Natural Remedies for Sunburn

Ah, summer! A time for beach trips, barbecues, and basking in the warm sunshine. But with all that fun in the sun comes the risk of sunburn. Ouch! If you’ve ever experienced the uncomfortable sting of sunburn, you know it’s not something to be taken lightly. While prevention is always the best cure, sometimes we get caught off guard. Fortunately, Mother Nature provides us with several remedies to soothe and heal sunburned skin. Let’s dive into some of the most effective natural remedies for sunburn relief.

What is Sunburn?

Before we delve into remedies, let’s briefly touch on what happens when you get a sunburn. Sunburn is the skin’s inflammatory response to an overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. This response causes redness, pain, and sometimes peeling or blistering. While it’s crucial to protect your skin with sunscreen and clothing is essential, knowing how to treat sunburn is just as important.  In this guide, we'll explore effective natural treatments, including homemade sunburn remedies.

Top 5 Natural Remedies for Sunburn

1. Aloe Vera

Why: Aloe vera is renowned for its cooling and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps hydrate the skin, alleviating discomfort, and promotes faster healing.  According to a study published by the National Institutes of Health, aloe vera has been show to aid in recovery of skin damaged UV radiation.  (PMC6017010)

How to: We offer Aloe Vera Gel and Aloe Vera Gel Natural - gently spread it over the sunburned area and let it absorb into your skin. Repeat several times a day for best results. You can read more about the benefits of Aloe Vera on our Healing with Aloe Vera blog.

2. Oatmeal Bath

Why: Oatmeal is known for its soothing properties and can help relieve itchiness and irritation.

How to: Take a small handful of colloidal oatmeal and add it to a lukewarm bath. Soak in the bath for 10-15 minutes, gently patting your skin dry afterward.

3. Cucumber Hydrosol

Why: Cucumbers are hydrating and have natural antioxidant and analgesic properties that help with sunburn pain.

How to: Pop our cucumber hydrosol in an amber bottle with mist sprayer. Spritz as needed. Tip - makes a wonderful sprtiz throughout the warmer months.

4. Witch hazel

Why: Witch hazel has anti-inflammatory properties along with an astringent action that may help with itching and discomfort.

How to: Add to a spray bottle and spritz as needed.

5. Lavender Essential Oil

Why: Lavender essential oil is a versatile ‘first aid’ oil. Healing, soothing, antiseptic and analgesic properties make it the first choice for minor burns.

How to: Add to our moisturiser base (not a carrier oil) at up to 30 drops per 100g of base for adults, 10 drops per 100g for children.

Cold compresses help reduce inflammation and provide immediate relief from the burning sensation. Soak a clean cloth in cold water (you can add a few ice cubes for extra coolness) and gently apply it to the affected area. Leave it on for about 15 minutes and repeat as needed.

Conclusion

Sunburn can be a painful reminder of too much sun exposure, but these natural remedies can provide much-needed relief and promote healing. While it’s great to have these remedies on hand, the best defense against sunburn is prevention. Always apply sunscreen, wear protective clothing, and seek shade whenever possible. If your sunburn is severe or accompanied by symptoms like fever or nausea, consult a healthcare professional promptly. Here’s to enjoying the sun safely and comfortably!