MissLJBeauty

I hadn’t originally packed an aftersun, but after weeks of sightseeing, swimming and walking in the heat, my skin started to feel dry and slightly red across my shoulders. While we were in Verona, I visited a local pharmacy and asked for their best recommendation.

The pharmacist immediately handed me NUXE Sun Refreshing After-Sun Lotion and described it as “transformative”. At around €20, or roughly £22 in the UK, it was more than I would normally spend on an aftersun, but her enthusiasm convinced me to try it.

I used it every evening after showering for the rest of the holiday. It quickly replaced my usual body moisturiser, leaving my skin soft, comfortable and well hydrated without feeling greasy.

What impressed me most was how gradually my tan faded once I returned home. More than a month later, my skin still had a healthy holiday glow.

Quick Take

NUXE Sun Refreshing After-Sun Lotion is one of the best luxury aftersun products I've tried. It deeply hydrates the skin after sun exposure, absorbs surprisingly well for such a rich cream and genuinely helped prolong my tan for weeks after my holiday.

Although it's more expensive than a typical aftersun at around £22, it feels more like a luxury body moisturiser than a basic aftersun. My skin felt soft, nourished and comfortable every evening, without feeling sticky or greasy once it had fully absorbed.

If you're looking for an after-sun lotion that keeps skin hydrated, helps maintain your holiday glow and leaves behind a beautiful Sweet Orange, Tiaré Flower and Vanilla scent, I think this is well worth considering.

Overall rating: 9.5/10

About NUXE

NUXE is a French skincare brand known for combining natural-origin ingredients with luxurious textures and beautiful fragrances. It's probably best recognised for its iconic Huile Prodigieuse Dry Oil, but the NUXE Sun collection has become just as popular with those looking for premium sun care and aftersun products.

What Is NUXE Sun Refreshing After-Sun Lotion?

NUXE Sun Refreshing After-Sun Lotion is a luxury face and body after-sun moisturiser designed to hydrate, nourish and comfort skin after a day in the sun. Rather than acting as a cooling gel, it's a rich cream that helps replenish moisture lost through sun exposure while leaving skin feeling soft, smooth and healthy.

It's designed to help rehydrate dry skin, soothe feelings of tightness and support the skin barrier after long days outdoors. One of its standout claims is that it can also help prolong your tan, making it a popular choice if you want your holiday glow to last as long as possible.

Packaging and First Impressions

The first thing that struck me was how premium the packaging felt. NUXE Sun Refreshing After-Sun Lotion comes in a simple white bottle with bronze detailing that has that classic French pharmacy look. It's elegant without being flashy and immediately feels more luxurious than many supermarket aftersun products.

The 200ml bottle has a sturdy flip-top lid that makes it easy to dispense just the right amount of product without creating a mess. Because the cream is quite rich, you don't need huge amounts at once, so I found it easy to control how much I used.

The first time I used it, the texture caught me by surprise. I'd been expecting a lightweight aftersun gel, but instead it was a rich, creamy lotion. Thankfully, it didn't feel heavy or greasy. It spread easily across my skin, and because a little went such a long way, I quickly realised the bottle was going to last much longer than I'd expected.

I packed it in my suitcase for almost a month of travelling around Croatia and Italy, and I was really impressed that it never leaked once. The lid stayed secure despite being moved between hotels, beach bags and airport transfers, which is always reassuring when you're travelling with skincare. 

Key Ingredients in NUXE Sun Refreshing After-Sun Lotion

NUXE Sun Refreshing After-Sun Lotion feels more like a luxury body moisturiser than a traditional aftersun, thanks to a formula that focuses on hydration and skin comfort rather than simply creating a cooling sensation.

Some of the standout ingredients include glycerin to attract moisture to the skin, sunflower seed oil to nourish and support the skin barrier, antioxidant vitamin E to help care for sun-exposed skin, and Kau Pe Flower Extract, which NUXE says helps soothe the skin while supporting a longer-lasting tan.

NUXE Sun Refreshing After-Sun Lotion Texture and Scent

The texture was probably my biggest surprise. I expected NUXE Sun Refreshing After-Sun Lotion to feel like a lightweight gel, but it's actually a rich, creamy lotion. Don't let that put you off though, because it spreads effortlessly over the skin and a little goes a long way.

