Soothing the Burn This Summer: The Ultimate Guide to Natural Sunburn Treatment
Summer is synonymous with fun in the sun, but sometimes that fun comes with an unwanted side effect: sunburn.
Whether you spent a little too long at the beach or forgot to reapply sunscreen during your outdoor adventures, sunburns can happen to the best of us. But fear not! High Meadow Skin Care has you covered with tips on how to take care of sunburn skin as well as the best natural sunburn treatments.
Understanding Sunburns and Their Affect on Your Skin
Before diving into the best natural sunburn treatment products on the market, let's first understand what happens when you get a sunburn. When your skin is exposed to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays for an extended period, it can cause damage to the skin cells, leading to inflammation, redness, pain, and sometimes blistering. Sunburns not only cause discomfort but also increase your risk of skin cancer and premature aging.
Sunburn Symptoms
- Redness: Sunburn often causes the skin to appear red and inflamed, especially in the affected areas.
- Pain: Sunburned skin can be tender to the touch and may feel painful, particularly when pressure is applied.
- Itching: Sunburn can cause itching and irritation as the skin begins to heal.
- Peeling: As the sunburned skin starts to heal, it may peel, revealing new skin underneath.
How to Take Care of Sun-burn Skin Naturally
When it comes to caring for sunburned skin, gentle is the name of the game. Harsh products and aggressive treatments can further irritate the already sensitive skin, prolonging the healing process. Opt for natural, soothing, hydrating remedies like aloe vera, lanolin, and cool compresses to provide relief and promote healing. Additionally, remember to stay hydrated, avoid further sun exposure, and give your skin the time it needs to recover fully. With patience and gentle care, your sunburn will soon be a thing of the past.
Here's a step-by-step guide:
- Cool Compress & Cleanse Gently: Apply a cool, damp cloth or take a cool bath to soothe the heat and reduce inflammation. Wash the affected area with a mild, fragrance-free cleanser to remove any dirt or sweat.
- Embrace the Cooling Effect of Lanolin: Lanolin, extracted from sheep's wool, has moisturizing properties that can help soothe and hydrate sunburned skin. Apply lanolin skin cream or ointment to the affected area for relief.
- Hydrate from Within: Drink plenty of water and consume hydrating foods like watermelon, cucumber, and leafy greens to hydrate your skin from the inside out.
- Oatmeal Bath: Add colloidal oatmeal to a lukewarm bath and soak for 15-20 minutes to relieve itching and inflammation.
- Supplement with Natural Oils: Coconut oil, olive oil, and lavender oil can provide additional moisture and help reduce redness and inflammation when applied to sunburned skin.
- Stay Cool: Keep the skin cool by applying cold compresses or taking cool showers throughout the day.
- Loose Clothing: Wear loose, breathable clothing to minimize friction and discomfort.
- Stay Indoors: Limit sun exposure until the sunburn heals to prevent further damage.
Sunburn Skin Irritants
In addition to following our step-by-step guide on how to take care of sunburnt skin, there are a few crucial things to avoid to provent further irritation and promote healing. Steer clear of the following:
- Sun Exposure: Avoid prolonged sun exposure, especially while your skin is still healing. Even brief exposure can exacerbate the damage and prolong recovery.
- Harsh Skincare Products: Skip products containing alcohol, fragrances, and other harsh chemicals that can further irritate your sunburned skin. Opt for gentle, soothing skincare products instead.
- Hot Showers or Baths: Hot water can strip your skin of its natural oils and exacerbate inflammation. Stick to lukewarm or cool showers and baths to soothe your sunburned skin.
- Excessive Scrubbing: Avoid scrubbing or exfoliating your sunburned skin, as this can further damage the already compromised skin barrier and delay healing.
- Tight or Rough Clothing: Opt for loose, breathable clothing made from soft fabrics like cotton to minimize friction and discomfort on your sunburned skin.
- Peeling or Picking: As tempting as it may be, avoid peeling or picking at your sunburned skin, as this can lead to scarring and prolong the healing process. Let the skin peel naturally as it heals.
- Alcohol and Caffeine: Both alcohol and caffeine can dehydrate your body, which is the last thing your sunburned skin needs. Limit your intake of these beverages and focus on hydrating with water instead.
- Tanning Beds: Steer clear of tanning beds and artificial tanning methods, as they can further damage your already compromised skin and increase your risk of skin cancer.
By avoiding these common pitfalls and giving your skin the care it needs, you can promote healing and minimize discomfort after a sunburn.
Top 5 Best Natural Sunburn Treatment Options
1) Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is renowned for its soothing and healing properties. Apply pure aloe vera gel directly to the sunburned areas to reduce inflammation, redness, and discomfort. For an added cooling effect, store your aloe vera gel in the refrigerator before use.
2) Lanolin
Lanolin, derived from sheep's wool, is a natural moisturizer that can help hydrate and soothe sunburned skin. Apply lanolin cream or lanolin skin-care products to the affected areas to provide relief and prevent dryness and peeling.
3) Lavender Oil
Dilute lavender oil with a carrier oil like coconut oil and apply it to your sunburned skin for relief. Lavender oil has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that can help reduce pain and inflammation.
4) Oatmeal Bath
Add colloidal oatmeal to a lukewarm bath and soak for 15-20 minutes to soothe sunburned skin. Oatmeal has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce redness and itching.
5) Honey
Apply raw honey directly to your sunburned skin or mix it with aloe vera gel for added benefits. Honey has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help promote healing and reduce discomfort.
Shop at High Meadow Skin Care for Quality Lanolin Products for Sunburn
Sunburns may be a summer rite of passage, but they don't have to ruin your fun in the sun. By following these tips and using natural remedies like lanolin, aloe vera, and honey, you can soothe your sunburned skin and promote healing naturally.
Remember to stay hydrated, protect your skin from further sun exposure, and listen to your body's signals as you recover. With a little TLC, your sunburn will be a distant memory in no time.
More Ways to Shop:
Are you looking to buy all natural lanolin skin care products? We have you covered! There are more ways to shop with High Meadow Skin Care. Read our testimonials, and shop directly on our site or purchase on Amazon.