Even if you’ve made a conscious effort to protect yourself from the sun, outdoor summer activities can easily lead to sunburns. When SPF, hats, and shelter aren’t enough to protect your sensitive skin, the results can be painful. Here are 10 ways to soothe irritated skin with products you’ll likely already have around the house.
10 Natural Ways to Heal a Sunburn
- Aloe Vera – Whether you choose to go with the store-bought gel or extract your own from the leaves of an Aloe plant, Aloe Vera is the classic, tried and true remedy for painful sunburns.
- Witch Hazel – Known to reduce swelling and repair damaged skin, Witch Hazel is an easy, topical fix for scrapes and burns. Using a soft cotton pad or cloth, gently dab the liquid on the affected area, being careful not to press too hard.
- Cold Milk Compress – This is an easy and cost-effective way to relieve a sunburn. Simply pour chilled milk into a bowl and dip soft gauzes in to absorb the liquid. Then place the gauzes across the affected area and leave on until it reaches warmer temperatures; repeat.
- Corn Starch or Baking Soda Paste – Slowly add water to either baking soda or corn starch until it achieves a pasty consistency. Apply the paste to the affected area and allow to soothe. Wipe off and reapply if desired. Rinse off completely with cool water when done.
- Hydrate – Sometimes we forget the obvious: A sunburn is actual drying and searing of our skin and therefore a lack of moisture will only make the problem worse. Drink plenty of fluids while you’re healing.
- Minty Green Tea – Mint’s naturally cooling properties combined with green tea’s power to relieve pain make this an ideal sunburn solution. Boil 5 bags of green tea (strings and tags removed) and 3 cups of fresh mint leaves in 1 quart of water, then allow to steep for approximately one hour. Strain the liquid once it has cooled completely and allow to chill in a refrigerator before applying the mixture topically to the affected area using cotton pads or a soft cotton cloth.
- Yogurt Compress – With clean hands, directly apply a cup (or more if necessary) of cooled plain yogurt to your burned skin. Gently spread with your fingers or use a soft, rubber spatula to avoid any nails scratching your sensitive skin.
- Lettuce Water Tonic – Boil lettuce leaves in water, strain, and allow the liquid to cool completely (or place it in the refrigerator for a reviving tonic) before applying to the burned skin with cotton balls.
- Vinegar Spritz – Vinegar has been a long-time staple in healing burned skin. Use pure, apple cider vinegar in a spray bottle to cool and then apply to the affected area. Lightly dap with a cotton pad or soft cloth.
- Cucumber Paste – This natural antioxidant is a refreshing way to relieve the burning sensation on your skin. If you need immediate relief, slice up 2-3 cooled cucumbers and apply directly to the affected area. Another option is to create a paste by tossing a few cooled cucumbers in a blender. Add a little cornstarch if you’d like a thicker paste. Apply directly to the affected area.
Do you have any tips for healing sunburned skin? What are your favorite solutions?
