant vitamin E, retinoic acid (a form of vitamin A), phytosterols, and other nutrients are deeply nourishing for facial care and support the skin’s natural barrier against moisture loss. Here are a few excellent options:

·         Cranberry Seed Oil - Organic – Containing linoleic and alpha-linolenic fatty acids at about 30% each, all 8 forms of vitamin E, polyphenols such as quercetin, and provitamin A carotenoids, Cranberry Seed helps improve the appearance of dark spots and mature and sun-exposed skin.

·         Cacay Seed Oil – Packed with retinoic acid and vitamin E, Cacay Seed is prized for its ability to smooth, clarify, and brighten the skin’s appearance. With about 70% linoleic acid, it helps lock in moisture without overwhelming delicate skin.

·         Raspberry Seed CO2 - Organic – Containing over 80% essential fatty acids, vitamin E and pro-vitamin A, this exceptionally light, non-occlusive oil supports the skin’s moisture barrier and elasticity, helping condition skin after environmental exposure.

·         Strawberry Seed Oil - Organic – Rich in linoleic and alpha-linolenic fatty acids, vitamin E, and carotenoids, Strawberry Seed supports the skin’s own barrier against moisture loss and improves the appearance of elasticity, smoothness, dark spots, and dehydration.

·         Jojoba Oil, Golden-Organic – Lightweight, versatile Jojoba contains 97% monounsaturated wax esters closely resembling human sebum. This ideal base carrier is high in vitamin E and free sterols, replenishes all skin types, and adds stability to your formula.

·         Prickly Pear Seed Oil – Organic – Renowned for its lightweight, ‘dry’ oil feel, luxurious Prickly Pear is rich in antioxidant vitamins E and A, essential fatty acids, and phytosterols that leave skin feeling moisturized and velvety while brightening the complexion.

·         Argan Oil – Organic – With an excellent balance of both linoleic and oleic acids, Argan has a lightweight ‘dry’ oil feel that moisturizes without greasiness. Vitamin E, polyphenols, and squalene help calm and condition skin after exposure to the elements.

·         Tamanu (Foraha) Oil – Organic – Dubbed “Green Gold,” a unique fatty acid and lactone contribute to the Tamanu’s remarkable effect on improving the appearance of skin tone, texture, and imperfections for all skin types.

Essential Oils for After-Sun Skin Care

Essential oils can add antioxidant, revitalizing, and calming qualities to your formulations, helping to improve the appearance of dark spots, imperfections, and dull skin. Keep in mind that essential oils must be diluted in a carrier oil before application to the skin, especially delicate facial skin. Essential Oils that are particularly helpful after sun exposure include:

·         Chamomile, Blue – Containing cool, deep blue chamazulene, Blue Chamomile helps calm and improve the appearance of skin tone and can offer a vibrant blue-green hue to formulations.

·         Lavender, France – Organic – Lavender grown at high elevations such as our premium organic French Lavender are naturally high in the calming ester linalyl acetate.

·         Frankincense CO2, Somalia – the compounds incensol, alpha-pinene, and limonene help improve skin tone and brighten the appearance of dark spots.

·         Rose Otto, Bulgaria - Organic  - Containing about 22% of the beneficial monoterpene geraniol, Rose Otto is tonifying, hydrating, and softening, helping skin retain moisture.

·         Patchouli, Light – The sesquiterpene patchoulol at about 32% helps calm and rejuvenate and is especially helpful for mature, dry skin.

·         Manuka – Triketones such as leptospermone help clarify the skin and improve the appearance of wrinkles and imperfections.

·         Tea Tree – Organic – Fresh herbaceous monoterpene terpinene-4-ol helps to calm, cleanse, and revitalize while supporting the skin’s natural barrier.

·         Geranium, Africa - Organic – Antioxidant citronellol and geraniol come together to revive tired or dry skin and help to clarify oily or congested skin.

Dilutions for Facial Skin

Generally, for facial formulations a dilution of 0.5% - 1% essential oils in 99.5% - 99% carrier oils is suggested. That’s approximately 5-9 total drops of essential oils to every 1 oz. of carrier oil base. If you have sensitive skin, consider a lower dilution or omit the essential oils altogether.

