Warm weather activities like…
gardening
hiking
camping
swimming
…often result in cuts, scrapes, sore muscles, insect bites, sprains/strains, and a multitude of other discomforts.
Perhaps the most dangerous summertime aliment — and the one with the highest rate of occurrence — sunburn.
It happens!
We can be so careful — protecting our skin and eating foods that build our resistance — but sometimes our fun in the sun leads to overexposure and we end up with a painful sunburn.
Click here to see my recipe for a Natural Sunscreen…
Yes prevention is the most effective cure for sunburn — but when it inevitably happens, use any number of these safe and effective homemade remedies to soothe and heal the burn:
- Aloe Vera. When it comes to sunburns, most people reach for the aloe vera. It’s the most common natural remedy for burned skin and not to mention…a super easy to maintain house plant.
- Lavender essential oil. This is my favorite remedy for burns. Lavender essential oils not only relieves sunburn, but they may also prevent peeling. Find high quality-grade lavender essential oils by clicking here…
- Yogurt. Spread yogurt on your burned skin to help cool and heal. Your best bet is to use full-fat, plain, unsweetened yogurt. Let the yogurt stay on the skin until it warms then rinse off.
- Vinegar. Load apple cider vinegar into a spray bottle, store in the fridge, then spray it on your burn. Is there anything vinegar can’t do!?!
- Tea. Make a pot of strong tea and then use a piece of cloth soaked in the tea by applying it to the sunburn area. You could also make a tea bath and soak in the tub. It’s actually the tannins in tea that help to soothe the burn and heal the skin.
- Potato peels. A vintage remedy for sunburns mentioned in tons of old writings is potato peels. They provide much needed moisture…additionally, they carry natural anti-bacterial properties that aid in healing.
- Cucumber. Try applying thin slices (or a puree) of cold cucumbers directly to the affected area.
Nonetheless, the most effective remedy I’ve found thus far has been an After Sun Spray!
When the skin is super sensitive to the touch…nothing is more soothing than this spray.
After Sun Spray Recipe
Ingredients
* Use organic ingredients whenever possible.
- 2 fl. oz. (60 ml) aloe vera
- 1 fl. oz. (30 ml) lavender hydrosol (flower water)
- 1 fl. oz. (30 ml) peppermint hydrosol (flower water)
- 0.25 fl. oz. (7.5 ml) vegetable glycerin
- 15 drops lavender essential oils
- 5 drops carrot seed essential oils
- 2-3 drops peppermint essential oils, optional
- 10 drops non-GMO vitamin E oil, optional
Method
- Add all ingredients to a glass mason jar.
- Shake jar vigorously to mix.
- Pour mixture into a 4 ounce mister bottle.
- Label bottle with name, contents, and date
- Shelf stable for 1-2 years, depending of quality of raw materials used.
To Use
Mist the body as often as desired whenever poolside, at the beach, or anytime outdoors to keep your skin protected and hydrated. Spray liberally to sunburned skin after showering and reapply as often as needed for comfort. SAFE for the whole family.
Storage Tips
Keep on the shelf away from heat and direct sunlight. For an instant cooling effect upon the skin…store in the refrigerator.
Where Can I Get This Stuff?
–Mountain Rose Herbs…they have everything you’ll need for this remedy! I LOVE the quality of their oils and essential oils. It’s your one-stop-shop!
–The Bulk Herb Store also carries a few of these ingredients if you’d like to price check.
–From Nature With Love likewise carries a HUGE selection of high-quality raw materials.
I do have this After Sun Spray
available for purchase in my Etsy Shop.
You can also find my handmade:
–Natural Sun Stick: Sun Protecting Balm
–After Sun Salve
–The Ultimate Summer Sun Solution Kit
Click here to visit the Marketplace…
How to Make Old Fashioned Lye Soap
I hope this isn’t a silly question- is it possible to make your own hydrosol? I’m on a budget right now and would love to make this, but can’t afford extra ingredients at the moment.
Thanks for all the awesome work you do on your blog!
Google anything and their are websites and u tube video’s on how to DIY (do it yourself) just make it a question ..how to make rose hydrosol ? http://herbgardens.about.com/od/herbalcraftsandgifts/ht/Hydrosol.htm
Honey also works for burns.
Immediately after getting a sunburn, DO THIS: apply ICE PACKS or take a deep soaking bath in water as cold as you can possibly stand it. ONLY AFTER the heat has been removed from the skin, apply the sprays/lotions/gels/aloe vera, etc. Get the heat out first and then the sunburn will stop cooking the tissues and be able to heal.
Cold wet cloths, rinsed when they start to warm up can work for this too. Cooling the burn is the best aftercare for the same day. The other suggestions should be for the next day or later
very timely article, have a daughter battling sunburn despite using sunscreen and wearing protective clothing, going to try this!
Is this aloe vera gel or juice? Does it matter?
Either is fine:)
I’ve found that soaking rags with AC Vinegar helps to remove heat FAR faster and less painfully than water. It’s important to remove the heat before putting on aloe vera though. If the sunburn is really bad, taking an anti-inflammatory helps to reduce the inflammation. Also, as far as aloe goes, use it straight from the plant or the non-alcohol version. My dad has put aloe on some decently severe (albeit small) burns and they heal much faster with the plant aloe than otherwise. (That said, severe burns warrant a trip to the doctor.)
Coming from the coastal south, we’ve had to learn sunburn remedies!
I’ve made an after sun lotion before, with aloe vera, vitamin E, Chamommile Tea, and Peppermint Esseential Oil. I think I’ll try your spray too 🙂
I naturally tan but like to put something on my skin after I’ve been in the sun since I’m going up in age. I know that the spray mentioned above is to help treat a sunburn and I’m sure good just to use after being in the sun. Is there anything you’d say would be beneficial to add or change about the recipe for people who never burn ?
Is there anything i can do? Ive got sunburn and got work tomorrow got no aftersun and i could really do with going to work and getting my hours is but its just my top half and its burning not sorr just burning???????