Best aftersun lotion to soothe parched, damaged skin

Packed with a hardworking blend of refreshing hydration and soothing botanicals, the gel-cream texture of this product is immediately cooling and satisfying. I found it absorbed into skin quickly and didn’t leave a greasy residue in its wake, nor did it have a white cast. I appreciated the added calming ingredients, such as allantoin and ginkgo biloba leaf extract, which helps to reduce inflammation and support skin’s recovery after sun exposure.

It does have a slight fragrance, which I liked, but it’s something to be aware of if you have super sensitive skin. I also liked the lightweight texture, but those with extremely dry skin might find they need to apply more often. However, the balance of efficacy, texture and kind-to-skin ingredients make this a great all-rounder.

A supremely lightweight lotion that provides an instantly cooling, soothing sensation on the skin. Infused with a hint of cactus extract, known and loved for its calming and soothing properties, it helped to effectively alleviate that annoying sun-induced tightness that sunburnt skin can often have. Plus, it absorbed incredibly quickly – it was almost like applying water onto the skin – and it didn’t leave a sticky or greasy residue. It’s the ideal formula for quick reapplication, if needed.

It’s worth noting some burns, or drier skin types, might benefit from a thicker, more hydrating aftersun, and this Garnier formula contains fragrance, which may not be for you if you have sensitive skin. However, the price point makes this a standout favourite, especially since it delivers reliable hydration and comfort. Just remember it might be best layered with a more nourishing moisturiser, depending on your skin type.

A standout favourite, Caudalie’s aftersun really hydrates skin, thanks to its soothing, moisture-rich formula. Infused with aloe vera extract to soothe, organic grape water to replenish, and coconut oil to nourish dryness, the light, milky lotion provides an instant burst of moisture that really refreshes skin. It absorbs quickly, and any feelings of tightness are instantly relieved after just one use.

The texture is lightweight but incredibly effective, and I especially liked that it layers well underneath clothing, without feeling sticky or heavy. It does have a subtle monoi-coconut fragrance that most, if not all, Caudalie products have, which I like. However, if your skin is super sensitive, it’s always worth doing a small patch test first to check your tolerance levels of new products.

Overall, this is a lovely aftersun that’s cooling, calming and hydrating, and it feels incredibly luxurious. Though £20 is a lot for 200ml, it’s less expensive than the other other luxury aftersuns I tried.

From the second this gel-cream glides onto warm skin, it cocoons it in a hit of much-needed hydration. Its ultra-light texture absorbs almost instantly, and it’s packed with finely milled aloe vera and sweet almond extract to calm sun-damaged skin, working quickly and effectively to diminish tightness and add comfort.

It is quite heavily fragranced, with a blend of citrussy, floral, spa-like notes, which might not be to everybody’s taste – I found it to be quite overwhelming at first, but once it had absorbed into the skin, I found it much nicer.

However, in terms of texture and effectiveness, Clarins’ gel delivers an elevated experience that feels distinctly luxurious compared with some other offerings. If you’re looking for an indulgent, post-sun treat for your skin, this product is worth the splurge, but it’s the most expensive aftersun I tested.

An all-natural, alcohol-free formula, this aftersun lotion is fast absorbing and enriched with a blend of carrot and rosehip extract, quince seeds, calming marigold and anthyllis, to leave skin feeling silky smooth and seriously nourished.

While it has a semi-cooling feeling on skin, it wasn’t as noticeable as some of the others that I tested, but with continued use – and thanks to its ingredients – it should ensure skin is less likely to peel and flake, in turn helping it to maintain a natural-looking tan. It’s also not the most hydrating product I’ve tried, but the skin-friendly, natural ingredients are soothing, plus it’s lightweight and absorbs quickly without leaving a sticky residue in its wake.

While I liked its scent – it has a botanical, essential oil-infused, spa-like fragrance – it may not be to everybody’s taste. But for anybody wanting to treat their skin with a lightweight but effective, all-natural product that will prolong a sun-kissed glow, this delivers. However, it’s pretty expensive.

Staying true to the La Roche-Posay ethos, this lotion provides sun-damaged skin with maximal comfort and minimal irritation, making it perfect for delicate skin. Formulated with a blend of skin-calming ingredients, including glycerin and niacinamide, it works to soothe redness and discomfort, without being too much for reactive skin types.

