We didn’t have much of a “winter” this year; nevertheless, the season is officially over. And right on schedule, I just got my first sunburn of 2014.
As someone who usually slathers on SPF50, it took me by surprise. But luckily, I was prepared to treat it – not with drugstore creams, but with items I already had in the house. Here are my four favorite homemade sunburn remedies for soothing angry skin:
1. Pure aloe vera: Growing up with an aloe plant in my backyard, I was slightly spoiled. When it came to sunburns, bug bites or any other skin irritations – relief was just a few steps away. If you don’t have your own aloe plant, you can usually find fresh aloe leaves in the produce department of your local grocery store. Just snap off a piece and apply the soothing sap (gel) to your skin.
2. Honey: Honey is said to have natural healing properties. That’s why smearing this naturally sweet substance on your sunburn not only feels amazing, but it may help kickstart the skin’s renewal process as well.
3. Vinegar: Many people swear by vinegar – especially apple cider vinegar – for taking the sting out of an uncomfortable sunburn. Vinegar can act as a natural antiseptic, cooling the skin as it evaporates. Just be sure to go light on the vinegar, unless you want to smell like salad dressing.
4. Oatmeal bath: If your sunburn has transitioned into the ‘itching’ phase (you know, when you want to jump out of your own skin), this one will help. Pour uncooked oats into a coffee filter, gather up the ends and tie it shut to make a small sachet. Place in the bathtub and fill with hot water. Allow water to cool to a tolerable temperature, then soak in the tub to reap the soothing benefits of oatmeal.
Of course, the best way to relieve a sunburn is not to get one in the first place. So next time you’re heading out to Dubois Park for a day of fun in the sun, remember to pack the sunscreen!
