Summertime means fun in the sun—but it also means an increased risk of sunburn.
While it’s always best to protect your skin with sunscreen, sometimes you can’t avoid getting too much sun.
Next time you experience a sunburn, try one of these natural remedies that can help ease the pain and speed up healing.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a popular, safe, and effective remedy for sunburns (and many other skin conditions). The gooey gel inside these succulent leaves contains compounds that can reduce inflammation, kill microorganisms, speed up healing, and even reduce tumor growth.
Many lotions and creams containing aloe vera are available at most marketplaces. Or you can purchase a live plant and break off a leaf whenever you need it. Aloe vera plants are very easy to keep alive and take care of.
Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is a shrub with goldish, threadlike flowers. The bark, twigs, flowers, and leaves can be simmered in water to make a witch hazel, which can then be used to aid your sunburns.
Pour the liquid extract into a spray bottle, soak a clean cloth or cotton pad, or mix it into a cream or ointment. If you purchase a witch hazel product from the store, be sure it doesn’t contain alcohol (used as a preservative), which can irritate your skin and worsen it.
Also, test the extract on a small skin patch before applying it to your sunburn. Some people may have an allergic reaction to witch hazel.
Tea
Make yourself a cup of black or green tea, but instead of drinking it (or make a separate cup to drink!), let it cool down or refrigerate it. Soak a clean cloth in the tea, and gently apply the soaked cloth to your sunburned skin.
The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of tea can help relieve the pain and swelling caused by sunburns and may also help prevent some of the skin damage that can occur.
Colloidal Oatmeal
Colloidal oatmeal is a finely ground oatmeal that you can probably find in your local grocery (or check the skin care aisle at the pharmacy).
Make yourself a relaxing bath and sprinkle in some colloidal oatmeal. This will moisturize your skin and help relieve the itchiness and swelling caused by your sunburn.
Honey
Honey is not only a tasty treat in the kitchen. It’s also prized for being incredibly helpful for a wide variety of ailments and skin conditions.
It can sterilize wounds, reduce inflammation, and speed up healing. It can also help your skin retain moisture and prevent it from drying out.
Apply a little bit of honey to your skin, and let it sit for about 20 minutes before rinsing off with cool water. You can also make a honey compress by soaking a clean cloth in honey and water before applying it to your sunburn.
If these remedies don’t relieve your sunburn or if you also experience nausea, fever, blisters, confusion, or signs of infection, it’s time to see a doctor for professional medical assistance.
