Enjoy making your own homemade Soothing After-Sun Lotion

A lotion made from natural ingredients provides more skin nourishing components than commercial lotions.

Summertime is eagerly anticipated by all that love to bask in the sun. Overexposure to the sun's burning rays however is an ever-present danger which can lead to dry, sensitive, sunburned skin. Also over time prolonged sun exposure can cause wrinkles, spots and skin cancer. Both the elastin and the collagen, which are the key components of the skin's supportive matrix, can be permanently damaged. Because the skin may start to sag, a beneficial skin-care regiment including both sunscreen and after-sun lotion should be implemented.

What is your skin eating?

	Tip: Natural After-Sun Lotion is chemical free and contains no chemical preservative. Shelf life is about 4 weeks. Store in refrigerator to extend life to about 3 months.
After-Sun Lotion Recipe: Comfrey-root extract 1 tbsp. dried or 2 tbsp. fresh comfrey root 1 cup distilled water Lipid base 1 tbsp. unrefined beeswax 3/4 cup sweet-almond oil 2 tbsp. liquid lecithin 1 tbsp. cocoa butter 4 vitamin-E capsules Lotion 2 tbsp. comfrey-root extract (above) 4 tbsp. aloe-vera gel 1 tsp. borax powder Prepared lipid base (above) 15 drops lavender essential oil	Make the comfrey-root extract first. In a small pot, add the comfrey root to the distilled water. Bring to a boil. Cover and lower heat. Simmer for 30 min. Remove from heat and strain into a small bowl; set aside to cool. Mix all the ingredients except the vitamin-E capsules for the lipid base in a double boiler and heat until the wax and cocoa butter have melted. Stir thoroughly and remove from heat. Pierce the vitamin-E capsules with a sterilized needle and squeeze all the contents into the lipid mixture. Stir again and set aside to cool. In another small saucepan, mix the comfrey-root extract and the aloe-vera gel for the lotion blend. Heat over a low flame. Add the borax and stir until it dissolves. Remove from heat. Allow both mixtures to cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally. Slowly pour the lipid-base mixture into the lotion mixture while stirring with a small whisk or spoon. Add the lavender oil and mix well. Store in a plastic or glass bottle and keep out of direct sunlight in a cool, dry location, or in a refrigerator. Apply as needed, using gentle motions.
Application: Thoroughly rinse your skin and use a soft, clean towel to blot excess water until the skin is slightly damp. Apply the after-sun lotion, using gentle strokes to spread it evenly. If you are sunburned, pat - don't rub - lotion onto your skin.
Ingredient Benefits: Liquid lecithin to soften the skin: Made from pure soybean oil, this emulsifier is high in the B vitamins choline and inositol, which are vital for healthy skin. Lecithin also helps to soften and condition the skin. Comfrey root for emollient benefits: Comfrey-root extract contains essential nutrients, such as allantoin, emollients and mucopolysaccharides. It also helps to minimize inflammation and counteract cellular aging. Vitamin E to preserve lotions: Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant, can help to heal damaged skin. In addition, it is a natural preservative, protecting after-sun lotions from fungal and bacterial growth. Unrefined beeswax for nourishing and soothing the skin: Skin-nourishing propolis, a natural antibiotic, and trace amounts of vitamins and minerals are found in unrefined beeswax. Beeswax gives after-sun lotions a thick, creamy consistency. In addition, the beeswax prevents the loss of moisture from dehydrated skin. Aloe-vera gel for healing: Aloe-vera gel is recognized as an effective aid in healing almost any type of burn or wound. It can help replenish the skin with moisture and foster cell regeneration.

Since 1987 Mountain Rose Herbs has become the Leading Organic Supplier in not only the finest organic botanical products, but the freshest as well. From their bulk organic herbs and spices, to their essential oils and herbal teas, the quality and integrity of what they offer is unparalleled. In fact, we firmly believe nobody can deliver a better product.