You ever come home from a “just a quick walk” or “we’ll sit in the shade” moment… and suddenly your skin is radiating heat like a toaster? Yeah. Been there. When the damage is done and your skin’s crying for help, E45 Sensitive After Sun Gel is one of those products that promises to quietly shows up and do what it’s supposed to do. Let’s get into whether it’s actually worth reaching for.
Key Ingredients in E45 Sensitive After Sun Gel: What Makes It Work?
GLYCERIN
Glycerin doesn’t look exciting on a label, but your skin lives for it. It grabs water from the air (or deeper in your skin) and holds onto it like its life depends on it. After a sunburn, your skin’s basically bone dry and freaking out. Glycerin helps pull water back in, so it stops feeling tight and flaky.
What makes it legit? Science. It’s one of the most studied ingredients out there, and it actually helps your skin heal, not just feel nice for 5 minutes. It strengthens your skin barrier and keeps hydration locked in, which is exactly what your skin needs when it’s been cooked a little too long in the sun.
PANTHENOL
Panthenol’s like skin first aid. It turns into vitamin B5 once it hits your skin, and then it goes to work calming everything down. Redness? It helps. Burning? Eases it. That weird itchy tightness you get after too much sun? Yeah, it helps with that too.
It also helps your skin heal faster – like, proper studies show it boosts repair and locks in hydration so your skin stops throwing a tantrum. And it does it all without being greasy or irritating. Just quiet, dependable, “I’ve got you” energy.
Related: Is Panthenol The Most Underrated Ingredient For Sensitive Skin?
The Rest Of The Formula & Ingredients
NOTE: The colours indicate the effectiveness of an ingredient. It is ILLEGAL to put toxic and harmful ingredients in skincare products.
- Green: It’s effective, proven to work, and helps the product do the best possible job for your skin.
- Yellow: There’s not much proof it works (at least, yet).
- Red: What is this doing here?!
This formula is super stripped back – in the best way. No alcohol (bless), no fragrance (so it won’t sting), and none of that sticky, tacky nonsense some after-suns leave behind. It’s made for sensitive skin, and it shows. Everything in here is there for a reason, and none of it is going to start a fight with your face. Here’s what’s inside:
- Aqua (Water): The base of the formula. Everything else is mixed into it so the gel can actually, you know, spread on your skin.
- Pentylene Glycol: A humectant and a mild preservative. It helps hydrate your skin and keeps the product from going funky.
- Methyl Gluceth-10: A gentle, water-soluble emollient. Basically makes your skin feel soft and smooth without being greasy.
- Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer: A texture ingredient. It thickens the gel and keeps it from feeling watery or runny.
- Sodium Gluconate: Helps stop the formula from breaking down over time by keeping the pH stable. Also has some antioxidant benefits.
- Sodium Hydroxide: Used to balance the pH so it’s not too acidic or alkaline-just skin-friendly and safe.
Texture
Lightweight gel. No slime, no oiliness, no “I feel like I just wrapped myself in cling film.” It spreads easily, sinks in fast, and doesn’t leave that weird shiny layer that makes you feel like you can’t sit on your own couch. You can do a light layer or pile it on thick if your skin’s feeling spicy. Either way, it dries down clean.
Fragrance
None. And thank god for that. When your skin’s already annoyed, the last thing you want is fake mango or “beach breeze” vibes burning your nostrils. E45 kept it simple. It smells like… nothing. Exactly how it should.
How to Use It
Slather it on after being in the sun – especially if you’re feeling tight, dry, or vaguely crispy. For bonus points, stick it in the fridge beforehand. Cold gel on hot skin? Elite. Reapply whenever your skin starts whining again. No rules, just soothe.
Packaging
Simple squeeze tube with a flip-top lid. No leaking, no mess, no stupid fancy pump that breaks after two uses. Chuck it in your bag, take it on holiday, forget about it until you really need it.
Performance & Personal Opinion
This stuff does what it says. You put it on, and within minutes your skin feels less angry. It cools things down, hydrates just enough, and doesn’t leave you feeling greasy or sticky. I’ve used it on sunburns, heat rash, post-shave flare-ups, even bug bites. It always comes through.
I’ll admit though: I wish it had a higher concentration of panthenol or another soothing ingredient – just to make it more effective on very dry skin. If that’s what you’re experiencing, you still need to layer a heavier moisturiser on top. Still, it does the job. If your skin’s having a meltdown, this is like handing it a glass of water and telling it to breathe.
What I Like About E45 Sensitive After Sun Gel
- Doesn’t sting (even on sunburn)
- No scent = no irritation
- Not sticky or greasy
- Actually calms your skin down
- Cheap and easy to find
- Works for the whole fam – no “for men/women/aliens” branding
What I Don’t Like About E45 Sensitive After Sun Gel
- Not enough on its own if your skin’s bone dry. You might want to follow up with a richer moisturiser
- Not going to do any fancy skin-repair magic, it’s strictly “calm things down” vibes
Who Should Use It?
- If your skin gets red, itchy, or sensitive after sun exposure, this is for you.
- If you hate strong scents and sticky formulas, this is for you.
- If you want something that just works and doesn’t cost more than lunch, this is for you.
Does E45 Sensitive After Sun Gel Live Up To Its Claims?
| CLAIM | TRUE? |
|---|---|
| Hydrating after sun gel that instantly cools dry, sensitive skin. Also suitable for eczema-prone skin. | True. |
| Our formulation is gentle enough for the whole family to use and contains vitamin B5 to help the skin retain moisture and reduce inflammation. | True. |
| Non-sticky and fast-absorbing texture. | True. |
| Instantly cools and calms the skin in 60 seconds. | Partly true. It’s true it provides a cooling sensation and starts calming skin down in a minute. It takes longer to calm down skin completely. |
Price & Availability
£12.99 at Amazon and Boots
Verdict: Should You Buy It?
If your skin tends to freak out after a day in the sun, yes. 100%. Keep it in your cabinet for those “I messed up” moments. It’s gentle, affordable, and actually helps. And sometimes, that’s all you really need.
Aqua, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Methyl Gluceth-10, Panthenol, Acrylates/ C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Hydroxide
About Gio
Hi, I’m Gio. I’m a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever – every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what’s worth the splurge and what’s best left on the shelf – using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.
