We are all familiar with the annoyance of a bad sunburn. The heat, the inflammation, the pain, and the unsightly peeling are a bad combination for those of us who love the sun and the outdoors. Over time, damage to the skin from the sun’s vicious rays can lead to serious skin ailments, cell deterioration, and even skin cancer. Protect yourself from sun damage by wearing a strong SPF sunblock and avoiding prolonged exposure to the sun. However, if you do get burned from a day of fun in the sun, here’s what you do.
1) Oatmeal
Grind 2 cups of oatmeal in a blender until it becomes a fine powder, and add it to your bathwater. Soak for 20 to 30 minutes. Oatmeal not only helps to soothe the sunburnt skin but also helps it heal quicker. Soak one or two times per day until your skin is healed.
2) Aloe Vera
Split an aloe vera leaf lengthwise and apply the gel to the affected area. You can also find aloe vera gel at most health food stores if you don’t have fresh aloe on hand. Aloe vera moisturizes dry, chapped skin, soothes pain and discomfort, and speeds up the healing process.
3) Baking Soda
Dissolve one to two cups of baking soda into your bath water to relieve itching and inflammation caused by sunburn. You can also combine baking soda and oatmeal for an ultra healing bath. Add in a cup of evaporated milk to give your sensitive skin a three-pronged, soothing soak.
4) Lavender Oil
Dilute one teaspoon of lavender oil with 2 ounces of water and put the mixture into a spray bottle. Spray the concoction onto the sunburned area two or three times per day. Lavender oil will help sunburned skin heal faster as well as relieve the pain of a severe burn.
5) Witch Hazel
To relieve pain and itching associated with sunburn, apply witch hazel directly to the skin using a cotton ball or soft cloth. You can also make a cool compress using a wet washcloth and a few drops of witch hazel. Leave applied for five to 10 minutes or until the compress becomes room temperature.
6) White Vinegar
Soak paper towels or cotton cloths in white vinegar and apply to affected areas like a compress. This method will help relieve pain, itching, swelling, and inflammation. You can also add a cup of white vinegar to a lukewarm bath, and soak for 20 minutes for a similar effect.
7) Yogurt
Apply plain, all-natural yogurt directly to the sunburned areas of your skin, and let it sit for 5 minutes. Then take a cool shower and gently pat dry your skin. Yogurt soothes, moisturizes, and provides nutrients that help speed up the healing process of sunburn recovery.
Dealing with a sunburn can affect your mood as well as your physical well-being. In the future, wear hats that block the sun, avoid being outside during the hottest hours of the day, and choose a sunscreen that is at least 15 SPF or higher. For now, try a few of these natural remedies for quick and effective relief.
