Days at the beach or pool. Nights with the windows open. Birds chirping their morning songs. But just like a rose, Summer also has its thorns. One of those thorns is sunburns. Thankfully, there are many remedies to help ease your pain. I’m going to go over some simple sunburn remedies that are easily found in your local grocery store.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is known to treat many different skin issues. One of its benefits is that helps with sunburns. Not only is baking soda very soothing on the sunburned skin, but it will also relieve the itchiness that sunburns can give you. Fill your bathtub with cold water and one cup of baking soda. Give yourself around 15 minutes to soak in this “baking soda bath,” and allow yourself to air dry once you get out. Continue to take these baths daily until your sunburns go away.
Another way to use baking soda on sunburns is to make a paste. To do this, mix four tablespoons of baking soda with enough water that it makes a paste. Apply a small amount on a cotton ball, and use the cotton ball to apply the paste on your sunburns. After ten minutes of leaving the paste on, wash it off with tepid water. Continue to use this remedy once or twice a day until you see an improvement on your skin.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is another great ingredient that can be applied to your sunburns. It will help soothe your skin so that you don’t have as much pain, as well as heal your skin. To apply this to your skin, you will need to extract the gel from the aloe vera leaf. If you don’t have an aloe vera plant, you can buy aloe vera gel at the store. Allow the gel to sit in the refrigerator for half an hour. Give it time to dry on its own, so that your skin can absorb its healing properties. Continue to do this six times a day for several days, or until you see improvement.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a great sunburn treatment. It has soothing properties, which can help the skin retain its natural moisture. It can also help reduce irritation that sunburns can bring. Similar to the baking soda sunburn remedy, you will want to fill your bathtub with cold water and one cup of oatmeal.
Soak in the water for 30 minutes. Allow yourself to air dry once you get out of the water, and avoid rubbing your skin with a towel. Continue to take these baths until your sunburn goes away.
Another great way to use oatmeal on sunburns is to cook the oatmeal with enough water until it has a liquid form. Leave it to cool, and then apply it on your sunburns. Avoid rubbing the oatmeal on your skin, since rubbing can cause more irritation. Leave it on your skin for 30 minutes, and then rinse it off with cold water. Continue to use this sunburn remedy until your sunburns are gone.
Honey
Honey is known to treat many health issues, including acne and allergies. Another benefit from honey is that it also treats sunburns. It helps trap moisture in the skin, which is essential for treating sunburns.
Honey will decrease inflammation and swelling that comes from sunburns. To apply, place a thin layer of natural honey on your sunburn, and give it time to dry on its own. Apply it to your skin two to three times a day for one week.
Besides applying it to your skin, you can also eat three tablespoons of honey a day to boost your immune system. Eating honey will help you heal faster. Even once your sunburn is gone, you can continue to eat honey on a regular basis so that you can enjoy a healthy life and glowing skin.
Essential Oils for Sunburn
There are many essential oils for sunburn relief that you may benefit from. Peppermint oil and lavender oil are common essential oils that can be used on sunburns. Peppermint oil, which is a natural painkiller, helps soothe sunburned skin by providing a cool feeling. Lavender oil reduces the sting of burns and reduces redness. Because it contains antimicrobial properties, this essential oil will help you heal faster. Other oils to try are sandalwood essential oil, frankincense essential oil, and eucalyptus essential oil.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil contains a large amount of skin-nourishing fatty acids, which will reduce the symptoms of sunburn. It also contains vitamin E, which is an antioxidant. This means that it will help decrease inflammation. Coconut is very light and is therefore quickly absorbed into the skin. To apply, slightly warm extra-virgin coconut oil in the microwave. After you warm it, gently massage some onto your sunburned skin. Continue to use this home remedy three times a day for several days, or until skin is healed.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a very healthy superfood and can be used for more things than cooking. Because it has anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric is great for treating sunburns. To make, you will need to mix two tablespoons of turmeric and some water together until it makes a paste. Apply the paste over your sunburn, and leave it there for ten minutes. Gently rinse it off with cold water once ten minutes have gone by. Use this remedy once a day until your sunburn is gone. Turmeric can also be used for a severe sunburn or sunburn blisters.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is another wonderful remedy for sunburns. It helps soothe the pain that comes from sunburns, and it can help you heal faster. The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar can also help reduce itching and inflammation.
To make this home remedy for sunburns, add one cup of apple cider vinegar to a bathtub filled with lukewarm water. Soak in the bath for around 30 minutes. Continue to do this once a day until your sunburn is cured.
Another way to use apple cider vinegar for sunburn relief is to mix equal amounts of apple cider vinegar with cold water. Soak paper towels in the mixture, and place them on your sunburn. Allow them to stay on your skin until the towels are dry. Use this remedy several times a day for a few days, or until you are healed.
Potatoes
Raw potatoes are great for relieving you from a sunburn. To make, peel two large potatoes and slice them into small pieces. Put them in a blender so that it becomes a paste. Place the paste on your sunburn, and allow it to dry on its own. Once it has dried, take a cool shower so that it washes off. Continue to apply it once a day for a few days.
Cucumbers
Cucumbers contain antioxidants and analgesic properties, which can help heal inflammation and soothe the pain. It also keeps your skin moisturized. To make a home remedy using cucumbers, you will need to mash one chilled cucumber and apply it to your sunburn. This remedy can be used as often as you’d like. You can also juice a few cucumbers and store it in a spray bottle. With this home remedy, spray it on your sunburn so that you get relief from the pain, and cause it to heal.
Final Thoughts
I hope that these remedies will soothe your hurting skin. Remember though, that sunburn is preventable. So next time before you head to the lake, make sure to wear sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat. But for those times when you get baked by the sun, refer back to these simple remedies. Happy Summer!
