Homemade Cocoa Butter Sunburn Soothing Balm

This cocoa butter sunburn balm is the secret to soothing sun-drenched skin that's dry and itchy. Learn how to create your own hydrating cocoa butter formula that's a must-have to prevent peeling in parched skin.

Do you remember the worst sunburn you ever got? Junior year of high school, I was dead set on getting a sunkissed glow for prom. So I laid on the patio for hours with a little kitchen timer that would ding whenever it was time to turn over.

Needless to say, I suffered through prom itching, scratching, and leaving a cloud of white flakes in my wake.

While I try to avoid the burns altogether, I slip up every now and then and forget sunscreen or get a little more sun than I’d like. Thanks to cocoa butter, aloe vera, and vitamin E, this balm is a must for dehydrated skin.

Jump to:

• Is Cocoa Butter Good for Sunburn?
• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Substitutions
• Variation: Cocoa Butter Lotion
• How To Use Cocoa Butter for Sunburns
• References

Is Cocoa Butter Good for Sunburn?

Sunburned skin requires a little more TLC than some other skin conditions, and cocoa butter is one of the best rejuvenating moisturizers to protect skin from the elements and nourish damaged skin cells.

In addition to soothing inflammation, cocoa butter is an awesome multitasker. Here are just a few reasons to try this cocoa butter sunburn butter (that's a mouthful!):

An antioxidant powerhouse

The sun causes free radicals to form in the body, but cocoa butter is high in antioxidants, which help fight off free radical damage and keep skin looking young and healthy. Cocoa butter is also anti-inflammatory, which helps soothe the burn and makes skin heal faster [source].

A scar reducer

Regular use of cocoa butter is said to help keep stretch marks and scars at bay and reduce the look of scars that have already cropped up. This is one of the most beloved benefits of cocoa butter!

A deep moisturizer

Because cocoa butter is chock full of essential fatty acids, it hydrates the skin deeply and locks in moisture, so the skin stays soft and supple. It also contains oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids [source], which nourish the skin and strengthen the protective skin barrier.

A sensitive-skin soother

While some claims are purely anecdotal, a lot of people swear by cocoa butter for helping clear up skin irritations such as eczema and dermatitis.

Ingredients

In addition to cocoa butter, this after-sun balm is packed full of rich skin-healing ingredients that nourish overexposed skin and help heal burns.

Beeswax gives your balm a firmer texture so it's temperature-stable and won't melt in the heat.

Sunburn soothers: It’s loaded with more traditional sunburn remedies like aloe vera and raw honey, as well as vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps fight free radicals and repair cellular damage caused by too much sun [source].

Essential oils: Essential oils are excellent natural healers to soothe sunburned skin. While you can use whatever oils you like, some of my faves include:

• Sweet orange – Another antioxidant powerhouse, sweet orange essential oil has anticancer effects while protecting skin against sun damage and bacterial growth. Its scent also improves mood and reduces anxiety [source]. 
• Ylang ylang– A soothing essential oil, ylang ylang is another free radical scavenger that helps soothe a variety of skin conditions such as rashes, sunburn, and psoriasis. It also has some anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties [source] and has been used in cleansers. 
• Geranium – Geranium oil has components with anesthetic-like properties [source] that may help relieve the pain associated with sunburn. It is also antibacterial [source] and anti-inflammatory [source]. 

Equipment

• Double boiler (or a heat-safe bowl over a pot of simmering water)
• Mixing spoon or whisk
• Container for storing the balm (like a clean, small jar or tin)

Instructions

Substitutions

To customize your cocoa butter after-sun balm, you can adjust the ingredients based on your skin's needs. Experiment with small batches to help you find your perfect blend.

1. Add Different Oils

• Jojoba Oil: Mimics the skin's natural oils, making it a great moisturizer without being too greasy.
• Argan Oil: Rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids, argan oil is excellent for nourishing and revitalizing the skin.
• Sweet Almond Oil: Great for improving complexion and skin tone, it’s also mildly hypoallergenic.

2. Use Different Butters

• Shea Butter: Besides cocoa butter, shea butter is highly moisturizing and rich in vitamins A and E. It can help provide a thinner consistency and additional nourishing properties.
• Mango Butter: Known for its soft texture and moisturizing capabilities, mango butter is a good alternative to cocoa butter for a lighter feel.

3. Use Different Essential Oils

• Chamomile Oil: Excellent for calming irritated skin and reducing inflammation. It's particularly good for sensitive skin.
• Tea Tree Oil: Has antiseptic properties, making it a good choice if you're prone to breakouts or have damaged skin.
• Peppermint Oil: Offers a cooling sensation and can provide relief from sunburn pain.

4. Add Herbal Infusions

• Calendula: Known for its soothing and healing properties, calendula can be infused into the oils before mixing them into the balm.
• Lavender: Also soothing and anti-inflammatory, adding a lavender infusion can help enhance the balm’s skin-calming effects.

5. Include Skin Soothers

• Zinc Oxide: For a balm with a physical sunscreen effect, add non-nano zinc oxide. This will add a protective layer against the sun, though it should be thoroughly mixed to avoid clumping.
• Menthol Crystals: Adding a small amount of menthol crystals can provide a cooling effect that is soothing on sunburned skin. Ensure they are fully dissolved in the oil phase.

Variation: Cocoa Butter Lotion

This cocoa butter lotion for sunburn relief combines the moisturizing benefits of cocoa butter with other soothing ingredients, but leaves out the beeswax for a more spreadable consistency.

Note: The softer consistency means it's more likely to melt in high temps.

Ingredients

• ½ cup cocoa butter
• ¼ cup coconut oil
• ¼ cup aloe vera gel
• 1 tablespoon vitamin E oil

Instructions

1. Melt the Cocoa Butter and Coconut Oil: Place the cocoa butter and coconut oil in the top of your double boiler or a heat-safe bowl. Heat them over medium-low heat until they are completely melted and combined. Stir occasionally to ensure they melt evenly.
2. Cool the Mixture: Remove the bowl from heat and let the mixture cool slightly. This is important to prevent the heat from damaging the beneficial properties of the other ingredients.
3. Add Aloe Vera and Vitamin E Oil: Stir in the aloe vera gel and vitamin E oil into the slightly cooled mixture. Make sure everything is well combined. If you want to add essential oils, this is the time to do it. A few drops will be enough to add fragrance and additional soothing properties.
4. Whip the Mixture (Optional): For a lighter, fluffier texture, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to whip the lotion until it becomes creamy and light.
5. Pour into Container: Once everything is thoroughly mixed, pour the mixture into your container.
6. Store Properly: Keep your after-sun balm in a cool, dry place. If it's very warm where you live, you might want to store it in the refrigerator to keep it solid and cool, which can be extra soothing on sunburned skin.

How To Use Cocoa Butter for Sunburns

Wait Until the Initial Heat Subsides: Because cocoa butter is so good at forming a barrier on the skin that locks in moisture you don't want to immediately start putting it on inflamed skin. This is normally a good thing for dry skin, but you don't want to trap the heat and make your sunburn worse.

So cool your sunburn in a milk bath or with a soothing sunburn spray, and after the initial heat subsides, start slathering yourself in cocoa butter to moisturize and heal your recovering skin.

Be Generous But Gentle: Apply the after-sun butter generously to sunburned or dry skin and let the oils absorb and heal your skin from the outside in. Just avoid rubbing or applying too much pressure.

Prevent Peeling: As the sunburn heals, keeping the skin moisturized is important to avoid peeling. Reapply often, especially after bathing or whenever your skin feels dry or itchy. Keeping the skin soft and promoting elasticity helps reduce the likelihood of peeling.

References

This post was medically reviewed by Dr. Rina Mary Allawh, M.D., a dermatologist who practices adult and pediatric medical dermatology, skin cancer treatment, and cosmetic dermatology. Learn more about Hello Glow’s medical reviewers here. As always, this is not personal medical advice, and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.

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