Summer is the time to enjoy and bask in the sun. With the arrival of the warm season, we start doing all sorts of things outdoors: having barbecues with friends, playing at the park with our kids, hanging out at the beach, and consequently more sun exposure.
We need to keep in mind that the skin is very sensitive and it is especially susceptible to UV rays. If we do not protect our skin properly during sun exposure we run the risk of suffering from skin sunburn.
Remedies to ease sunburn at home:
As dermatologists, we insist that it is absolutely necessary to use sunscreen everyday regardless of the season. By doing this you can avoid photo aging, skin cancer, and other skin problems. Here are our recommendations on 5 natural remedies to ease sunburns at home.
- Aloe Vera: Among the natural remedies to ease sunburns, Aloe Vera is one of the most powerful. It helps to regenerate and soothe the skin, reducing the heat effect produced by over-exposure to the su Aloe vera is also known for its healing, anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties, so it will not only help you ease sunburn effects, but will also provide extra nutrients to your skin.
How to apply it: It is recommended that you apply aloe vera directly from the plant. To do this, you must cut a chunk of the plant and apply the gel directly to the sunburned skin. It will provide immediate and soothing relief.
In case you don’t have an aloe vera plant, look for a 100% aloe vera gel at the pharmacy and apply it gently to the area irritated by the sun. We recommend putting it in the refrigerator before applying as this gives it an even fresher feeling on your skin.
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- Natural Yoghurt: Natural yoghurt properties helps to ease sunburns due to its dairy value, resulting in favorable effects to relieve the heat of the skin.
How to apply it: You just have to place some cold yoghurt on a piece of cotton or cloth and apply it to the inflamed skin. Remember not to scrub the skin in any case. After 5-10 minutes, wash the area with cold water to remove it.
- Oatmeal: Oats are also well known in skin treatments for their anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.Oats are rich in antioxidants and are commonly used as remedies to ease sunburns. In addition, it helps retain the skin’s natural moisture, making it very beneficial for treating sunburn.
How to apply it: You can apply oatmeal directly to the area of skin affected by the sun and leave it for a few minutes. Oatmeal’s effects will be greater if it is not mixed with anything else but it can also be applied during a bath in lukewarm water. Just add a cup of oats or oat milk to the water and let it work.
- Natural oils: Perhaps the best-known oil is rosehip oil for its scar healing and antioxidant properties. But there are a number of oils that are consider to be good remedies to ease sunburns like argan oil, lavender oil, sweet almond oil and hypericum. Natural oils will soothe the burned area and provide your skin with extra nutrients, such as vitamin A and C.
How to apply it: Apply the oils twice a day with the palms of your clean hands (but make sure there is no sun exposure).
[Learn more on how antioxidants protect our skin]
- Drink plenty of water! We know this is not a natural remedy as such, but it is perhaps the most important remedy for treating sunburn. Sunburn draws fluid to the skin’s surface and away from the rest of the body. Drinking extra water when you are sunburned helps prevent dehydration. Also, one of the fastest ways to heal is to keep your body hydrated from the inside and out.
Don’t forget to take frequent cool baths or showers to help relieve the pain. As soon as you get out of the bathtub or shower, gently pat yourself dry, but leave a little water on your skin. Then, apply a moisturizer to help trap the water in your skin. This can help ease the dryness.
In case you have doubts about how sunscreens work, we suggest reading up on how to understand sunscreen.
And lastly, reach out to a doctor if you experience fevers and chills. If you get a severe eczema or a severe sunburn with blisters on your skin or damaged skin area that is larger than the palm of a hand, you should seek help from a healthcare provider.
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Dr. Raquel Molina Martinez is a board-certified dermatologist from Barcelona with over a decade of experience. Trained at Gothenburg’s University Hospital, she now practices at Centre Medic in Catalonia.