Natural Home Remedy for Sunburn

Natural Home Remedies for Sun Damaged skin | Healthbiztips

Beaches and summer brings about vision of sun-kissed skin which many Westerners desperately wants to achieve, while most Asians frantically try to avoid. It's a clash of beauty standards from the different sides of the globe. But, surely, beauty expectation varies per person right?

Whatever your preference is, we can all agree that a sunburnt skin is a bummer. It's painful and horrible.

If you want all-natural chemical-free remedies to heal and soothe your sunburn, then this health blog post if for you.

Did you know that sunburn is considered a first degree burn? Sun damage is one of the leading cause of premature skin aging.

Natural Home Remedy for Sunburn | Healthbiztips
photo credit: Chris Nguyen @cspek @unsplash

@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan

How to treat sunburn naturally?

1. Fresh Aloe vera

Aloe vera is a potent anti-inflammatory that has a cooling effect on the skin which soothes the sunburnt area and helps relieve pain. Applying fresh aloe vera sap over your sunburn area is an effective and affordable home remedy to subside the redness and pain of sunburn.

Did you know that aloe vera is famed as the "Plant of Immortality" by the ancient Egyptians because of it's incredible healing property. Insect bite, wrinkles, age spots, burn, tooth decay, and high blood sugar are among the health problems in which aloe vera is used as a home remedy.

Aloe vera has thick fleshy pointed leaves that can grow to roughly 19 inches in length. The gel obtained from it's leaves contains antioxidants, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

You may realize that aloe vera is an active ingredient of a large scale of cosmetic and skincare products.

How to use aloe vera to treat sunburn?

Pluck a fresh aloe vera stem then cleans it with water.
Cut it into half lengthwise.
Extract the fresh sap with a clean spoon.
Apply the aloe vera gel on the sunburned area.
Wait until it gets absorbed into your skin and completely dries.

You can store any unused aloe vera gel in a clean container and refrigerate it for up to 10 days,

2. Green Tea

Alright, make a cup of green tea, but don't drink it! Instead, we're gonna use it as an effective but low-priced home remedy to soothe your sunburn. Skip the sugar and milk, will you.

Green tea has anti-inflammatory property which helps reduce swelling and redness on the affected area. It is rich in antioxidant and active compounds to prevent premature signs of aging.

Research reveals that this superfood contains an antioxidant called EGCG which repairs DNA damage brought about by sun exposure. It also has antimicrobial property which prevents bacterial infection on the sunburned area.

How to use green tea to remedy sunburn?

Brew 1 green tea bag in a cup of hot water for about 15 minutes.
Let it cool to room temperature.
Put it on the fridge to cool or add several ice cubes.
Apply the green tea directly on your sunburned area.
Let it absorb into your skin.

3. Oatmeal

Oatmeal is one of those typical whole grains that's sitting on a kitchen's cupboard. It's not just there to satisfy your appetite. In fact, we can use it to make an all-natural home remedy for sunburn. Ready?

Oatmeal is a natural remedy for itch, skin inflammation, and swelling.

How to make a soothing oatmeal bath to treat sunburn?

Using a food processor, grind 1 cup all-natural organic oatmeal.
You can also choose to do the grinding manually with a moral and pestle.
Prepare your bath tub by filling it with water.
Pour the finely grounded oatmeal on your water-filled tub.
You can not processed to your bath. Soak your body for about 15 to 30 minutes.

How to make an oatmeal paste to soothe sunburn?

Using a food processor, grind 1 tbsp all-natural organic oatmeal.
You can also choose to do the grinding manually with a moral and pestle.
Mix 1 tbsp finely grind oatmeal with water to create a paste.
Apply the oatmeal paste over your sunburn area.
Let it stay for 10 to 15 minutes before you rinse the it.

4. Baking soda

Baking soda isn't just for baking, it's also an ingenious home remedy for sunburn. It helps calm and soothe inflamed skin,

Let's bake your skin anew! (Did I said it right?)

Baking soda bath home remedy for sunburn
Bathing with soap can often cause irritation and pain on the sunburn area so let's take it easy and instead use baking soda. Baking soda is a natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.

Fill your bath tub with water, then pour 1 cup baking soda.
Stir with your arms.
Soak your body for about 15 to 30 minutes.

Baking soda paste home remedy for sunburn

Mix 1 tbsp baking soda with water until you make a paste.
You can adjust the amount based on your needs.
Apply the baking soda paste over your sunburn area.
Let it stay for 5 to 15 minutes.
Rinse with water.

As they say: "Prevention is better than cure."

How to prevent sunburn?

If you're living with sunburn every summer, you know you got to do something about it, right?

Summer doesn't have to equate sunburn. There are many ways to prevent this nasty superficial skin burn in which the most effective is to stay away from direct sunlight.

Sunscreen is your number one best friend against the sun if you prefer to stay outdoor despite it's blazing gaze.

Note however that even when you are wearing your sunscreen, you're still not supposed to parade your bare body under direct sunlight. Use hat and sunglasses for further sun protection.

Why do we get sunburn?

Sunlight contains invisible lights called ultraviolet rays that can damage your skin cells so you have to avoid direct exposure to sunlight especially when you're not wearing sun protection like enough clothing, hat, and sunscreen. Sun exposure can damage and age your skin.