How to Make a Sunburn Salve

Spent a little too much time in the sun? Here’s how to make a Sunburn Salve that will soothe and protect your skin as it heals.

How to Make a Sunburn Salve

Summer is the best time for the whole family to go on outdoor adventures and picnics or bask in the sun and get some much-needed vitamin D. Before you know it, though, you’re out there way too long, and here comes that hot, burning sensation all over your skin. Sunburns are no fun, so I’m sharing a natural, homemade sunburn salve recipe to help you replace store-bought ones.

I used to use aloe vera gels, but lately, pure aloe has become so hard to find with clean ingredients. Aloe Gels from the store tend to be filled with all kinds of preservatives and interesting chemicals that tend to cause even more irritation on my skin.

This recipe is simple to make but does use several different dried botanicals to get the infusion to make the sunburn cream. I’ve linked all of them below, so if they aren’t something that you dry yourself, you can buy them online.

Please note that infusions take quite a bit of time to make correctly, so although the actual “recipe” can be made quickly and easily, it will take time to get started. 

What is a Salve?

A salve is a soothing ointment that is applied to the skin for healing and protection. It is commonly used for burns, itches, or rashes.

Ingredients in Sunburn Salve

With these simple and natural ingredients, you can easily whip up this homemade sunburn salve to be your perfect sunburn remedy for summer.

• ¼ cup dried lavender
• ¼ cup aloe vera powder
• ¼ cup dried comfrey leaves
• ¼ cup dried calendula
• 1 cup avocado oil
• 1 ½ to 2 tablespoons beeswax pellets
• 5-10 drops of lavender essential oil

Instructions for Making Sunburn Salve

First, add the aloe vera powder, comfrey leaves, lavender, and calendula in a quart-sized mason jar. Try to keep it about halfway full.

Pour the avocado oil into the glass jar, filling it and making sure everything is covered. Put the lid on and keep it covered for 4 to 6 weeks to infuse the oil. You can also use olive oil if you don’t have avocado oil.

Tip: Make sure to shake or stir the jar every day.

After the infusion, strain the oil through a coffee filter or press. Melt the beeswax and infused oil slowly in a double boiler and medium heat or microwave. Fun fact: beeswax provides a protective coating that locks in moisture and protects the skin and natural healing without clogging pores – the perfect ingredient for a salve.

Allow the mixture to cool slightly, and then whisk in a few drops of lavender oil. (Essential oils are always optional in a recipe, but lavender can really help here with the soothing. A few drops of Peppermint Essential Oil might be welcome too.)

Pour the liquid mixture into small tins or containers and let cool for a few hours or overnight. This recipe yields approximately 6 to 8 ounces of salve. The wax will help it harden into an easy-to-use balm by the next morning.

Tips on How to Use Sunburn Salve

• Be sure to label your salve with the ingredients and the date it was made.
• To test the consistency of the salve, place a small amount on the back of your hand and let it cool. If it’s too soft, add more beeswax; if it’s too hard, add more oil. I like it softer to apply to sunburns carefully.
• If your sunburn is so bad that it has blisters, please see a doctor. Infections and severe burns are not something to wait to treat.

How to Store Sunburn Salve

Store the sunburn salve in a cool, dry place for up to six months to ensure a longer shelf-life. Make sure to close the lid properly after you use it to avoid contamination.

Print

After-Sun Soothing Salve Recipe

Prep Time 45 days

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 45 days 5 minutes

Servings 6 ounces

Creator Merissa

Ingredients

• ¼ cup dried lavender
• ¼ cup aloe vera powder
• ¼ cup dried comfrey leaves
• ¼ cup dried calendula
• 1 cup avocado oil
• 1 ½ to 2 tablespoons beeswax pellets
• 5-10 drops of lavender essential oil

Instructions

1. Add in your aloe vera powder, comfrey leaves, lavender, and calendula all in the jar, trying to keep it about halfway full.
2. Pour the avocado oil into the glass jar, filling it and making sure everything is covered.
3. Put the lid on and keep it covered for 4 to 6 weeks to infuse the oil. Shake the jar every day.
4. After the infusion period, strain the oil through a coffee filter or coffee press.
5. In a double boiler or microwave, melt the beeswax and infused oil slowly.
6. Allow it to cool slightly, and then add a few drops of lavender essential oil.
7. Pour the mixture into small tins and let cool for a few hours or overnight.

More Homemade Salve Recipes

• Homemade Healing Salve
• The Best Burn Salve Recipe

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Have you tried making your own sunburn salve (or any kind of salve)? If you try this recipe, please let me know what you think. Leave a comment below!

Merissa has been blogging about and living the simple life since 2009 and has internationally published 2 books on the topic. You can read about Merissa’s journey from penniless to freedom on the About Page. You can send her a message any time from the Contact Page.

This recipe for How to Make Sunburn Salve was originally posted on Little House Living in August 2023.