Over the years a number of people have asked me, “How do I treat sunburn naturally?” In this post we offer 12 of the best sunburn relief home remedies. So if you, or your loved ones, have been enjoying the sun a little too much and are now feeling the burn, you can relax!
Sunburn is a common problem that can happen to anyone who spends too much time in the sun without adequate protection. Sunburn causes skin redness, pain, itching, peeling, blisters, dehydration, and even sun poisoning in severe cases. Sunburn can also increase the risk of skin cancer and premature aging.
While prevention is the best way to avoid sunburn, sometimes it can happen despite our best efforts. If you find yourself with sunburned skin, don’t panic. There are some natural remedies that can help you soothe the discomfort and speed up the healing process.
Sunburn can be painful and unpleasant, but it doesn’t have to ruin your summer. By using these natural remedies, you can ease your discomfort and heal your skin faster. Here are some of the best natural remedies for sunburn.
How Do I Treat Sunburn Naturally – Overview.
Sunburn is not just suffered by sun worshipers on tropical beaches, in fact sunburn can happen to anyone, anywhere and at any time of the year.
The cause of sunburn is exposure to UV (Ultra-Violet) rays from the sun.
Certain times of the year, and certain places around the globe means more exposure to UV than others, but at one time or another everyone will feel the sting of the ultra-violet burn.
Many folk use the sun as a way to help them tan. Exposure to UV rays makes our body produce more Melanin.
The Melanin is the dark pigmentation in the epidermis and is what gives our skin it’s coloration.
Melanin is determined by genetic factors and, although our body can produce more or less which influences tanning, our Melanin levels stay stable.
This is why lighter skinned people tend to burn more than those with darker skin types.
This Melanin provides our natural shield for UV rays, however too much exposure will cause the skin to burn, regardless of your genetic disposition and coloration.
So how do I treat sunburn naturally?
Best 12 Sunburn Relief Home Remedies.
1. Cool water.
The first thing you should do when you get sunburned is to cool down your skin with cold water. You can take a cool shower or bath, or apply a cold compress to the affected area. This will help reduce the heat and inflammation, and prevent further damage. Avoid using soap, bubble bath, or perfumes, as they can dry out and irritate your skin.
2. Green Tea and Mint.
Mint is one of natures finest when it comes to cooling and soothing.
Add the cooling effect of fresh mint to the tannic acid and theobromine found in green tea and you have a brilliant natural remedy which soothes, relieves pain and helps the healing for UV damaged skin.
This natural remedy is applied to the skin for treatment of sunburn but is also a delicious drink! To make this you need 2 liters of boiling water, 6 green teabags and 3 cups of fresh mint leaves and stems.
In a large pot add the teabags, the mint and then pour over the boiling water. Cover and let steep for at least an hour. Pour the liquid through a cloth to remove the mint and tea bags. Let this mixture cool and place in the fridge.
When needed soak cotton balls, or a clean cloth, in the mixture and apply to the burnt area.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar.
Apple cider vinegar is a natural remedy that can help balance the pH of your sunburned skin, and promote healing. Apple cider vinegar has antibacterial and antiseptic properties, and can also help prevent blistering and peeling.
You can add one cup of apple cider vinegar to your cool bath water, or dilute it with water and spray it on your skin. You can also soak a cloth in apple cider vinegar and water, and apply it as a compress to your sunburned area.
There is evidence of vinegar being used topically for the treatment of burns for centuries. Most recommend using apple cider vinegar after a cold shower.
You may not smell beautiful but your burn will thank you for it.
4. Witch Hazel.
Witch Hazel is a favorite of any natural healer or holistic therapist as it able to be used in so many formulas.
The major benefit of Witch Hazel is its pain reducing properties. Witch Hazel is a beautiful plant but only the bark, twigs and leaves are used medicinally rather than the decorative flower.
The leaves, bark and twigs of the Witch Hazel plant contain tannins which when applied topically to burnt skin reduce swelling, protect against bacterial infection and aides pain relief and skin repair.
It is most common to find Witch Hazel in already prepared solutions commonly referred to as witch hazel water. This is a distilled liquid extract made from the dried leaves, twigs and bark. Apply the Witch Hazel Water directly to the burn with clean cotton balls. Apply as needed.
5. Homemade Sunburn Cream.
You probably have some of these items in your cupboard and therefore you can make a brilliant and extremely effective sunburn cream.
This cream contains all the natural products associated with sunburn treatment and for treating UV damage. All of the ingredients each help sunburn in slightly different ways.
Combined this is a powerful healer and thoroughly recommended.
