We Tested Over 40 After-Sun Lotions — These Are the 14 We Keep Using

The main downside of this mask is that it must be left on for at least three to four hours, preferably overnight, to see full benefits; most sheet masks need to be worn for just 10 to 20 minutes. If you're not someone who tosses and turns a lot as you sleep, you may be able to sleep in it. But light sleepers or people who move around a lot during shut-eye may want to choose a product that don't need to be kept on as long.

Coola’s Organic Radical Recovery After Sun Body Lotion’s blend of a rich cream texture and hydrating ingredients makes it a supremely hydrating after-sun lotion.

At over $30 for a 5-ounce (oz) squeeze tube, this is a pricey option, and some reviewers felt it was too expensive. That said, many reviewers say it's worth the price because of its effectiveness and velvety-soft texture.

Hawaiian Tropic is well known for its vast array of sun-related products. Its After Sun Body Butter is a rich, moisturizing after-sun lotion made with nourishing ingredients such as shea butter, coconut oil, and avocado oil.

Users consistently speak to its effectiveness, noting that it's extremely moisturizing and has a rich, non-greasy texture (which can be hard to find with body butters). Many reviewers also praise the tropical, coconut scent.

If you have sensitive skin, this may not be the right product for you; several people said that it caused skin irritation. The container is also quite bulky, so it may not be the best option for travel. That said, it’s still an effective, affordable option.

This lightweight skin cream contains postbiotics that soothe and calm irritated skin. Because it is hypoallergenic and Avène makes it without preservatives, parabens, and fragrances, it’s also gentle enough for sensitive skin.

I tested this cream and have continued to use it beyond the two-week testing period. When a short trip to the pool turned into a long, lazy day, I accidentally got a sunburn and turned to this cream right away. I found it soothing on my burnt skin and very hydrating; I never experienced peeling on my face from my sunburn while using this cream.

While I personally prefer a slightly thicker moisturizer for daytime use, I noticed that Avène’s Soothing Skin Recovery Cream isn’t as lightweight as other daytime moisturizers, and some may find it too heavy under their makeup. This cream should be followed up with a sunscreen or face cream containing SPF, as it does not provide sun protection.

This aloe vera gel is alcohol-free and made from plant-based ingredients, including aloe vera and witch hazel. Applied after sun exposure, it is a lightweight gel that has an immediate cooling effect upon application.

We loved that this product is hypoallergenic, vegan, and cruelty-free. However, writer Marisa Olsen did note that this is a scented product, which may not be appropriate for very sensitive skin types.

“We found the product to help with cooling and moisturizing, but the product would often feel sticky,” said Olsen. “I was skeptical of the hydrating effect, but after the next day, skin felt normalized, less red — especially on my son’s burnt neck — and partially hydrated without any emollient or creamy texture.”

Eucerin’s Advanced Hydration After Sun Lotion is the best after-sun lotion to buy on a budget because its affordable price tag doesn’t seem to limit its effectiveness at soothing and hydrating sun-stressed skin.

During testing, I loved that this lightweight product quickly absorbed into my skin and didn’t leave it feeling sticky or greasy. It has a nice, soothing effect after application and definitely helped keep my peeling under control after an accidental sunburn at the pool with my kids.

Reviewers of the Korres gel have said that you can instantly feel the cooling sensation on your skin after putting it on, which helps calm burned skin. However, because it contains Greek yogurt, this after-sun gel is not vegan-friendly. Also, some reviewers felt the scent was overpowering, while others enjoyed it. Fortunately, it's also available in a small 20-milliliter (mL) size. So if you're sensitive to strong smells, you can try it out before investing in the full-size version.

Mannion described this cream as “extremely moisturizing,” and said daily use prevented dryness, even after she spent significant time outside in the sun as well as in chlorinated and saltwater pools. It was thicker than she was used to, taking a few minutes to fully absorb.

