7 Home Remedies for Fast Sunburn Relief!

Want to cure that awful sunburn pain fast and enjoy some welcome relief? Here's the top 7 natural treatments and home remedies you definitely must consider...

QUESTION:

What is the best natural or home remedy for relieving sunburn on the face? I accidentally got really burnt and I'm now suffering badly because of it. Please help!

ANSWER:

Although regular sunshine is vital for vitamin D production, too much sun exposure for too long (especially if it's a hot day) definitely becomes detrimental. I think that most of us have probably been caught out at some point - spending time out in the sun and not realizing just how strong a bite it has. The worst time is when it's an overcast day. The UV rays are still high but you don't feel them on your skin. This of course catches many people off guard and the end result is usually a dose of painful sunburn.

Thankfully, relieving your sunburn and/or sunburn blisters, along with speeding up the healing process is not that hard. Here's the top 7 remedies and cures you might like to consider...


Home Remedy for Sunburn #1... Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar works a treat on both sunburn and sunburn blisters. It not only helps to relieve the pain and burning, it also helps to reduce the inflammation and speed up the recovery process by balancing out your skins pH level. You can use either raw organic apple cider vinegar or white vinegar - raw ACV works the best though.

Simply add one cup of raw apple cider vinegar to a bath filled with lukewarm water. Relax and soak yourself in this for 20 minutes to half an hour. Do this twice daily for best results and continue until your sunburn is gone.

Alternatively, mix equal parts (1:1) of apple cider vinegar and cool water. Take a cool or tepid shower first (this enhances the effectiveness of this remedy) then soak some paper towels with the solution and place over your sunburned skin. Leave on until the paper towels are dry. Repeat this several times throughout the day for the next couple of days.


Natural Remedy for Sunburn #2... Raw Potato's: The starches contained in raw potato's are terrific for drawing out the heat from sunburned skin, especially facial sunburn. All you do is first wash two reasonably sized potato's (don't peel them), then either cut them up and place in a blender or NutriBullet, or grate them directly over a bowl, making sure to keep the juice as well as the raw potato. If you’re using a blender, mix until the potato's are "liquidy" or become like a paste. Apply either mixture directly to your sunburn and leave on until dry. Take a shower to wash off. Alternatively, soak a few cotton balls in the potato mixture and apply directly to your sunburn for some quick and welcome relief. You can also slice up the potatoes and place the slices directly on your sunburn or blisters if you like. It works amazingly well!


Natural Treatment for Sunburn #3... Aloe Vera Gel or Cream: Aloe vera helps with just about any skin problem, and sunburn is most certainly one of them. It quickly soothes and calms down the pain and inflammation caused from sunburn and is completely safe to use on your face. Aloe vera is particularly beneficial if you happen to have broken out with sunburn blisters. It speeds up the healing process tremendously, as well as providing some powerful relief.

Either gently rub a natural aloe vera gel on the affected area, or if you have an aloe vera plant growing in your garden, extract the gel and apply directly to your sunburn. Leave on for as long as possible so your skin can absorb its potent healing properties. Repeat this process several times throughout the day.


Natural Cure for Sunburn #4... Green Tea or Black Tea With Mint: The tannic acid and theobromine contained in green tea and black tea eases the heat from sunburn, along with helping to speed up the recovery process by restoring the skins natural pH balance. Mint is a powerful natural cooler and soother and enhances the effectiveness of the tea.

Bring one quart (one liter) of water to the boil. Take 5 tea bags (3 black tea bags and 2 green tea bags would be ideal) and add them to the water along with 2-3 cups of fresh mint leaves. Leave to sit until cooled. Gently squeeze and remove the tea bags as well as the mint leaves (as best as you can). Soak a clean wash cloth in the solution and apply to the affected area. Leave on until it dries then continue to re-apply 3 or 4 times. Do not wash off until you shower. Continue to do this for the next few days or until your symptoms improve.


Home Remedy for Sunburn #5. Oatmeal: The polysaccharides contained in oatmeal help heal the skin and reduce irritation. Either fill a bathtub with cool water and add a cup of oatmeal (mix in well) then soak in this for around half an hour or so. After getting out, allow your body to dry on its own rather than using a towel. Do this every day until your symptoms are gone. Or, cook some oatmeal with just enough water to produce a runny consistency. Let it cool then apply to your sunburned skin. Leave on for half an hour then shower with cool water. Repeat 2-3 times throughout the day.


Natural Remedy for Sunburn #6... Organic Coconut Oil: Coconut oil is rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids (EFA's). EFA's are excellent skin moisturizes and vitamin E is a potent antioxidant and inflammation reliever. Slightly warm up some organic virgin coconut oil in a microwave (if it's hard) and apply liberally on your sunburn then gently massage in. Do this 2-3 times daily for several days to promote rapid healing.


Natural Cure for Sunburn #7... Cooling Essential Oils: Peppermint, lavender and sandalwood essential oils are wonderful for relieving the burning and stinging caused from sunburn, along with helping to significantly speed up healing time. Peppermint oil is also useful for alleviating that awful "sun-stroke" headache that can sometimes accompany severe sunburn.

All you do is soak a wet towel or wash cloth in a bowel of water containing 3-4 drops of peppermint, lavender and sandalwood essential oils. Apply this to the affected area and continue to repeat as needed. You can also add these essential oils to a nice warm bath. If you have a sunburn headache, apply the peppermint oil topically to the forehead and temples for some welcome relief.


Other natural treatments and home remedies for sunburn and sunburn blisters include...

Milk Compress: Mix one cup of milk with four cups of water then add 3 or 4 ice cubes. Soak a wash cloth in the solution and apply to your sunburn for 30-40 minutes. Gently pat dry afterwards with a soft towel.

Cornstarch: Add cool water to some corn starch until it reaches a paste-like consistency. Gently apply this to your sunburn and leave on until the pain and heat is gone.

Witch Hazel: Witch hazel works amazingly well for sunburn. Simply squirt a liberal amount on a couple of cotton balls and smear directly on your sunburn. It helps to soothe and heal the skin very quickly.

Natural Yogurt: The probiotics and enzymes in yogurt help to soothe the pain and put the moisture back in your skin. Wash your hands first then apply the yogurt directly to your sunburn using your hands. Leave on for 20-30 minutes before having a cool or tepid shower.

Honey: Honey is a natural antibiotic and helps to hold moisture in the skin. Apply a thin layer of raw natural honey (not processed) on your sunburned skin and allow to dry. The moisture in the honey is drawn into the skin, which in turn speeds up the healing process and helps to alleviate the pain and inflammation.

Cool Compress: This is one of the standards for treating sunburn. Wrap half a dozen or so ice cubes in a damp cloth. Hold the compress on the affected area for as long as required to cool down the skin. Do this several times throughout the day.


So hopefully you can find something here to help treat and relieve your sunburn in a hurry.


Good luck and all the best to you!


Regards,

Troy (Certified Holistic Nutritionist & Herbalist, Health & Wellness Coach)