5 home remedies to treat sunburn

You already know that you should avoid the sun at peak times and that the use of sunscreen is mandatory, right? After all, ultraviolet radiation accelerates aging and is one of the main factors that cause skin cancer.

While these two consequences appear in the long term, there is a side effect of unprotected exposure that appears very quickly: it is sunburn, which manifests itself through redness, burning and pain.

Of course, it’s much healthier to prevent yourself, but if you’ve been distracted and now you’re looking like a bell pepper, here are some home remedies that can ease the discomfort and speed up your skin’s recovery:

1. Aloe vera gel and vitamin E capsules

Aloe vera has a cooling effect, while vitamin E has healing properties for the skin. These two ingredients favor tissue regeneration and prevent the lesion from being infected by bacteria or fungi, which could worsen the situation.

How to prepare and apply

To make this mixture, you will need:

• 3 tablespoons of aloe vera gel
• 1 vitamin E capsule

Mix the two ingredients together and apply them gently to the burned area, covering it completely. Let the mixture act for 40 minutes and rinse with cold water. Repeat the procedure daily until the skin is regenerated.

2. Natural yogurt and oatmeal

A scrub made with plain yogurt and oat flakes is gentle enough to help remove dead skin cells without further hurting the skin, as well as stimulating tissue regeneration by containing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents.

How to prepare and apply

Write down the proportion of ingredients in this burn remedy:

• 3 tablespoons of natural yogurt
• 1 tablespoon of oat flakes

Mix the ingredients until you get a creamy paste and apply to the burned area with gentle movements. Wait 40 minutes and rinse with cold water. Reapply the mixture every day until the redness and pain are gone.

3. Milk and corn starch

Milk and cornstarch are ingredients that refresh the skin, easing the pain and burning sensation of sunburn. In addition, they contain substances that help soothe irritation and encourage the injured tissue to heal.

How to prepare and apply

For this remedy, the necessary ingredients are:

• ½ cup of cold milk
• 1 tablespoon of corn starch

Gradually add the milk over the cornstarch and mix well until the powder is completely dissolved, forming a consistent paste. Apply the mixture on the burns and let it act for 20 to 30 minutes. Rinse with cold water and repeat the procedure daily.

4. Chamomile tea

Chamomile tea is well known for its anti-inflammatory properties, and it can also be used to relieve the burning and redness caused by sunburn. If applied chilled, the tea still helps to refresh the skin.

How to prepare and apply

This tea for sunburn has the following ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon of chamomile flowers (or a box sachet)
• ½ cup of water
• 4 ice cubes

Pour the boiling water over the chamomile and let it steep for 20 to 30 minutes with the lid on. After that period, strain the mixture and add the ice cubes. When the tea is very cold, apply it on the burns and let it dry on the skin without rinsing. Repeat the procedure three times a day.

5. Honey and coconut milk

Honey has antimicrobial properties that help the body to prevent lesions from being infected by disease-causing bacteria. In addition, together with coconut milk, it exerts a moisturizing effect, relieves the burning sensation and removes dead cells from the affected area.

How to prepare and apply

Check the amounts needed to prepare this remedy:

• 5 tablespoons of organic honey
• ½ cup of coconut milk

Place the two ingredients in a container and mix them until the honey is completely dissolved. Before applying the mixture to the skin, wash with cold running water. Then, gently massage the product and let it act for 40 minutes. Rinse with cold water and repeat the procedure until the skin improves.

What else should I do in case of sunburn?

If you abused the sun and got all red and burning, make compresses with soft towels or gauze soaked in cold water and try to rest, as your body needs to recover from heat stroke. It is also important to stay very well hydrated with water, natural juices and coconut water.

Avoid bathing with hot water and do not use sponges, as your skin is already very sensitized. Use a bath oil to speed up the restoration of the protective layer and don’t skimp on moisturizer.

Avoid exposing yourself to the sun again in the next few days so as not to make the situation worse. Also, never pop the blisters or pull on the peeling skin, as the tissues underneath them are still very sensitive and need protection.

If you have a fever or the pain is unbearable, it is necessary to see a dermatologist so that he can recommend drug treatment.