“It wasn’t greasy at all,” Mannion said. “Plus, once I rubbed it in completely, it left my skin feeling plump and hydrated without feeling weighed down.”

Eucerin Advanced Repair Cream is a hypoallergenic, scent-free lotion that is great for more sensitive skin types. It is also affordably priced at under $20 for a 16-oz jar. One thing worth noting is that this size of the cream comes in a tub, rather than a bottle with a pump, which may not be the preferred application method for some.

Sun Bum Revitalizing Protect & Repair Oil acts as a heat protectant, shielding the hair from damage caused by the sun’s UV rays. It is also a reparative oil, with natural ingredients like sunflower, jojoba, and Abyssinian seed oils that hydrate and strengthen the hair while controlling frizz.

Writer Raki Swanson used Sun Bum’s Revitalizing Protect & Repair Oil for two weeks and noted that her hair was more hydrated during that time. She also felt that the oil prevented damage when she spent time in the sun.

“I liked that it wasn't a heavy oil; it was lightweight and not very thick,” she said. “My hair was always soft after using it, especially when in water. I didn't get anything in my eyes when my hair was wet, and I did reapply after a few hours as recommended.”

She also found that this hair oil absorbed easily. Like all Sun Bum products, this product is scented and smells like coconut and bananas.

Many gel-based after-sun products are sticky and have strong smells, but not this one. It receives overwhelmingly positive reviews, with people saying it soaks into skin immediately, quickly relieves pain and discomfort from sunburns, and minimizes peeling. In addition to aloe, it contains calendula and hyaluronic acid to hydrate and support skin-barrier repair.

We appreciate that the formula doesn’t include sulfates, parabens, phthalates, glycols, dyes, and fragrances. That makes it a good option for people with sensitive skin. Some reviewers said it only provided relief for about one hour. But as anyone who’s gotten their fair share of sunburns knows, these products typically need to be applied regularly for consistent relief after a sunburn.

For those who prefer a cooling mist for after-sun care, we love Coppertone After Sun Soothing & Cooling Mist. At under $10 a bottle, it's an affordable option that contains soothing aloe and moisturizing hyaluronic acid.

This lightweight mist helped soothe many users’ skin after a sunburn, but some reviewers said it had a slightly tacky texture. Some people loved its light aloe-vera scent, while others felt it smelled a bit like a cleaning solution.

CeraVe created its moisturizing cream specifically for the most sensitive skin types, earning it the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance. This cream is noncomedogenic, fragrance-free, and doesn’t contain parabens. It has been allergy-tested and developed with the help of dermatologists.

This simple but effective lip balm moisturizes your lips, soothes after sun exposure, and is gentle on sensitive skin — all things that you want in an after-sun treatment. It’s made without preservatives, dyes, and fragrances, which makes it a good option for people with sensitive skin. Natural ingredients like shea butter and jojoba oil hydrate and moisturize, while aloe vera provides a cooling sensation to help soothe sunburned lips.

That said, this lip balm doesn't contain SPF, so you'll want to choose a different product for days that you spend out in the sun. Also, it receives mixed reviews about how long it lasts, with some people saying they had to reapply it frequently.

Solarcaine After Sun Face Relief Gel is a non-comedogenic after-sun lotion that isn’t greasy and won’t clog your pores. This gel provides a cooling and soothing effect, promising to reduce redness and peeling, making it perfect for irritated skin after sun exposure. Solarcaine After Sun Face Relief Gel won’t aggravate sensitive skin because it is hypoallergenic and free from fragrances, parabens, and petrolatum.

“It's very lightweight and silky,” said writer Katie Mannion, says. “It's not thick or creamy like a lotion, but it's not clear or sticky like many after-sun gels.”

Solarcaine After Sun Face Relief Gel comes in a small tube with a pump, so it’s easy to travel with for on-the-go use. It also absorbs quickly, soaking into the skin within 30 seconds after application.