With summer officially here, many of us are starting to ramp up our planning for summer activities. As you spend more time outside in the sunlight, on the beach, and outdoor excursions, you must protect your skin to prevent sunburn.
READ: 6 Common Places You Forget To Apply Sunscreen
But, if you do suffer from sunburn, here are some home remedies you can use to relieve symptoms associated with sunburn:
1. Keep your skin cool.
If you are suffering from sunburn, use a cool compress or take a cool shower or bath.
If you want to promote the healing of the burned area of your skin, put oatmeal in your bath water.
This will help with the itchiness you may experience with sunburned skin.
Or, you can opt to add a cup of apple cider vinegar, which will help balance the alkalinity of the skin and help promote healing.
2. Moisturize the affected area.
Use aloe vera to soothe and provide moisture to the skin.
It will also provide some relief and comfort to the burned skin.
Additionally, lotions that include aloe vera can help increase moisture in your skin.
As the sunburn heals, it is normal for the burned skin to become itchy.
This moisture will help relieve some of the itchiness.
3. Milk can ease discomfort.
Apply cool milk to your skin.
Milk forms a protective film on your skin, which will help with the discomfort associated with sunburn.
If you are allergic to milk, cool tea bags can also be used on your skin.
Tea contains tannic acid, which helps your skin return to its normal pH balance.
Tea bags also draw heat away from the skin, which has been burned.
READ: Sun & Skin: The Dark Side Of Sun Exposure
4. Antioxidants help reduce inflammation.
Antioxidants such as vitamin E or cucumbers can help with inflammation, which usually occurs with sunburn.
You can use vitamin E supplements or oil.
If you use cucumbers, make sure you chill them first.
Then, mash or place them in a blender to create a paste.
Once you have created this paste, apply this to your sunburned areas.
Cucumbers add an analgesic property in addition to antioxidants. This means cucumbers help you with pain as well as the inflammation of the sunburned skin.
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Prevention is Best
These are some easy home remedies to use the next time you experience sunburn. But remember, the best way to avoid sunburn is to practice preventative methods.
Make sure you avoid direct sun exposure when possible, are in the sun during non-peak hours, use sunscreen and wear clothing that will protect your skin. This way you can avoid the displeasure of sunburn and most importantly protect your skin from sunburn and sun damage.