Unexpected, Natural Sunburn Remedies

Dorm rooms are desolate, classrooms are clear and hoards of students are hitting the beach. It’s evident – summer is here in full-force and, for many, that means it’s time for some fun in the sun. However, with the sun’s rays becoming harsher by the day, it’s becoming all the more important to thoroughly protect yourself. Unfortunately, due to hectic, unpredictable schedules, our skincare and protection can fall by the wayside.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, adult sunburn rates are steadily on the rise—which means more and more people will be in need of effective, fast-acting burn relief. Rather than rushing to the drug store or dermatologist for the next wonder drug or cream, you should first check your pantry and cupboards—relief may be closer than you realize. Below is a list of natural, affordable items that have proven sunburn-soothing powers.

Natural Aloe Plant
Sure, everyone knows to reach for the aloe when they’ve recently suffered an intense sunburn, but rather than opting for the pre-packaged store option, have you ever considered the benefits of owning your own aloe plant? Way more natural than that chemically altered gunk found on so many store shelves, using aloe straight from the plant rather than out of a bottle is better for both you and the earth. Think about it, if more people opted to invest in one or two aloe plants we could dramatically decrease the amount of aloe needed to be bottled and stored in earth-killing plastic. Plus it’s a much cheaper option that can fit into anyone’s budget—from broke college students to lawyers.

Vinegar

Now, as unappealing as it may sound to voluntarily douse yourself in vinegar, that’s exactly what you might consider doing after getting fried to a crisp in the sun. Possessing pH balancing qualities, the trick is to let the vinegar—specifically apple cider vinegar if possible—evaporate directly on the burned area. Even if the theory as to why it works ends up being completely false, the vinegar does provide a nice cooling sensation that definitely helps.

Baking Soda

Another item your skin might appreciate after enduring a painful burn is baking soda. Possessing both soothing and antiseptic powers, many rant and rave about the wonders of this miracle powder. It’s also known to provide practically instant relief from the stinging burn caused by jalapenos, habaneros and other types of spicy peppers, so even if you can’t remember the last time you used it in a recipe, it’s a good idea to keep it in stock.

Honey

Not only nature’s natural sweetener, honey also has a promising impact on sunburn pain. Cited as expediting healing time, honey helps encourage new skin cell growth—something anyone who has peeling dead skin should appreciate. It also has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial qualities which only help the recovery process.

Oatmeal
Just like the relief it provides to someone suffering from the painful itch of chickenpox, oatmeal calms sun-damaged skin. Simply putting a bit of oatmeal directly on the site of the pain can greatly improve one’s comfort level, so there’s no need to soak in an entire bath of it, unless you just really want to.

Prevention is Still Best

Although the five products above all promise to soothe and calm sunburned skin, your best defense against the pain and peeling is still old-school prevention. From sunscreens to lip balm to UV-protective clothing, the number of sun-deflecting products is growing by the day—it’s just a matter of finding what works best for you. But, if the worst case scenario happens and you get sunburned, you now know of some green, convenient remedies.

Angelita Williams is a freelance blogger who specializes in education-related content. She’s familiar with educational practices for every age and lifestyle, from online college courses to homeschooling to traditional learning. You can contact Angelita anytime at angelita.williams7@gmail.com.