When you’ve been basking in the warmth of the sun, enjoying the outdoors, it’s easy to lose track of time. But before you know it, the pleasant heat turns into a painful sunburn. If you’ve found yourself with red, sore skin, there are plenty of natural ways to treat sunburn and soothe the discomfort. Let’s take a deep dive into effective, natural remedies for sunburn so you can be on your way to relief and healing.

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Understanding Sunburn

Before we jump into the remedies, it’s helpful to understand what sunburn is. Sunburn occurs when your skin has been overexposed to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays, leading to skin cell damage. Symptoms often include redness, soreness, swelling, and even blisters in more severe cases. Fortunately, there are plenty of natural treatments that can help minimize discomfort and speed up the healing process.

1. Cool Water and Compresses

The first step to treating sunburn is cooling the affected skin. Cool water will help bring down the temperature and reduce inflammation.

What to Do:

• Take a Cool Bath: Submerge yourself in a cool bath, but avoid using soap, which can dry your skin further. Adding a cup of apple cider vinegar can help balance your skin’s pH, promoting healing.
• Cool Compress: Soak a soft cloth in cool water and gently apply it to the burned area for 10-15 minutes. This will help draw out the heat.

Avoid Hot Water

• Tip: Steer clear of hot water as it can make the burn worse. Always opt for cool or lukewarm water instead.

2. Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe vera is a tried and true natural remedy for sunburn. Known for its soothing and healing properties, aloe vera can reduce inflammation and help your skin recover more quickly.

How to Use It:

• Fresh Aloe Vera: If you have an aloe vera plant, simply cut a leaf open and scoop out the gel. Apply it directly to the sunburn.
• Aloe Vera Gel: If you don’t have a plant, opt for a pure aloe vera gel that’s available on Amazon. One highly-rated option is Fruit Of The Earth Aloe Vera Gel, loved by many for its natural properties and lack of artificial colors or alcohol.

What to Avoid:

• Make sure you use a gel without added alcohol or fragrances, as these can irritate your skin.

3. Oatmeal Baths

Oatmeal isn’t just a breakfast food; it also works wonders for your skin. Colloidal oatmeal—finely ground oats—has anti-inflammatory properties that can ease itching and help reduce redness.

What to Do:

• Prepare a Bath: Add 1-2 cups of colloidal oatmeal (such as Aveeno Soothing Bath Treatment) to a cool bath. Soak for about 20 minutes and let the oats work their magic.
• After Soaking: Pat your skin gently with a soft towel—don’t rub, as this may irritate your sensitive skin.

4. Coconut Oil for Moisturizing

Once the initial heat has subsided, it’s crucial to keep your skin moisturized. Coconut oil is an excellent natural moisturizer that can also help with the peeling phase of sunburn recovery.

How to Use It:

• After Cooling: Once your skin has cooled down (usually 24 hours after the burn), apply a light layer of Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. This will help lock in moisture without trapping heat.

Use With Caution:

• Avoid using coconut oil while your skin is still hot from the burn, as it may trap heat and worsen the burn.

5. Hydration is Key

Sunburns often lead to dehydration, as your body draws fluids to the skin’s surface and away from the rest of the body. Drinking plenty of water helps you stay hydrated and aids in your recovery.

Tips for Staying Hydrated:

• Drink water regularly throughout the day.
• Coconut water is a natural electrolyte-rich option that can help replenish your body’s fluids.

6. Green Tea Compress

Green tea has anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe sunburned skin.

How to Use It:

• Brew a few bags of Organic Green Tea and let it cool completely.
• Soak a cloth in the tea and apply it to the sunburned area for 10-15 minutes.

The antioxidants in green tea will help reduce inflammation and promote healing.

7. Cucumber Slices

Cucumbers are incredibly cooling and provide immediate relief for hot, irritated skin.

How to Use Them:

• Direct Application: Slice a chilled cucumber and place the slices on your sunburn for instant relief.
• Cucumber Paste: Blend a cucumber and apply the paste to the burned area for a more thorough treatment.

8. Witch Hazel

Witch hazel is an astringent that reduces inflammation and helps with healing. The tannins in witch hazel can help soothe sunburnt skin and prevent infection.