To make you’ll need:
- Witch hazel water or gel – 1 tablespoon
- Aloe Vera Gel (aloe vera gel is also a brilliant soother of sunburn in its own right) – 1 tablespoon
- Baking soda or cornstarch – 2 to 4 teaspoons
- Fresh mint leaves – 1 cup (or 1 teaspoon of pure mint essential oil)
- Fresh, clean, water – 2 tablespoons
Add the Aloe Vera and Witch Hazel to the water. Stir and blend. Let sit for 2 hours. Add baking soda/cornstarch and the finely chopped mint leaves. Mix.
You are able to determine the consistency you like, if its too runny add more cornstarch or baking soda. Too thick add cool clean water. Transfer to an airtight container and place in a cool dark area (refrigerator).
It is best after infusing for 24 hours and will keep the entire summer if stored in the fridge. This may require a little work in the preparation but is excellent and wonderfully effective.
6. Aloe vera – How do I treat sunburn naturally?
Aloe vera is a well-known natural remedy for sunburn, as it has anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, and healing properties. You can use pure aloe vera gel from a plant or a bottle, and apply it generously to your sunburned skin.
Aloe vera will help soothe the pain and itchiness, hydrate your skin, and promote healing. You can reapply it several times a day until your skin heals.
Easy & Effective Solutions!
7. Apples.
A very simple remedy. Cut an apple in half and remove the core. Gently rub the cut side over your sunburn for 3 to 4 minutes.
The properties in the apple keeps your skin from blistering or peeling. How do I treat sunburn naturally? With apples!
8. Potatoes.
The use of potato is an ancient method of pain relief. For sunburn relief simply chop a peeled, and washed, potato into small chunks.
Blend into liquid with a food processor. To ensure a smooth paste, with no lumps, add a little water. Apply onto the sunburned skin as a paste. Let it dry, and then rinse off in the shower.
You can also coat a clean gauze pad with the liquid potato, and apply to the skin as a dressing. Let sit for up to one hour, and apply several times a day.
9. Coconut Oil.
Coconut Oil is a great remedy, as it offers near immediate reduction of redness and, applied early enough, can prevent peeling. Coconut oil is solid at room temperature, so place the jar in a saucepan of hot water and let sit for 3 to 5 minutes.
Then apply some of the liquidized coconut oil to a cotton swab, let cool if necessary, and gently dab over the affected skin.
10. Baking Soda – How Do I Treat Sunburn Naturally?
Add a cup, or two, of baking soda into a warm bath and have a relaxing soak. This is a great relief for sunburned skin, and is fantastic for those who have sunburn over a large area of their body.
You can also mix baking soda and water into a smooth paste, and apply it as a compress.
11. Yogurt and Oatmeal.
Oatmeal is another natural remedy that can help relieve sunburn symptoms. Oatmeal has anti-inflammatory and soothing effects on the skin, and can also help prevent infection. You can make an oatmeal bath by grinding up plain oats in a food processor and adding them to your cool bath water. Soak in the oatmeal bath for 15 to 20 minutes, and then gently pat your skin dry with a clean towel.
The healing properties of yogurt and oatmeal can be combined into a poultice. Mix 1/4 cup full fat, plain yogurt with 2 tablespoons oatmeal. Mix vigorously for one minute, then apply to the sunburn. Leave on for at least 10 minutes, then wash off, with warm water.
12. Milk.
Milk is a natural remedy that can help reduce the pain and inflammation of sunburn. Milk has proteins and fats that can help soothe and moisturize your skin, and also contains lactic acid that can help exfoliate dead skin cells.
You can make a milk compress by soaking a cloth in cold milk, and applying it to your sunburned area for 15 to 20 minutes. You can repeat this several times a day until your skin feels better.Milk is high in Vitamins A and D, which makes it great for nourishing the skin.
Maybe Cleopatra asked “How do I treat sunburn naturally?”
13. Honey.
Honey has antioxidant properties which helps rejuvenate damaged skin.
Apply a thin layer of honey directly to sunburn, leave for 20-30 minutes, then rinse off.
14. Cucumber.
Cucumbers are cooling and will reduce itching. Gently rub the sunburned area with freshly cut cucumber slices, or lay the slices on the affected area. Allow the juices to penetrate your skin for 10-20 minutes.
Wishing you great health and many hours of un-burnt summer!
These are some of the natural remedies that can help you treat sunburn naturally at home. However, if you have severe sunburn with blisters, fever, chills, nausea, or headache, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. You should also drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated, avoid further sun exposure until your skin heals, and use sunscreen whenever you go outside.
If you’d like to ask further questions about How do I treat sunburn naturally or make a comment on the effectiveness of these remedies please do so in the comments section below.
For other natural remedies check out the following:
