diy: sun relief spray

Summer means a lot of sunshine and even when careful, sometimes we get a bit too much sun. I am super careful about the sun - I spend a lot of time outside with the kids, in the garden, at the community garden, and at the CSA picking during the summer. I am also taking medication for my RA which makes me photosensitive, so I can burn easily. Aaaand there is the whole hot flashes business. So needless to say I find myself sometimes feeling like my skin is just on fire, even when we are careful about when and where and how much sun we get. This offers a cool refreshing immediate feeling of relief. I carry it in the cooler sometimes when I know we will be out for awhile, and I always have a bottle in the door of my fridge.

This spray combines several gentle ingredients that have properties which can help reduce inflammation, soothe the skin, and promote healing.
 
Supplies:
One 4 oz. glass spray bottle or two 2 oz. bottles
3 oz. distilled water
2 tsp. organic apple cider vinegar
3 Tbsp. fresh aloe vera gel (use a plant or a good quality gel, not the neon green fragrance added goo from the pharmacy)
20-25 drops of lavender essential oil
 
First, remove the gel from your aloe. Aloe is such a great plant everyone should have one at home! Simply remove one or two stems (depending on how large they are). On a cutting board make a slice down the entire length of one side and peel the stem open into one flat piece. Using a butter knife, gently scrape down along the stem from end to end, removing the liquid material, leaving the green outer shell. Once you have 3 Tbsp. of fresh gel, break up any thicker bits using the back of a fork, and then put all of your aloe in the spray bottle.
 
Next, add the distilled water and apple cider vinegar, close the lid, and shake well for a minute. Finally, add your essential oils, screw on the top again, and shake well one last time.
 
Clearly label your bottle and store in a refrigerator. This should keep in the refrigerator for at least a month. Shake well before using. Don’t spray directly on your face, spray onto your hands first and then apply to your cheeks/forehead/nose. When I feel like I'm burning up I often spray the mist into the air and walk into it, or spray my chest/neck. 
 

A chilly refreshing healing spray feels SO good on hot skin. While it is best to not get burned, sometimes in the summer we get a little too much sun or just feel overheated (not to mention hormonal overheated) and this refreshing herbal spray can help provide quick relief.


Optional :: Try reducing the distilled water to  2.5 ounces, and adding .5 ounces of a good quality organic witch hazel in the recipe.  I prefer alcohol-free spray, but the really good quality witch hazel can give additional relief for those times you have too much sun.