Natural Skin Care Remedies for SunburnI think we've all experienced the effects of a sunburn at some time or another in our lives.  And as you know... it can be VERY uncomfortable and painful!  And then as the burn starts to heal, the itching and peeling can drive you absolutely crazy! 

While it's vital to your health to get 15-20 minutes of "unprotected" sun exposure daily for your body to produce Vitamin-D, it's also important NOT to overdo it, as the sun causes premature wrinkling and puts you at a greater risk for skin cancer.

Did you know?  A bad childhood sunburn can actually lead to skin cancer thirty or more years later in life.  Anytime you get a sunburn, at any age, your risk of developing skin cancer goes up.  More than 90% of skin cancers are the result of too much sun exposure. 

The BEST way to protect your skin from the sun is to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher (applying every couple of hours), avoid the mid-day sun, and wear sun-protective clothing such as broad-rimmed hats.  



But, When You Do Experience The Ravages Of The Sun's Ultra-Violet (UV) Rays, These Natural Skin Care Remedies Can Provide Instant Pain And Itch Relief! 

  • Milk Compress - Use cool compresses dipped in equal parts of cool water and whole milk and apply to the affected areas for 15-20 minutes; repeat every 2-4 hours.  Rinse milk off so you don't smell sour!  It's always best to use whole milk (not skim) as it's the fat in the milk that soothes the burn.

  • Baking Soda - Fill a tub with tepid (lukewarm) water and dissolve 1 cup of baking soda in the bath and soak for 15-20 minutes.  No need to rinse, just air dry.  Baking soda helps skin retain moisture.  NOTE:  Always use cool or lukewarm water as HOT water will only exacerbate the pain of a sunburn!

  • Aromatherapy Essential Oils - Add 15-20 drops each of lavender and chamomile essential oils to a tub of cool water and soak for 10-15 minutes.  These healing aromatic essential oils help soothe the pain, reduce swelling and inflammation, and encourage skin repair.

  • Oatmeal Bath - Pour 1/2 cup of oatmeal into a tub of tepid water and soak for 15-20 minutes.  Rinse and air dry.  Oatmeal helps to avoid peeling and blistering.

  • Potato - Cut a potato into small chunks, grate or liquify in a blender and apply to the sunburned areas.  The starch in the potato helps to cool and soothe the burn.  Wait until the potato mixture dries and then rinse off with a cool shower.

  • Vinegar - Mix equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water and apply to affected area with a cotton ball.  Or, put the vinegar/water concoction in a spray bottle and mist the sunburned areas.  Vinegar will help prevent blistering and peeling.  Let it dry.  Do Not Rub!!!

  • Aloe Vera - While it's ok to use an aloe cream or ointment, it's best to use the plant itself.  Break off a leaf from an aloe vera plant and rub the plants natural disifecting gel onto the burn.  Aloe vera is extremely healing and very effective in relieving pain, redness, itching, and inflammation.

  • Cucumber - Thinly slice fresh cold cucumber lengthwise and place slices over the burn.  Cucumber is very refreshing and soothing and relieves pain almost immediately while reducing the redness.  Cucumber works well for sensitive skin.

  • Tea - While most any kind of tea will help soothe the pain and itch associated with a sunburn - chamomile, green, black, white, peppermint, or spearmint work especially well!  Tea can be used several different ways to relieve a sunburn.  You can simply wet the tea bags and apply directly to the sunburned areas, or... another option is to make a pot of tea, let it cool, and apply to the skin with a compress.  NOTE: My favorite way, which is not only excellent for a sunburn, but is also a wonderful home-spa treatment that you can experience at anytime, is to pamper yourself by taking a relaxing herbal tea bath!  Just fill the tub with tepid water and throw in 3-4 bags of tea and a few drops of chamomile or lavender essential oils.  Tea contains tannins and powerful antioxidants that help with the healing process and is extremely beneficial and anti aging to the skin!  

PLEASE NOTE:  These Skin Care Remedies work well for a mild sunburn.  But, if you overdo it and get too much sun exposure and experience dizziness, fainting, nausea, fever, or chills - Immediately Seek Medical Attention!

Just Remember ... Have Fun in the Sun, But Use Common Sense!

 ~ Amy~