Top 10 Home Remedies to Treat Sunburn
Sunburns are a common issue in sunny India, where the sun can be intense, strong enough to boil earth at 52.9 degree celsius in Delhi (claiming to be the highest ever recorded in India). Whether you're enjoying a beach day, working outdoors, or just running errands, too much sun exposure can leave your skin red, painful, and damaged. But don't worry, nature offers some fantastic remedies to soothe and heal sunburned skin. In this blog, we'll explore the top 10 home remedies to treat sunburn using ingredients you probably already have at home. Let's dive in and discover these simple, effective solutions for sunburn relief!
Immediate Steps to Take After Getting SunburnedIf you do get sunburned, take these immediate steps to minimize damage and soothe your skin:
- Cool Down: Take a cool bath or shower to reduce heat. You can also apply cool, damp towels to the affected areas.
- Hydrate: Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and help your skin recover.
- Moisturize: Use a gentle, alcohol-free moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated. Aloe vera gel is a great option.
- Avoid Further Sun Exposure: Stay indoors as much as possible until your sunburn heals.
1. Aloe Vera
Why It Works: Aloe vera is known for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. The gel from the aloe vera plant helps to cool the skin and reduce redness.
How to Use:
- Cut a fresh aloe vera leaf and extract the gel.
- Apply the gel directly to the sunburned areas.
- Leave it on for 20 minutes, then rinse with cool water.
Why It Works: Fuller’s Earth (Multani Mitti) and Chandan (Sandalwood) have cooling properties that help in soothing sunburns and reducing inflammation.
How to Use:
- Mix 2 tablespoons of Fuller's Earth with 1 tablespoon of Chandan powder.
- Add enough rose water to make a smooth paste.
- Apply the paste to the affected areas and let it dry.
- Rinse off with cool water.
Why It Works: Buttermilk is rich in lactic acid, which helps exfoliate dead skin cells and soothe irritated skin.
How to Use:
- Apply cold buttermilk directly to the sunburned skin.
- Leave it on for 15-20 minutes.
- Rinse with cool water.
Why It Works: Curd is a natural coolant and contains probiotics that help in healing sunburns quickly.
How to Use:
- Apply a thick layer of plain curd to the affected area.
- Leave it on for 20 minutes.
- Rinse with cool water.
Why It Works: Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties, and when combined with Multani Mitti, it provides a cooling effect.
How to Use:
- Mix 1 tablespoon of turmeric with 2 tablespoons of Multani Mitti.
- Add enough water to make a paste.
- Apply the paste to the sunburned areas and let it dry.
- Rinse off with cool water.
Why It Works: Orange peel powder is rich in vitamin C, which helps in repairing damaged skin. Rose water provides a cooling and soothing effect.
How to Use:
- Mix 1 tablespoon of orange peel powder with enough rose water to make a paste.
- Apply the paste to the sunburned areas.
- Leave it on for 15-20 minutes.
- Rinse with cool water.
Why It Works: Lemon peel powder contains antioxidants and vitamin C, which help in healing sunburn. Rose water soothes the skin.
How to Use:
- Mix 1 tablespoon of lemon peel powder with enough rose water to make a paste.
- Apply the paste to the affected areas.
- Leave it on for 15-20 minutes.
- Rinse with cool water.
Why It Works: Coffee is rich in antioxidants and can help exfoliate dead skin cells, promoting skin renewal.
How to Use:
- Mix 2 tablespoons of coffee grounds with 1 tablespoon of coconut oil.
- Gently scrub the mixture onto the sunburned areas.
- Leave it on for 10-15 minutes.
- Rinse with cool water.
Why It Works: Apple cider vinegar helps restore the skin's pH balance and reduces inflammation.
How to Use:
- Dilute 1 part apple cider vinegar with 2 parts water.
- Apply the solution to the sunburned areas using a cotton ball.
- Leave it on for 10 minutes.
- Rinse with cool water.
Why It Works: Coconut oil is deeply moisturizing and helps repair damaged skin.
How to Use:
- Apply a thin layer of coconut oil to the sunburned areas.
- Leave it on overnight for the best results.
What you eat can also help your body recover from sunburn. Here are some foods that can boost your skin's healing process:
- Watermelon: High in water content and antioxidants, it helps hydrate and repair your skin.
- Tomatoes: Rich in lycopene, which can help reduce redness and inflammation.
- Cucumbers: Have high water content and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Green Tea: Packed with antioxidants that can help repair skin damage.
- Leafy Greens: Full of vitamins and minerals that support skin health and repair.
Preventing sunburn is always better than treating it. Here are some simple tips to help you avoid getting sunburned:
- Wear Sunscreen: Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30. Apply it generously on all exposed skin, and reapply every two hours, or more often if you're swimming or sweating.
- Seek Shade: Try to stay in the shade, especially during the peak sun hours between 10 AM and 4 PM.
- Protective Clothing: Wear hats, sunglasses, and long sleeves to protect your skin from direct sunlight.
- Avoid Tanning Beds: Tanning beds emit UV rays that can damage your skin just like the sun.
When treating sunburn, avoid these common mistakes:
- Avoid Hot Showers: Hot water can further irritate and dry out your sunburned skin.
- Don’t Peel Your Skin: Resist the urge to peel flaking skin. Let it heal naturally to avoid scarring.
- Avoid Tight Clothing: Wear loose, breathable clothing to avoid irritating your sunburned skin.
Sunburns might be very unpleasant but with these natural home remedies you can treat your sunburnt skin using ingredients right from your home. The best way to prevent you from sunburn is wearing sunscreen, staying in the shade, and covering up outside. The best tested natural home remedies for sunburned skin are mentioned in the blog. All of them will help you with sunburnt skin effectively and quickly. Test all the remedies at your home and know which one helped you better. Enjoy your time outside but do it safely.