A cooling water-based gel, often with aloe, used after sun exposure to soothe and moisturise.
Cool and slippery, drying quickly to a fresh, non-sticky finish.
After-sun gel, Aloe body gel, Cooling spray gel, Post-shave or post-wax gel
What it is
An after-sun gel is a light, clear or translucent gel, often made with aloe, that cools and hydrates skin after a day outdoors. It spreads easily over large areas and dries without stickiness.
Sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate (at pH 5.5 or below), or phenoxyethanol
Benefits and challenges
Benefits
Clear, cooling sensory benefit.
Large packs suit body use.
Dries quickly without stickiness.
Challenges
Aloe juice can carry microbes and vary by batch.
Carbomer gels thin with UV, salts and botanicals.
Little emollience for very dry skin.
Shelf life
Unopened
24–36 months01236 months
After opening
6–12 months01224 months
Main risks are viscosity loss, colour change of aloe and microbial growth.
Packaging
TubePump bottleSqueeze bottleSpray bottle
In the lab
How it is made
01Hydrate the gelling agentIn water or aloe juice.
02Add soothing ingredientsHumectants, actives and preservative.
03Solubilise cooling agentsPre-mix menthol and fragrance with solubiliser.
04Neutralise and de-aerateBuild viscosity, then remove air under vacuum.
cold fill · 25 °CLarge packs suit piston or liquid fillers, and transfer avoids drawing air into clear gels.
Specifications
pH
pH 5–72 acid7 neutral10 alkaline
Viscosity at rest
3,000–30,000 mPa·swaterlotioncreambutterpaste
Batch sizes
50 L pilot1,000 L5,000 L production
Lab notes
Preservation
Required, as aloe and botanicals raise the challenge. Challenge test to ISO 11930.
Stability testing
Storage at 40–45 °C, light exposure, colour and viscosity tracking, and freeze–thaw.
Regulatory, Australia
Cosmetic for soothing and moisturising claims; claims about sunburn or burns make it a therapeutic good. With SPF 4–15, a pack of 300 mL or less and no water-resistance claim, it can stay cosmetic but must meet AS/NZS 2604:2021.
