It’s finally summer and we’re sure that you’re headed to the beach for long afternoons and picnics in the sun! But if you’re anything like us, we sometimes get carried away and play too long - resulting in that dreaded sunburn and the awful accompanying itch and sunburn blisters. Not ones to rely on chemical-laden drugstore sunburn treatments, we asked the Uma wellness experts to come up with the best natural, home remedies for sunburn - and here’s what they came back with!
- Try a remedial wash
- Raw honey or buttermilk can be applied to the burned area for 15-20 minutes before washing off with cold water to soothe the skin and reduce pain. Infuse ground yarrow or elder flowers and use it as a wash, either with a sponge or in bath water. This can also be done with stinging nettles, chamomile or calendula.
- A cup of apple cider vinegar in your bath can reduce pain, itching and inflammation with its acetic acid, known for providing potent sunburn relief. You can also add a few drops of lavender oil or bergamot oil into cool or lukewarm water, and get ready for a long soak. Another great sunburn remedy is black or green tea!
- Powerful Poultices can reduce the raw
- Anti-inflammatory rich calendula can be used to make a great poultice for rapid sunburn relief. This can also be done with a grated cold, raw potato.
- An all natural topical paste or ointment can do wonders
- The most common (and effective!) sunburn remedy is to cut a mature aloe vera leaf open and apply the thick gel-like juice as a topical ointment 5 times a day. If you don’t have an aloe vera plant on hand, buy a bottle of pure aloe vera with no additives at any drugstore or pharmacy, chill, and apply.
- Pain can also be mitigated by applying a dab of white vinegar for 20 minutes or by boiling the leaves of lettuce, straining out the water and leaving the liquid to cool in the refrigerator. Use cotton balls to apply to the sunburned surface.
- Uncooked potato juice or potato slices can be applied to cool and soothe the skin.
- Cucumbers and cornstarch with water can be made into a paste and applied directly.
- The astringent tannin in strawberries help to alleviate the sting of sunburn. Mash a cup of ripe strawberries and use it as a balm before rinsing off with fresh, tepid water.
- Essential oils like coriander oil (diluted for safety in a carrier oil!) can be lightly rubbed onto the sunburned area for a soothing effect. Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral St. Johnswort oil is also a fantastic sunburn relief for burns that have not broken the skin.
- Use a Cold Compress
- Avoid the formation of sunburn blisters by wrapping oatmeal in a cheesecloth or gauze. After running cold water through it, discard the oatmeal and soak the compresses in the liquid.
- Witch hazel can also be decocted into a compress and applied to the sunburned area.
- You can also mix a cup of milk with four cups of water, along with a few ice cubes.
- Another sunburn relief option is a cloth soaked in epsom salts or baking soda with water. Apply the compresses every two to four hours.
After using these sunburn remedies, be sure not to leave the treated skin dry. Apply cool moisturizer (refrigerate it for added coolness!) or some bath oil (lavender essential oil works wonders - but don’t forget to safely dilute it first!) for added relief.
At peril of stating the obvious, don’t forget to still apply sunscreen before stepping out again to prevent further irritation and burning. For lasting sun damage like wrinkles, brown spots or fine lines, try these 5 powerful tips!
We’ve treated the outside, but don’t forget the insides! Sunburn is a sure sign of dehydration, an imbalance in your body, that can be reset with drinking water and other liquids. Try drinking an infusion of cooling peppermint or spearmint tea. The cooling properties of peppermint will increase blood flow to the burned area, help sooth the inflammation, and speed up healing. Foods high in water content like watermelon, honeydew, beets and cantaloupe can also keep you hydrated. Check out these other creative ways to stay hydrated throughout the stifling summer heat! Also, don’t forget to check out Uma’s anti-inflammatory, lavender rich Beauty Boosting Face Oil to minimize redness and promote rapid skin repair!
