8 Natural Home Remedies for Sunburn Relief
We’ve all felt the effects of sunburn at some point in our lives, whether it was a minor or severe burn. Although the sting of regret from inadequate protection (from UV exposure) can be a great motivator to plan more carefully in the future, it does little to alleviate the immediate physical sting (i.e. pain) associated with sunburn.
However, if you have spent a little too much time in the sun, here are 8 natural home remedies to help relieve the pain of sunburn and aid in the body’s healing process:
#1. Compresses for Cool Milk
Milk’s fat and lactic acids have been shown to be soothing to sunburned skin. Soak a soft cloth or cotton gauze in cool whole milk and gently dab it on the burned skin. Do this for about 20 minutes before rinsing with cool water. (Because of the importance of the milk’s fat content, whole milk must be used in this treatment.)
#2. Cool, sugar-free tea
The active ingredient in tea is tannin, which helps to soothe and relieve the discomfort of sunburned skin. Slosh the affected areas with a soft sponge or washcloth after brewing a large pot of tea and allowing it to cool completely. As with the vinegar (4), you could also fill a spray bottle with the tea and spray it directly on your skin. Also, do not discard the used (cool) teabags.
These are especially beneficial for the sensitive areas around the eyes. If your eyes are hot and tired, simply place the teabags over them. (If you have St. John’s Wort, consider using it because it has cooling properties that can help tone down some of the heat in your skin while also soothing the nerve endings damaged by sunburn.)
#3. Aloe Vera
Sunburn is commonly treated with aloe vera. It may also aid in the healing process in addition to providing soothing relief. As needed, apply to the affected areas. Although the gel extracted directly from an aloe Vera plant is preferable, if you do not have ready access to one, you can use an over-the-counter Aloe Vera Cream that contains the gel. To make this work, make sure the cream has a higher concentration of Aloe Vera than water or other solutions.
#4. Water
Your body loses water and essential body salts when exposed to the sun. When your body loses too much fluid, it begins to reabsorb fluid from the blood and other body tissues, resulting in dehydration. Increase your fluid intake to ensure you adequately rehydrate your body for optimum recovery and health to avoid the consequences of dehydration.
#5. Vinegar
The use of vinegar for sunburn relief is controversial. Some claim that adding two cups of vinegar to cool bath water can help relieve the sting of a burn, while others claim that the vinegar’s high acidity only makes matters worse. If you haven’t tried the treatment on smaller, less severe sunburns before, it’s best not to try it on larger, more serious burns.
#6. Oatmeal Bath
When finely ground oatmeal (sold as colloidal oatmeal in drug stores) is mixed with the bathwater, it acts as an anti-inflammatory. To make your own, pulverize a cup of instant or slow-cooking oatmeal in a blender or food processor until it is smooth and fine. Soak in a bath of warm water.
#7. Raw Honey
Honey, particularly raw honey, has natural antibacterial properties. It also helps to keep your skin moisturized. If you have access to it, Manuka Honey has some of the most powerful antibacterial properties. You can, however, use whatever you have at home.
To use honey as a natural sunburn treatment, apply a small amount to the affected areas and gently spread it around. Allow for 15–20 minutes before rinsing. Because this becomes sticky, use it just before taking a cool bath or shower.
#8. Baking Soda
Baking soda helps to balance the pH of your skin and reduce inflammation. It’s especially beneficial for sunburned skin that’s itchy or peeling.
You can use baking soda in the following ways:
- Make a paste of 2–3 tablespoons baking soda and cool water and apply it to itchy or peeling skin.
- Soak for 15–20 minutes in a cool bath with 3–4 tablespoons.
If you use baking soda and vinegar in the same bath, you might end up with a middle-school science fair project instead!
Takeaway
Sunburn should, of course, be avoided whenever possible, because it not only causes skin damage but also increases the risk of skin cancer. Prevention and protection are always the best treatments for sunburn, and will help you maintain your best long-term health!
These are only home remedy suggestions and should not be used in place of your regular health care provider. If you have any concerns about your sunburn, please seek medical attention as soon as possible.
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