You got burnt on the beach and you are interested in what to cover the burns on your skin? Check out the top 10 ways to relieve sunburn and sunburn naturally.
With the scorching summer heat, sunburns, rashes and skin allergies are quite common.
Too much exposure to the sun or a sun equivalent such as tanning beds can lead to skin peeling, redness, spots, loss of fluid, itching or pain.
Symptoms range from mild to severe and can lead to extreme complications.
Homemade remedies such as essential oils, herbs, vitamin and mineral supplements, and fruits and vegetables are the main solution that will cool your skin and keep it hydrated throughout the season.
In the rest of the article, read some of the best tips on how to treat sunburn naturally and safely, and how to take care of your skin from the comfort of your own home.
Tips on how to relieve sunburn naturally
1. Apple cider vinegar
Drink one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar mixed with a glass of water or fill a bathtub and add a cup of apple cider vinegar to the bath.
This method helps maintain your body’s pH level and relieves sunburn.
2. Aloe Vera
The juice directly from the aloe plant is the best natural sunscreen. Aloe vera is also known for its antibacterial and antifungal properties.
To access the juice, open an aloe leaf and scoop out the liquid inside with a spoon before applying it to the burned area.
You can also take small pieces of aloe vera and gently rub them on your skin or moisturize your skin with lotions containing aloe vera for a soothing and beneficial effect.
If you don’t have access to an aloe plant or need to cover a larger area, you can find all-natural aloe vera gel in all stores and pharmacies.
3. Witch hazel or tea
Witch hazel and tea contain tannins, natural compounds that can help reduce inflammation, making them an excellent choice for topical use on sunburn.
Create a poultice by pouring hazelnut tea or cooled tea (made from black or green tea leaves) onto a clean cloth, then apply it to the burned area. Leave the cloth in place and reapply tea or hazelnut as needed.
For an additional cooling effect, add mint leaves when making tea for this purpose.
4. Coconut oil
Gently massage the coconut oil into the skin. Coconut oil not only heals burns, but also tightens the skin to prevent wrinkles and other damage.
The fats found in coconut oil can protect and soften burned skin. To use coconut oil on burns, first cool the area with cool (but not cold) water, a damp cloth, or in the bath or shower.
Then apply coconut oil on the affected area. It will gradually absorb into the skin and soothe the burns.
5. Yogurt
Yogurt is your best friend if you want to get rid of sunburn fast.
Apply cold milk or yogurt to the burned body parts to cool the burn and help reduce the inflammation and burning sensation that causes discomfort.
6. Cucumber
Along with natural antioxidant and analgesic properties, cucumbers also have high moisturizing properties.
To use it as a remedy for burnt skin, apply cucumber paste or slices of cold cucumbers to burnt areas to heal rashes and sunburns.
7. Raw potatoes
Known as pain relievers, potato peel or paste can work like magic on minor skin irritations, scrapes, bites and burns, and can even reduce inflammation.
For a quick soothing solution, simply rub slices of raw potato on the red areas of the skin.
If it’s a fresh and extremely painful burn, blend small pieces in a blender until they’re nice and thick. Then soak paper towels or gauze in potato paste and apply it to the burn.
8. Baking soda or cornstarch
Baking soda and cornstarch help balance the body’s pH and are proven to relieve burns and redness from the sun.
There are several ways to treat burn pain using baking soda or cornstarch.
You can create a paste using water and baking soda or cornstarch and gently apply it to the burned area. You can also put baking soda in a lukewarm bath to relieve burns.
Dusting your skin with cornstarch is another way you can use it. Although it can be a bit messy, it reduces the painful friction between the burned skin and clothing, making it easier to get dressed and sleep on the sheets.
9. Oatmeal
The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of oatmeal can relieve itching and irritated skin caused by sunburn.
Oatmeal is a common natural remedy for soothing skin irritation.
For sunburn, you can create a paste of ground oats, milk and honey to apply to the area. Alternatively, you can make a bag out of a sock or gauze, fill it with oatmeal and let it sit in a lukewarm bath.
(Note: Do not pour oatmeal directly into the tub unless you want to clean up the mess later!)
10. Hydration
Sunburned skin becomes dry, and you may have been a little dehydrated while in the sun.
Drink water and eat hydrating foods, including juicy fruits like grapes, watermelon, or oranges.
Protect yourself from the sun’s UV rays and burns
Sunburns aren’t just a source of temporary pain – overexposure to the sun permanently damages your skin. Over time, this can result in changes in skin texture, dark spots, wrinkles and potentially skin cancer.
If your sunburn is accompanied by blisters, nausea, dizziness, fever or chills, see your doctor immediately as these may be symptoms of a serious condition known as sun poisoning.
Even if you avoid sunburn, it is important to have your doctor perform a skin exam at least once a year. Skin cancer is very curable in its early stages, but early detection is the key to success.