Upon application, I found it to be quite a thick formula and soon learnt it was better to apply in smaller stages – it doesn’t absorb super quickly and does require some rubbing in – but it is non-greasy and feels comfortable on the skin. I also liked that it doesn’t have any fragrance or alcohol in it, meaning there shouldn’t be any stinging or sensory overload even for the most sensitive of skin types.

Overall, I’m a big fan of this lotion, thanks to the ease of use, the blend of gentle ingredients and, as always, the brand’s commitment to sensitive skin. So, if you’re looking for a product that’ll deliver hydration to sun-parched skin without irritation, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with this one.

Offering more than just a regular shower gel, this product doubles as a cooling body wash and an aftersun refresher. Infused with a blend of lotus blossom and rice milk to soothe sun-drenched skin. It has a tropical, holiday-inspired scent, and I found it really helped to replenish and revive skin.

I liked that it had a gentle foam to it, and enjoyed how it cleansed without stripping skin. It’s both cooling and nourishing, and I didn’t find I needed to use a specific aftersun after using this shower gel. Depending on how parched your skin feels, you may need something else to rehydrate any particularly dry areas.

While this product may sit on the more expensive side of shower gels, Rituals’ products always feel more expensive than they actually are, and this formula smells lovely and does an excellent job of refreshing and cleansing skin.

If you need rapid relief for over-exposed skin, this E45 gel might just be the product you need. It’s formulated with menthol-free emollients and soothing panthenol (vitamin B5), and it effectively cooled down my skin without the telltale sharp sting – I can also recommend keeping it in the fridge for an even more cooling feeling.

It did feel a bit sticky to the touch after application, so if that’s something that bothers you, I recommend layering another moisturiser over it, as that should help any tackiness quickly subside.

It’s worth noting it’s not the most hydrating of formulas, but its main use is to help cool and soothe skin, which it does very well. Plus, the gel is unscented, so if you want a hardworking, no-nonsense, refreshing hit, E45’s gel does deliver on all those levels. Overall, I was impressed with its effective, fast-acting yet gentle approach that works well to alleviate the heat in skin after a day in the sun.

A hardworking aftersun that delivers a radiant, bronze sheen to skin, this gel-cream is packed with clever innovations. Adaptasun helps to boost melanin, global cellular protection helps defend against photo‑ageing, and cellular water aids with lasting hydration, meaning that it works to support both glow and skin health.

The formula glides effortlessly onto skin, providing instant hydration, with a cooling sensation that helps to calm skin. Alongside all of that, it’s blended with shimmering pigments that impart a pearlescent sheen onto skin. One thing I did find was that the shimmer seemed to come from glitter particles, which were quite obvious in some lights, so be aware, especially if you prefer something a little subtler.

I’m also aware that the price may be a barrier for some people, but if you’re happy to splurge on a high-performance product that prolongs your sun-kissed glow while also helping to support overall skin health, this product is a good option.

As innovative as it is hardworking, this foaming aftersun is a seriously fast-acting, fuss-free formula that instantly cools skin. It feels refreshing from the first application, and the lightweight formula glides on smoothly, absorbing in seconds, without leaving any greasy or sticky residue. On first use, I thought it was taking a while to sink into my skin, but it was just the cooling sensation left in its wake.

However, it doesn’t feel particularly nourishing or hydrating, compared with some thicker lotions, but we noticed that it still helped to calm redness and reduce tightness.

The formula itself is fragrance-free, making this a good option for sensitive skin, and while the aerosol foam is fun to use, it’s also really good for quick, even application. It’s a straightforward, highly effective skin-calmer that’s cooling and gentle – the ideal post-sun staple.

A rich, creamy texture that’s formulated with a blend of soothing and hydrating ingredients, including aloe, calendula, glycerin and plant oils, this aftersun helps to soothe skin and lock in moisture without being greasy or taking ages to absorb. However, I have to mention the polarising scent. I’d say it’s reminiscent of an old-style ladies’ perfume. It’s definitely not going to be to everybody’s taste – it put me off, but others may find it wonderfully nostalgic.

That said, the overpowering scent did seem to subside after a while, and the formula itself was definitely both calming and nourishing. It looks expensive, but the generous 400ml bottle makes this a cost-effective option in comparison with some of the other products I tested.