After-sun lotions moisturize and soothe the skin after exposure to the sun. Rich in emollients, oils, and calming plant extracts such as aloe vera, after-sun lotions help replenish moisture and encourage skin’s natural repair.
After-sun lotions are not always vegan. After-sun lotions often contain honey and beeswax for their soothing and emollient properties. Glycerin, which is the base for almost all after-sun lotions, may also be derived from animal fats.
We have listed the best vegan after-sun products in 2024. Discover the best vegan after-sun lotions, creams, and gels to recover your skin after sunburn.
Best Vegan After-Sun Lotions
These after-sun lotions are all vegan and cruelty-free:
- Sun Bum Cool Down After Sun Lotion
- Coola Radical Recovery After Sun Lotion
- Australian Gold After Sun Moisturizer
- Aromatica Organic Aloe Vera Gel
- Dune The Lifeguard Aloe Gel
- First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
1. Sun Bum Cool Down After Sun Lotion
Sun Bum Cool Down Lotion is the best vegan after-sun lotion. It deeply moisturizes and calms sunburnt skin without being greasy. It’s plant-based and vitamin-rich. The lotion is made with aloe vera, jojoba oil, and cocoa butter to properly nourish and hydrate the skin.
We’ve noticed that if you use the lotion right after sun exposure, it really helps to prevent peeling and stops the dryness from UV exposure. The lotion also smells great and it’s affordable, so don’t hold back and apply it generously on your skin.
- What we like: moisturizes and soothes, non-greasy
- What we don’t like: contains fragrance
Key ingredients: aloe vera, jojoba seed oil, cocoa butter, vitamin E | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, dermatologist-tested, paraben-free, gluten-free | Average rating: 4.7/5 | Price: $13.49 (8 oz)
2. Coola Radical Recovery After Sun Lotion
Coola Radical Recovery is the best organic vegan after-sun lotion. Over 70% of the ingredients are certified organic including aloe vera, agave, and lavender oil. Compared to Sun Bum, this lotion is definitely richer and oilier, so it’s great for dry skin and severe sun damage.
- What we like: organic, rich formula, soothing scent
- What we don’t like: it’s quite expensive
Key ingredients: aloe vera, agave, rosemary extract, lavender, sunflower, sweet orange oils | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, natural, clean, EcoCert certified organic, paraben-free, phthalate-free, synthetic fragrance-free | Average rating: 4.7/5 | Price: $32 (5 oz)
3. Australian Gold After Sun Moisturizer
Australian Gold also offers an amazing vegan after-sun moisturizer. In addition to aloe, it uses hemp seed oil – one of the best skin-replenishing oils that is packed with fatty acids and vitamins. The lotion is so nice and soothing, it absorbs fast and has a lovely fresh scent.
- What we like: lightweight yet nourishing
- What we don’t like: contains parabens
Key ingredients: hemp seed oil, aloe vera, safflower seed oil, tea tree leaf oil| Features: vegan, cruelty-free, PABA-free, alcohol-free, dye-free | Average rating: 4.6/5 | Price: $12.99 (16 oz)
4. Aromatica Organic Aloe Vera Gel
With sunburnt skin, you might want to just opt for a tested and true classic – aloe gel. Korean brand Aromatica has the best vegan aloe vera gel. It’s organic and certified vegan by The Vegan Society. It’s lightweight, cooling, and effectively calms and hydrates UV-damaged skin.
- What we like: organic, cooling, calming
- What we don’t like: strong aloe scent
Key ingredients: aloe vera, rosemary extract, hinoki oil| Features: vegan, cruelty-free, organic, EWG-verified, paraben-free, sulfate-free, silicone-free, synthetic fragrance-free | Average rating: 4.5/5 | Price: $15 (10.14 oz)
Shop on: Amazon, Peach & Lily
5. Dune The Lifeguard Aloe Gel
The Lifeguard is another superb vegan after-sun moisturizer. It has an aloe gel base which is packed with natural extracts from hibiscus fruit to seabuckthorn, blackberry, cranberry, apple, avocado oil, and many more. It’s an antioxidant super-shot for sunburnt skin.
- What we like: rich in antioxidants, lightweight formula
- What we don’t like: it’s a lotion marketed as a gel
Key ingredients: aloe vera, hibiscus fruit, neem leaf & flower, vitamin E, seabuckthorn, ginger, knotgrass, blackberry, cranberry, apple, avocado oil | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, non-GMO, dermatologist-tested | Average rating: 4.1/5 | Price: $22.95 (8.4 oz)
7. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
Ultra Repair Cream is a multifunctional vegan moisturizer we love to recommend for sunburns. Rich in oatmeal and shea butter, it fights redness and irritation and helps repair the broken skin barrier. Gentle and free of synthetic additives, it’s the best vegan after-sun lotion for the face.
- What we like: very calming moisturizing, safe for the face
- What we don’t like: full-sized version is quite expensive
Key ingredients: colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, allantoin | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, petroleum-free, dermatologist-tested, synthetic fragrance-free, nut-free, soy-free, gluten-free | Average rating: 4.6/5 | Price: $18 (2 oz)
Shop on: Amazon, Sephora, Ulta
Main image: courtesy of Sun Bum