Although richer than many supermarket aftersun products, it never felt greasy or sticky on my skin. Once absorbed, my skin felt soft, comfortable and deeply moisturised. I used it after days spent swimming in both the sea and hotel pools, and it helped counteract the drying effects of salt water and chlorine.

The scent is absolutely beautiful and one of my favourite things about using it. It has a luxurious fragrance with notes of Sweet Orange, Tiaré Flower and Vanilla that instantly reminded me of being on holiday. Rather than smelling like a typical coconut aftersun, it has a warm, elegant fragrance that feels much more like high-end French skincare.

The perfume does linger on the skin for a while, which I personally loved because it made applying it every evening feel like part of my holiday routine. If you enjoy luxurious body care with a noticeable fragrance, I think you'll really appreciate it. However, if you prefer fragrance-free skincare or have very sensitive skin, it's worth bearing in mind that the scent is quite noticeable. 

How to Use NUXE Sun Refreshing After-Sun Lotion

I found this worked best when I applied it every evening after showering while we were travelling. After washing off the day's sunscreen, sea salt and sweat, I'd gently towel dry my skin before applying a generous layer over my arms, legs, shoulders and anywhere else that had been exposed to the sun. Because the formula is quite rich, I found a small amount spread surprisingly far, so I didn't need as much product as I expected.

Because the cream is quite rich, I like to give it around 15 to 20 minutes to fully absorb before getting dressed or climbing into bed. It absorbs surprisingly well for such a nourishing formula and, within a few minutes, no longer felt wet on my skin. I personally don't enjoy the feeling of any rich body cream straight under my pyjamas, so giving it a little longer made all the difference. Once it had fully absorbed, I didn't notice it transferring onto my pyjamas or bedding.

It quickly became part of my evening routine after long days outdoors. Applying it before bed gave my skin the hydration it needed, and by the following morning it still felt soft, comfortable and moisturised.

If you're using it after a day in the sun, my biggest tip is not to be too sparing with it. Applying a generous layer to clean, dry skin helped keep my skin hydrated throughout the holiday and, I believe, played a big part in helping my tan last longer once I was back home 

Where NUXE Sun Refreshing After-Sun Lotion Fits in My Skincare Routine

During our month-long trip, NUXE Sun Refreshing After-Sun Lotion completely replaced my usual body moisturiser. Every evening after showering, it was the final step in my body care routine and gave my skin the hydration it needed after spending the day outdoors.

In the mornings, I focused on protecting my skin with sunscreen before heading out. In the evenings, after washing away sunscreen, sea salt and the day's heat, I'd apply a generous layer of the after-sun lotion to my body. It became a simple routine that helped keep my skin feeling comfortable and well moisturised throughout the holiday.

Why Choose NUXE Sun Refreshing After-Sun Lotion Over Other Aftersun Products?

Most aftersun products fall into one of two categories. You either get lightweight aloe vera gels that instantly cool the skin but don't always provide long-lasting hydration, or thick body creams that can leave your skin feeling heavy and greasy.

For me, NUXE Sun Refreshing After-Sun Lotion sits somewhere in the middle.

It has the nourishing feel of a rich body moisturiser, but it absorbs much better than I expected and never left my skin feeling sticky. Instead of simply cooling my skin for a few minutes, it left it feeling comfortable, hydrated and cared for well into the following day.

Compared with body oils, I also found it much easier to apply. It spread evenly over the skin, absorbed without leaving a slippery finish and didn't transfer onto my clothes once it had fully soaked in.

What Skin Concerns Does NUXE Sun Refreshing After-Sun Lotion Help With?

I found NUXE Sun Refreshing After-Sun Lotion worked particularly well on dry, tight and dehydrated skin after long days in the sun. Rather than simply providing a cooling sensation, it restored moisture and left my skin feeling soft, comfortable and healthy. If you're looking for that instant cooling sensation you get from aloe vera gels, this isn't that product. Instead, it focuses on deep hydration and comfort

It also helped maintain a natural-looking glow, preventing my skin from looking dull as my holiday tan gradually faded. While it isn't designed to treat sunburn, it's an excellent choice if your skin needs hydration and nourishment after sun exposure.

My Honest NUXE Sun Refreshing After-Sun Lotion Review

I'll admit, I almost didn't buy this.

Standing in the pharmacy in Verona, €20 felt like a lot to spend on an after-sun lotion when there were plenty of cheaper options sitting on the shelf beside it. If the pharmacist hadn't been so enthusiastic about it, I probably would have walked away with something half the price.

