Take the Ouch Out of Summer with Ten Natural Sunburn Remedies

The sun is shining and the pool/beach/garden beckons. And who are you to say “no” to the call of the great outdoors when the weather is nothing short of fantastic, right?

But there’s one problem: You enjoyed the sun a little too much. What was supposed to be a day of soaking in a little Vitamin D turned into a day of pink shoulders, burning hot ears and a nose so red it would put Rudolph to shame. Yes, you’re sunburned!

Sunburn treatment can be miserable, especially for little kids. I have freckles (I know you don’t normally see them on me because I hide them with makeup) and very fair skin. My skin has never had a beautiful suntan but has been burnt more times than I can count. My skin will burn in a matter of minutes if I don’t have any protection on. Honestly, even with sun protection on I still end up with sunburn if I am out more than an hour or so.

So what can we do when we end up with a case of sunburn? Sadly, there is no way to get rid of sunburn overnight. As with most things, time will heal it. If the itchiness, burning, and overall sensitive feelings are just too much to bear, it can be eased. This is your cue to start rummaging through your kitchen for some DYI natural sunburn remedies.

There are products sold in stores designed to ease the burn and help heal the skin. It’s not cheap and is not always effective for everyone. Not to mention, many are made with ingredients found in most homes. I’m a big fan of homemade remedies If I am able to solve an issue with things I already.

Here are 10 natural sunburn remedies you can try with items you may already have. NOTE: The best sunburn relief will depend on each individual. We all respond differently to each treatment. If you have any blisters associated with your sunburn, you should consult a physician and not try any natural remedies until cleared.

10 Natural Sunburn Remedies

1. Aloe – Aloe is a sunburn go-to, and with good reason – it is wonderful at relieving the pain and inflammation that goes along with burnt skin. Aloe can be found straight from an aloe plant or in juice or ointment form. Many store bought sunburn treatments contain aloe.

2. Apple cider vinegar – Check you condiment cupboard for some apple cider vinegar, which will prevent blistering and peeling. Simply dab on the affected areas with a cotton ball soaked in the vinegar and moisturize afterwards for fast healing. You can also add the vinegar into a spray bottle and mist the skin. Vinegar pulls heat from burns and can treat pain naturally. Vinegar contains astringent properties that prevent infection from the burn.

3. Baking Soda – This remedy is cooling and helps skin retain its moisture. To use the baking soda remedy, dissolve 4 tbsp of baking soda into 1 cup of water to make a pasty mask. You can apply it every few hours. You can also add baking soda to a tepid bath and soak your sunburned areas. If you add the baking soda to bath water don’t soak more than a few minutes. Overdoing it can cause skin to get very dry.

4. Cucumbers – Especially practical for smaller areas like the face and ears, cucumbers are cooling and refreshing. Simply place on the skin for several minutes and feel the heat disappear in a flash.

5. Lemon water – When life hands you lemons (by way of a nasty sunburn), make lemon water. Just mix the juice of 3 lemons with 2 cups of cool water and sponge over the affected area. The lemon will not only cool the burn, but will promote healing, thanks to its natural disinfecting properties.

6. Potatoes – Spuds aren’t just for supper! Grate a raw potato and apply the starchy shreds to your burn for instant cooling and soothing.

7. Shower – You’ll do more than rinse the sand off your bod during your post-beach shower – you’ll also promote circulation around the sunburned areas, which can help with healing. What’s more, a moderately warm shower will help draw the heat out of your burn, making you a bit more comfortable. Just remember to moisturize immediately after.

8. Tea – In addition to chugging some iced tea for the sake of cooling from the inside out, use that same tea on your burn. While any tea will do thanks to the tannins found in it, peppermint or spearmint teas definitely amp up the chill factor. Simply wet your tea bags and apply them to painful areas.

9. Yogurt – Not only will a trip to your supermarket’s dairy cooler give you a blast of insti-winter, it will also provide you with another natural sunburn remedy – plain yogurt with live cultures. Smear this on when you get home, leave it for a few minutes, then rinse off with cool water.

10. Prevent – Nothing heads off a brutal sunburn like preventing one in the first place. Be sure to practice good skin health habits and remember to slather on sunscreen with a broad-spectrum SPF of 30 or greater – and reapply often.

I hope you find these natural remedies for sunburn useful. If you’ve used any of these in the past, let me know which was your favorite by commenting below.