Nothing’s better than catching some rays on the beach, but if you’re out there too long sunburn can threaten to put a downer on your summer. Rather than spending that vacation money at the pharmacy, try these 6 home remedies for sunburn relief.
Aloe Vera
First on our list is an absolute sunburn relief classic. Aloe vera gel has natural cooling properties and is soothing on the skin. It’s perfect for mild sunburn as it helps hydrate the skin and provides soothing relief. Try looking for pure aloe vera rather than scented varieties as the perfume may cause irritation on sunburnt skin.
White Vinegar
White Vinegar is another great choice for relieving sunburnt skin. This one might seem odd at first, white vinegar is an acid, but it has some interesting properties. White vinegar can lower inflammation on the skin which helps keep sunburn in check. It also has hygienic properties which keep the skin clean and prevents a mild sunburn from becoming a bad infection.
Baking Soda
This next step works for smaller patches. Mix baking soda and water together until it forms a thick paste and allow the mixture to cool in the fridge. Apply a layer of the baking soda compress to the sunburnt skin for some quick spot sunburn relief. Baking soda will act similar to white vinegar in that it lowers inflammation and keeps your skin free of infection. The cold compress has the added benefit of keeping the burnt area cool.
Take a Bath
This is a great option for minor sunburns that cover a larger area. Make sure the water is nice and cool for maximum relief. If you want to get the most out of this method, try putting a few scoops of baking soda in the water with you. You can also throw in a few green tea bags, we’ll get to that in a second, to get some more relief. Don’t soak for longer than 15 minutes as you may wind up dehydrating your skin or risking infection if the sunburn is bad enough.
Green Tea
Green or black tea is a great way to get fast relief. Brew up some tea and let it cool in the fridge then apply it to a wrap for your sunburn. Keep it on for about ten minutes for the best results. Green and black tea both have restoring properties that can help the skin recover faster from sunburn.
Stay Hydrated
Your skin needs a lot of moisture. It stretches and moves with the body. Sunburn dries out the skin even more than the sunburnt area might suggest. Make sure to drink plenty of water to keep your skin from drying out. Sunburn can cause general dehydration beyond the damage from the burn. This can lead to nausea, tiredness, and generally makes having sunburn all the worse. An extra glass of water here and there never hurt anyone!
Next time you’ve been out in the sun a little to long, try these home remedies for sunburn.