Be sure to review the Safety Considerations provided in the drop-down menu on the left side of the product page for information on contraindications, safety concerns, and dermal maximum recommendations. For example, Rose Otto has a maximum recommended dermal use level of 0.6% due to the presence of methyl eugenol.

Pro Tip: To boost the stability of your blend, consider adding an antioxidant such as our Vitamin E Oil - Bioxan ® SF. Not only is vitamin E beneficial for after-sun care, it slows the oxidation of carrier oils and helps extend the overall freshness and shelf life of your formulation.

You can learn more about how to dilute essential oils for skincare or other applications on our Dilutions Solutions page.

Formulas for After-Sun Facial Oils

Here are two facial oil formulations for after-sun care, each offering unique benefits, texture, and aromatic profile.

Formula #1: Calming After-Sun Facial Oil

A lightweight, replenishing formula with a sweet-herbaceous aroma, especially suited for combination, oily, or congested skin. Suitable for body as well as facial skin.

15 ml Cranberry Seed Oil - Organic

10 ml Jojoba Oil, Golden-Organic

5 ml Argan Oil – Organic

3 drops Lavender, France – Organic essential oil

2 drops Chamomile, Blue essential oil

3 drops Frankincense CO2, Somalia essential oil

Formula #2: Nourishing After-Sun Facial Oil

A richer, luxurious formula with a floral-earthy aroma, especially for dry and mature skin. Due to the delicate nature of these carrier oils, inclusion of antioxidant such as our Vitamin E Oil - Bioxan® SF is recommended to help slow oxidation.

10 ml Strawberry Seed Oil - Organic

8 ml Cacay Seed Oil

7 ml Prickly Pear Seed Oil – Organic

5 ml Raspberry Seed CO2 - Organic

5 drops Rose Otto, Bulgaria - Organic essential oil

3 drops Patchouli, Light essential oil

6 drops Vitamin E Oil - Bioxan® SF

Directions:

Set a 1 oz. glass bottle with pump on a paper towel to absorb any spills. Use large Measuring Stem Pipettes to add each carrier oil to the bottle. Then, use Fine Stem Pipettes to add each essential oil.

Heat the Vitamin E Oil - Bioxan® SF bottle in a water bath until it reaches 140° F to liquify. Mix well to homogenize, then use a fine stem pipette to add it to your formula.

Twist on the pump top and gently shake to combine all ingredients. Don’t forget to label the bottle with the name of your product, the date, and include the ingredients if possible. For best aromatic results, give formulations 24 hours to mature.

To Use:

Apply a few drops of facial oil to damp skin after cleansing, or skin that has been spritzed with Lavender Hydrosol – Organic before application. Gently press or massage the oil into your skin, avoiding the eye area.

Facial oils perform best on damp skin. Pairing them with a light layer of moisture helps them spread easily, leaving skin feeling soft and silky rather than greasy.

Pro Tip: After significant sun exposure, allow the skin to cool before applying an oil-based formulation. If the skin feels hot, spritz with a Hydrosol to hydrate and cool, such as Lavender Hydrosol – Organic, Rose Hydrosol - Organic, Cucumber Hydrosol - Organic, or Chamomile, Blue Hydrosol - Organic.

We recommend performing a patch test when working with any of our ingredients topically, especially before use on the face. Consult with your physician before using any essential oils if you are on medication or have a serious medical condition.

Formulator Notes

While facial oils are at their best when used fresh, proper storage will help extend their life. Kept in a cool, dark place, most facial oils will remain stable for about 3-6 months. An added antioxidant can help preserve their quality.

Ultimately, shelf life depends on the stability of the carrier oils you’ve chosen and the integrity of your packaging. Store any unused portions of oxidation-prone carrier oils tightly sealed in the refrigerator until you are ready to formulate with them again.

For more formulator tips on facial care ingredients, see our article: How to Formulate a Facial Oil – A Step-by-Step Guide.