Sunburn may be due to excessive exposure to sunlight, especially when you are not using sunscreens or you use protective creams with insufficient protection factor. Since sunburns increase the risk of skin cancer, protecting the skin from sunburns is even more important. To reduce the risk of sunburn, avoid exposure to sun between 11 am and 4 pm, don’t forget to apply good amount of sunscreen and make sure you drink enough water.
What to do if you get sunburn?
There are some natural remedies and methods that will help you quickly heal the redness, itching and pain. They will also provide better hydration.
Aloe vera
Aloe vera is undoubtedly one of the best natural remedies to alleviate the burns. It contains a set of compounds, which hydrate the skin and have anti-inflammatory effect. It is highly recommended to use the gel from the aloe vera plant, since it reliably reduces redness, itching and skin irritation. It also prevents the peeling of the epidermis after healing from the sunburn. Apply it directly to the burned skin several times a day.
Honey
Honey has great effect on the skin and is often used to mitigate the effects of burns. It is distinguished by very strong anti-inflammatory and antibacterial property, which helps the burns heal faster. You can use all kinds of honey; among the most effective is considered the manuka honey. Apply the honey directly to the sunburn. You will achieve even better results if you add aloe vera gel to the honey. One of the options is to add some yogurt to the honey, mix well and apply to the sunburn. Leave the mixture to work for 20 minutes, and then rinse with water.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil has a beneficial effect on the skin, which can be used in the treatment of sunburns too. Even in this case, for better effect you can add the aloe vera gel to the melted coconut oil.
Potatoes
Potatoes are great home remedy for treatment of all kinds of burns, since they contain a lot of vitamins and minerals. In addition, raw potatoes pleasantly cool the skin – just slice a potato and place few pieces on the affected skin area. Also it works well as a mixture of grated raw potato and honey, in this case just leave the mixture on the skin to act for two hours.
Oatmeal
In a blender, mix half a cup of oatmeal, and add a little milk and honey. Apply the mixture to the sunburn and leave on for 20 minutes, then rinse with cold water – you will be surprised of the effects.
Apple cider vinegar
Dilute organic apple cider vinegar with water in a ratio of 1: 3 and make a compress, place it on the burns and let it stay for 30 minutes. You will quickly feel relief.
Turmeric paste
Curcumin, the primary active ingredient in turmeric, very well mitigates the effects of burns. Prepare a mixture of honey, turmeric and aloe vera gel. Apply to burns and leave on for 30 minutes, then rinse with cold water.
Cucumbers
Due to the strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect, cucumbers are ideal natural remedy to alleviate sunburns. It is important that they are well cooled in the refrigerator or freezer. Mix them in a blender and apply the mixture on the burned skin for half an hour, then rinse with cold water.