How to Use It:

• Apply with Cotton: Use a cotton ball to gently apply Thayers Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel to the sunburned area. Repeat several times a day for the best results.

9. Yogurt Mask

Plain yogurt is rich in probiotics and lactic acid, which can help restore your skin’s natural barrier and relieve inflammation.

How to Use It:

• Apply Directly: Use plain, unsweetened yogurt and apply a thick layer to the sunburned area. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes, then rinse off with cool water.
• Aftercare: Be sure to moisturize afterward to keep your skin hydrated.

10. Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender essential oil is well known for its calming effects, and it works wonders on sunburn by reducing redness and irritation.

How to Use It:

• Mix a few drops of Lavender Essential Oil with a carrier oil like coconut oil or aloe vera gel and gently apply it to the sunburned area.
• Avoid using essential oils undiluted, as they can irritate sensitive skin.

11. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar helps balance your skin’s pH, which can assist in healing sunburn and reducing the stinging sensation.

How to Use It:

• Diluted Spray: Mix equal parts apple cider vinegar and cool water in a spray bottle and lightly mist the sunburned areas. Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar is a popular option.

Caution:

• Always dilute apple cider vinegar before applying it to your skin, as it can be too harsh if used undiluted.

12. Stay Out of the Sun

While this may seem obvious, it’s essential to keep sunburned skin out of the sun to prevent further damage. Wear loose clothing that covers the burned area, and avoid going outdoors during peak sunlight hours.

What to Wear:

• Opt for lightweight, breathable fabrics like cotton.
• Wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses will also help protect your skin.

13. Potato Paste

Potatoes have natural starches that can help draw out heat and provide relief from sunburn.

How to Use It:

• Potato Slices: Slice a chilled potato and apply it directly to the affected area.
• Potato Paste: Alternatively, blend a potato to make a paste and apply it to the sunburned area. Let it sit for 20 minutes before rinsing with cool water.

14. Baking Soda Soak

Baking soda helps relieve itchiness and inflammation associated with sunburn.

How to Use It:

• Add to Bath: Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to a cool bath and soak for about 15-20 minutes.
• Paste: Alternatively, make a paste using baking soda and water, and apply it directly to the burn for spot treatment.

15. Honey for Healing

Honey is a natural humectant, which means it helps retain moisture. It also has antibacterial properties that can prevent infection while soothing your skin.

How to Use It:

• Apply Directly: Use raw honey, like Manuka Honey, and apply a thin layer to the affected area. Let it sit for about 20 minutes before gently rinsing off with cool water.

16. Chamomile Tea Spray

Chamomile is known for its calming effects, and it can do wonders for soothing irritated skin.

How to Use It:

• Brew Organic Chamomile Tea and let it cool completely.
• Pour the tea into a spray bottle and spritz it on the sunburned areas for instant relief.

Aftercare Tips

Once you’ve managed to reduce the initial discomfort of sunburn, it’s essential to continue taking care of your skin so it can heal properly.

• Moisturize Often: Use a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated.
• Avoid Tight Clothing: Opt for loose, comfortable clothing that won’t rub against your sunburned skin.
• Stay Hydrated: Continue drinking plenty of water to support the healing process from within.

Prevention is Key

While treating sunburn is important, prevention is the best approach. Always apply sunscreen with at least SPF 30 before heading outside, and remember to reapply every two hours—or more frequently if you’re swimming or sweating. Products like Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen are popular choices with great reviews.

Additionally, seek shade whenever possible, wear protective clothing, and avoid prolonged sun exposure during peak hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).

Final Thoughts

Getting a sunburn can be a painful reminder of the sun’s power, but with these natural remedies, you can ease your discomfort and help your skin heal faster. Remember to be patient—healing takes time, and your skin will need a few days to recover fully. In the meantime, treat your skin with care, keep it moisturized, and, most importantly, learn from this experience to protect yourself better in the future.

Nature has provided us with so many powerful tools for healing, and sunburn relief is just one of the many ways we can turn to natural solutions to care for our bodies. By using ingredients like aloe vera, oatmeal, and coconut oil, you can nurture your skin back to health—gently and effectively.