I'm really glad I listened.

From the first application, my skin felt more comfortable after a day in the sun. It wasn't just that immediate feeling of hydration either. When I woke up the next morning, my skin still felt soft and moisturised instead of dry and tight, which often happens to me after spending all day in the sun. 

The biggest surprise, though, came after I got home.

Normally, my holiday tan starts to fade within a couple of weeks, no matter how much body lotion I use. This time was different. I've now been home for well over a month and my tan is still there. It's softer than it was on holiday, of course, but it's faded much more gradually than normal and my skin still looks healthy rather than dull and neglected.

I can't say with certainty that every bit of that is down to this lotion because wearing SPF properly and looking after your skin during a holiday also plays a huge part. However, I do think using NUXE Sun Refreshing After-Sun Lotion every evening helped keep my skin hydrated, which made a noticeable difference to how long my tan lasted and how healthy my skin continued to look.

Would I buy it again?

Yes, without hesitation.

Who Is NUXE Sun Refreshing After-Sun Lotion Best For?

After using this throughout my holiday and continuing to enjoy the results once I got home, I think NUXE Sun Refreshing After-Sun Lotion is best suited to people who want more than a basic aftersun. I'd especially recommend it if you:

• Want to keep your holiday tan looking its best for longer.
• Struggle with dry or dehydrated skin after spending time in the sun.
• Prefer rich, nourishing body care over lightweight cooling gels.
• Love beautifully fragranced French skincare that feels a little more luxurious.
• Want one product that works as both an aftersun and your evening body moisturiser.
• Spend long days outdoors on holiday, whether that's sightseeing, relaxing by the pool or walking along the beach.
• Even in warm evenings, my skin never felt uncomfortably sticky once it had absorbed.

NUXE Sun Refreshing After-Sun Lotion vs Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Cream: Which Should You Choose?

It reminded me of the Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, which I've also reviewed here on Miss LJ Beauty. Both leave skin feeling soft, hydrated and beautifully scented, but I use them for different reasons.

Sol de Janeiro is my everyday body moisturiser, while NUXE is the one I'd pack for a summer holiday. It's designed to care for skin after sun exposure, absorbs well despite its rich texture and fits perfectly into an evening holiday skincare routine.

If I wanted a luxurious body cream for everyday use, I'd choose Sol de Janeiro. But for holidays, NUXE Sun Refreshing After-Sun Lotion would be my first choice.

Which Skin Types Is NUXE Sun Refreshing After-Sun Lotion Best For?

Dry Skin

This is where I think NUXE really shines. If your skin feels dry, tight or dehydrated after a day in the sun, the rich, nourishing formula provides long-lasting hydration without leaving a heavy or greasy finish.

Normal Skin

I think most people with normal skin will enjoy using this as both an aftersun and an evening body moisturiser while on holiday. It keeps skin feeling soft, comfortable and well hydrated after long days outdoors.

Oily Skin

Although this is designed for the body rather than the face, the cream absorbs well and doesn't leave a sticky finish. That said, if you prefer very lightweight skincare, you may find a cooling aftersun gel more suited to your preferences.

Mature Skin

I think this is an excellent choice for mature skin. The extra hydration helped my skin look smoother and healthier, giving it a lovely glow rather than that dry, tired appearance skin can develop after repeated sun exposure.

Sensitive Skin

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Deeply hydrates skin after sun exposure.
• Feels nourishing without being greasy or sticky.
• Absorbs quickly despite its rich texture.
• Doubles as a luxurious evening body moisturiser.
• Beautiful fragrance that lingers on the skin.
• Helped my holiday tan last noticeably longer.
• A little goes a long way, making the bottle last well.

Cons

• More expensive than many high street aftersun products.
• The fragrance won't suit everyone, especially if you prefer fragrance-free skincare.
• Those looking for an instant cooling gel may find the cream texture richer than expected.

Is NUXE Sun Refreshing After-Sun Lotion Worth the Price?

NUXE Sun Refreshing After-Sun Lotion is a premium aftersun, costing around £22 for a 200ml bottle. I paid roughly €20 after it was recommended by a pharmacist in Verona, and while it initially felt expensive, it quickly proved its value.

Using it every evening, one bottle lasted me around three weeks and completely replaced my usual body moisturiser. My skin stayed hydrated throughout the holiday, so I didn't need to pack a separate body cream.

Should You Buy NUXE Sun Refreshing After-Sun Lotion?

