Sunburns be Gone!

Sunburns in the summer are inevitable, especially when you’re having a good time. Sometimes, you don’t even realize you’re burning until someone points it out; then, all of a sudden, you feel the pain. It never fails; you either used a sunscreen with a low SPF, forgot to reapply, or just forgot to apply sunscreen at all. Luckily, there are tons of ways to remedy your sunburn with products––some already in your home––that will help you recover from a sunburn quickly. Keep in mind that you will want to use home remedies more than products with tons of chemicals in them, as your skin is extremely sensitive when it becomes sunburned.

Raw apple cider vinegar is known as a cure-all, so it comes as no surprise that it can help a sunburn. The vinegar helps to cool the skin, drawing out the heat and sting of your sunburn.

Make sure you dilute the vinegar with water before using it directly on your skin. If you don’t, the high acidity could cause a burning sensation, which is obviously the last thing you’d want on a sunburn. Use either a spray bottle full of water and apple cider vinegar or take a cold bath with a few capfuls of the vinegar. You should always have a higher ratio of water to vinegar. 

Cold compresses seem kind of obvious, but they are worth mentioning. Since your skin is inflamed, you need to cool it down. You may notice how hot your skin is after a sunburn, so with a washcloth, run it under cold water and apply to your skin. However, do not use ice on your sunburn. This may seem like an easy and quick solution, but this could actually slow down the process of healing. Putting ice directly on your burn can lead to frostbite, therefore further damaging your skin. So definitely skip the ice and stick with cold water. If you want a quick relief, try taking a cold bath or shower.

Aloe vera is too obvious for sunburn relief. We all know the sarcastic phrase, "Need some aloe vera for that burn?" If you don’t stock up on aloe vera when the summer begins, what are you doing? Aloe vera helps soothe and it's an antibacterial. Mario Badescu’s After Sun Cooling Gel is a great product to use for your sunburn. This gel contains not only aloe vera but menthol, which can help bring the sting out of the burn. Also, aim for lotions (without petroleum or oils) that contain aloe vera, as it’s important to keep your skin moisturized while your skin is healing. Using products with petroleum or any kind of oil on your brand-new sunburn will trap the heat in, which is the exact opposite of what you want.

If you want to stick to the 100% natural route, plant yourself an actual aloe vera plant. You can snip off leaves as you need them. You can even squeeze the gel into ice cube trays, freeze them, and use them whenever needed. The pure gel is more beneficial than the prepackaged gel. However, since it’s in its purest form, it can be a little smelly, as aloe vera is part of the onion family. 

Essential oils are incredible when it comes to soothing sunburns. For essential oils that require carrier oils, you'll want to use these with caution. Carrier oils, like coconut oil, can also trap in heat, making the symptoms worse. So, you'll want to cool the skin off first before using any essential oils that require a carrier oil. If you want to avoid using oils, you can use aloe vera as a carrier to avoid any burning sensations.

The first oil to use is lavender oil. This coveted essential oil has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. You can add about 20 drops to your cold bath or dab it directly on your skin. Unlike most oils, lavender oil can be used without a carrier oil. 

Geranium oil is often used for many dermatological issues, including acne, eczema, and inflammation. It can also help speed up the healing process of your skin. 

Peppermint essential oil can help your skin cool, but because it’s so powerful, you will want to apply with a carrier. Tea tree essential oil also falls in the same category and doubles as an antibacterial. 

Staying moisturized is important when it comes to sunburns. As much fun as peeling off your dead skin is, you'll want to keep your skin moist. Then, when in the shower, exfoliate to evenly get rid of damaged skin. Continue to keep your skin moisturized while your burn is healing and peeling. You're prone to dry skin when it comes to sunburns.

There are several foods that can help your sunburn. You can make a cold compress with a cup of dry oatmeal, a cheesecloth/gauze, and cold water. Simply, wrap the oatmeal in the cloth, then run it under cool water. You’ll want to apply this every couple of hours. Oatmeal is an old-fashioned remedy, often used for irritated skin.

Using yogurt or milk on your skin can help to cool the skin, as the fat, proteins, and pH in milk are anti-inflammatories. The yogurt can be used in its natural form like you would apply lotion or a mask. The milk can be applied through a compress, just like a cold water compress. 

Surprisingly, lettuce leaves contain a natural pain-killing property. To properly use them on your skin, boil the leaves in water, strain them, then let your concoction chill in the fridge for a few hours. Apply it by dipping a cotton ball in the liquid to the affected areas.

For Related Articles, Try:

Top 6 Sun Protection Products for Your Face

How to Avoid and Reverse Sun Damage

Summer Sunscreen and You