3 Natural Ways to Relieve Sunburn
You didn’t mean to, but you did it. You fried your delicate skin after a day spent basking in the sun. Now you resemble a tomato more than you’re comfortable with. Moving even an inch hurts your tender skin and all you can think is “skin cancer!”
Don’t panic. Frying your skin like an egg is not good, but just remember to not make it a regular practice. For now, try one (or all three!) of these natural remedies to soothe and heal your sunburn.
1. Aloe vera
This tried-and-true remedy should be your go-to natural medicine for sunburn (or any minor burns, actually). Open one of the leaves of an aloe vera plant and rub the juice on your sunburned skin. Relax as the aloe vera instantly cools your hot flesh. Ah good. The aloe vera will form a protective barrier on your skin to lock in moisture and begin the healing process. Be sure to continue to drink lots (and I mean lots) of water to rehydrate your body.
2. Chamomile
Who would of thought your favorite tea could also soothe raw, burnt skin? Add a few drops of chamomile extract to a bowl of cold water. Dip a washcloth in the cooling mixture and gently pat the damp cloth on all of your sunburned areas.
If you got burnt pretty much all over (how the heck did the bottoms of your feet burn?), soak yourself in a chamomile bath. Add several drops of chamomile extract to an as-chilly-as-you-can-stand bath.
Did even your eyelids get burnt? Press two cooled chamomile tea bags onto your eyes to relieve sunburned eyelids.
3. Baking soda
A baking soda bath (do you see a theme here?) will take the sting out of your sunburn. Add about a cup of this handy cleaning and baking agent to a bath of cool water. Soak away.
Be sure to moisturize your skin regularly, especially if you start to peel, eek.
I probably sound like your mother, but it needs saying. Next time remember to wear (and reapply!) that natural sunscreen ladies and gentlemen. We have a handy sunscreen guide to get you started.
image: dboyone