I honestly didn't expect an aftersun lotion to become one of my favourite purchases from the trip.

When I picked up NUXE Sun Refreshing After-Sun Lotion in a pharmacy in Verona, I thought I was simply buying something to soothe my skin after long days in the sun. Instead, it became a product I looked forward to using every evening and one that quickly earned a permanent place on my summer packing list.

What impressed me most was how consistently it performed. It kept my skin hydrated after long days in the sun, felt luxurious to use and helped maintain my holiday tan long after I returned home. For me, that's what makes it worth paying more than a standard aftersun.

While it's certainly a premium purchase, I came away feeling I'd spent my money well. I'd rather invest in one product I genuinely enjoy using than buy something cheaper that I forget about as soon as I get home. If I were packing for another summer holiday tomorrow, this would definitely be coming with me.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is NUXE Sun Refreshing After-Sun Lotion greasy?

No. Although the cream feels rich when you first apply it, it absorbs beautifully and doesn't leave my skin feeling greasy or sticky. I found it comfortable enough to use every evening after showering.

Does NUXE Sun Refreshing After-Sun Lotion help prolong your tan?

In my experience, yes. This was one of the biggest differences I noticed. My tan faded much more gradually than it usually does. Keeping your skin well hydrated can help maintain the appearance of a tan, and this lotion became part of my daily after-sun routine throughout my holiday.

Can you use NUXE Sun Refreshing After-Sun Lotion on your face?

Yes. It's suitable for both the face and body. Personally, I chose to use it mainly on my body because I already have a dedicated facial skincare routine, but it's nice to have the option if you're travelling and want to pack fewer products.

Can you use NUXE Sun Refreshing After-Sun Lotion every day?

Yes. I used it every evening for around three weeks while travelling through Croatia and Italy. It replaced my usual body moisturiser and kept my skin feeling soft and hydrated throughout the trip.

Can you use NUXE Sun Refreshing After-Sun Lotion with fake tan?

Yes. Although it's designed for use after sun exposure, a hydrating body lotion like this can also help maintain fake tan by keeping your skin moisturised and reducing dryness. I didn't test it with fake tan myself, but its nourishing formula makes it a good option for keeping skin in condition.

Can you use NUXE Sun Refreshing After-Sun Lotion instead of body moisturiser?

Absolutely. That's exactly how I used it. Rather than packing a separate body lotion, I used NUXE every evening after showering, and it kept my skin moisturised enough that I didn't feel I needed anything else.

Does NUXE Sun Refreshing After-Sun Lotion soothe sunburn?

It's designed to comfort and hydrate skin after sun exposure rather than treat severe sunburn. If your skin is badly burnt, it's important to cool the area, stay hydrated and seek medical advice if your symptoms are severe or don't improve.

What does NUXE Sun Refreshing After-Sun Lotion smell like?

It has a warm, summery fragrance with notes of Sweet Orange, Tiaré Flower and Vanilla. I found it elegant and luxurious rather than smelling like a traditional coconut aftersun.

Does NUXE Sun Refreshing After-Sun Lotion smell like coconut?

Not really. While it has a tropical feel, the fragrance is much more sophisticated than a classic coconut aftersun, with floral and vanilla notes that make it feel like a luxury skincare product.

Can you use NUXE Sun Refreshing After-Sun Lotion after shaving?

Yes. I really enjoyed using it after shaving because it left my skin feeling soft, smooth and well moisturised without any discomfort.

Is NUXE Sun Refreshing After-Sun Lotion suitable for sensitive skin?

It felt soothing on my skin, but it is fragranced. If you have very sensitive skin or usually avoid scented body care, you may prefer a fragrance-free alternative.

How long does a bottle of NUXE Sun Refreshing After-Sun Lotion last?

Using it every evening as my full-body moisturiser while travelling, one 200ml bottle lasted me around three weeks. If you're only applying it to areas exposed to the sun, you'll probably get even longer from a bottle.

Is NUXE Sun Refreshing After-Sun Lotion worth the money?

If you're looking for a premium aftersun that doubles as a luxurious body moisturiser, I think it's well worth the investment. It's more expensive than many alternatives, but the quality of the formula, how enjoyable it was to use and my overall experience justified the price for me.

About the Author

Hi, I'm Laura, the creator of Miss LJ Beauty. With over 15 years of beauty blogging and professional beauty qualifications, I share honest, experience-led reviews to help you spend your money wisely.