Treat Sunburn Naturally!

Uh oh, now you’ve done it. It’s the classic summer snafu—a little too much time in the sun and now you’re experiencing the pain and redness of sunburn. Don’t sweat it too much—instead, try a few of these all-natural ways to get the red out and soothe your sunburned skin.

• Aloe: This is the number one natural resource to soothe sunburns, especially in its natural plant form. Carefully slice one of the succulent leaves and rub the gel-like substance onto your skin and leave it there. Aloe constricts the blood vessels and helps take away the sting of sunburn. Do this several times a day for the most relief. For extra soothing, place the plant or organic aloe gel or lotion into the refrigerator prior to use.
• Cucumber: You’ve heard the phrase “as cool as a cucumber,” right? It’s true! Cucumbers provide an amazing cooling sensation and are great for sunburn relief. Cut some slices straight from the fridge and gently rub onto your skin. The phytochemicals and large number of vitamins found in cucumbers render excellent healing properties.
• Take a Tea Bath: That’s right, bathe in lukewarm or cool black tea, or at the very least, gently rub wet black tea bags on sunburned areas. The tannins in black tea help the healing process.
• White vinegar: Apply vinegar—a natural anti-inflammatory—to sunburned skin using a soaked cotton ball or paper towel. Allow to dry before washing. You won’t love the smell but it will help take the sting out.
• Drink H2O:  Sunburned skin is also dehydrated skin. Drinking H2O will add needed moisture to your whole body and kick-start healing.
• Cornstarch:  Dust cornstarch onto sensitive sunburned areas. Not only will this help cool the skin it will prevent chafing that occurs when straps, underwear bands and other clothing rubs against sunburned skin.
• Cool compress: Pour a cup of oatmeal into a bowl of cool water. Soak a soft washcloth or hand towel in the mixture and place on sunburnt skin for fifteen minutes at a time. Be sure to moisturize afterward as the compress helps relieve pain but also draws water out of your skin.
• Yogurt: Spread plain, full-fat yogurt with live cultures on blister-free skin to help re-establish pH balance and provide cool relief. Leave it on skin until it comes to room temperature and then rinse off with lukewarm water.
• Potato Paste: You might not want to eat your carbs these days, but how about wearing them? Blend uncooked potatoes in a food processor and smear the paste on sunburned skin. The starch in potatoes is said to soothe the sting of sunburn.

Of course, the best remedy of all is to avoid getting sunburned in the first place! Remember to limit direct exposure to periods of 10 to 20 minutes or wear protective clothing during peak hours this summer.