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Five natural sunburn remedies that really work
At the beach, by the pool or in the garden, a long day in the sun can leave you with sore and sunburnt skin. Many of us miss areas of our skin when applying sun cream, or don’t reapply often enough. It can also be tempting to spend a little too long outside when the sun is shining.
You can protect your skin by wearing sun cream of factor 30 or more, staying out of the sun during the hottest part of the day, and covering up with a hat and loose clothing. But if sunburn does strike this summer, there are some natural ways to soothe your skin.
1. Aloe vera gel
Naturally soothing and cooling, aloe vera gel helps to relieve pain caused by sunburn. It also has a high water content, which will help hydrate and moisturise skin that has been exposed to too much sun, preventing peeling. It’s suitable for the whole family and easy to apply, offering instant relief for sore skin.
2. A cooling shower
Showering in cool water will ease the pain of sunburn and will also wash off any sea salt or chlorine from swimming that could further irritate your skin. Make sure the shower pressure isn’t too high, as a powerful stream of water can be painful on sunburnt skin.
3. Antiseptic honey
Honey has antiseptic properties which can help heal damaged skin. Gently dab onto the affected area to prevent infection. Antiseptic honey can also moisturise and hydrate dry skin, and can be applied to stretch marks too, so it’s a handy essential to have in your bathroom cupboard.
4. Frozen peas
A humble bag of frozen peas can provide relief after too much sun, cooling the hot sensation felt when skin is sunburnt. Wrap the bag in a towel first to prevent further damage to your skin.
5. Black tea
When applied to sunburn using a flannel or cloth, cool black tea can help reduce inflammation and encourage healing.
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