What are the Best Home Remedies for Sunburn?
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis
Sunburn is a painful reddening or swelling of the skin caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. There are a wide variety of commercial products are available to treat this condition, although people with allergies or aversions to chemical compounds may prefer to treat the condition with home remedies for sunburn. Luckily, since humans have always been subject to sunburn, many excellent home remedies exist to soothe the pain and promote a quick recovery. Cooling treatments, such as cool baths or aloe vera gel, can help, and staying hydrated is important so the body can heal itself.
A long cool bath can greatly reduce the pain and itching associated with a sunburn, but adding a few choice ingredients to the bath can also improve the treatment. Milk or baking soda added to a cool tub of water can help temporarily calm inflamed skin and reduce itching caused by the burn. Be careful to avoid products that dry the skin during this time, such as soap, shower gel, or bubble bath. People who are fans of home remedies for sunburn also recommend avoiding any bath or body product that lists alcohol as an ingredient, as this may sting and increase dryness.
There are also many remedies for sunburn that can be gently rubbed on the burn to reduce pain, swelling, and burning. Aloe vera gel can be extremely useful in soothing burns, as can extracts of vitamin E. These are both commonly available at health food supply stores, though aloe vera can easily be found by keeping an aloe plant and harvesting the spiny leaves.
If a person's eyelids have become burned or swollen, he or she can place slices of cucumber over them for 15 minutes. A cool, wet teabag can also help reduce eye swelling, but only an herbal tea that does not contain peppermint should be used, as mint may sting the eyes. For facial burns, a mask of yogurt and cucumber pieces can be mixed together and applied to the entire face.
Other remedies for sunburn can work better if the person stays well hydrated following a burn. Skin will become dry and parched when burned, as natural moisture and oils are dissolved by the intense UV rays. The skin can recover more quickly if the person drinks lots of cool water, which may also help to reduce swelling.
After the pain of the burn has largely subsided, dead skin may peel off for several days. Some home remedies also help treat peeling and reduce the amount of time it takes to shed dead cells. Brushing the skin gently with salt or coarse oatmeal can help flake off dead cells, but even more important is moisturizing the new layer of skin under the burn. A mix that combines honey and olive oil can be generously applied to the body five minutes before showering to give skin a deep moisturizing treatment.
Jessica Ellis
With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica is passionate about drama and film. She has many other interests, and enjoys learning and writing about a wide range of topics in her role as a writer.
Jessica Ellis
With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica is passionate about drama and film. She has many other interests, and enjoys learning and writing about a wide range of topics in her role as a writer.
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![Aloe vera cream, which can help with a sunburn.]()
By: volffAloe vera cream, which can help with a sunburn. -
![Ultimately, preventative measures and avoiding burning in the first place are the best ways to treat a sunburn.]()
By: Amy WaltersUltimately, preventative measures and avoiding burning in the first place are the best ways to treat a sunburn. -
![A tepid bath may relieve the sting and pain associated with sunburn.]()
By: araraadtA tepid bath may relieve the sting and pain associated with sunburn. -
![Olive oil, long considered a natural moisturizer, offers relief for sunburned skin.]()
By: margo555Olive oil, long considered a natural moisturizer, offers relief for sunburned skin. -
![Home remedies for sunburn will work better if a person drinks water and remains hydrated after a burn.]()
By: lithianHome remedies for sunburn will work better if a person drinks water and remains hydrated after a burn. -
![Oatmeal and honey help moisturize the skin and lock in essential oils.]()
By: Elena SchweitzerOatmeal and honey help moisturize the skin and lock in essential oils.
Discussion Comments
Johnson's Baby Powder applied liberally at night is a good remedy for removing pain.
Applying any type of oil is the same as "basting" meat. We are meat! Sunscreen is a chemical. There is only one remedy, and that is prevention: wear a hat and long sleeves. Cover up. Take wisdom from Bedouin desert survivors and cover up. Otherwise, cool water and glycerine products bring natural body moisture to the surface of the epidermis.
Vapor rub is vaseline with a scent.
Since childhood, my favorite remedy has been Noxzema lotion. When slathered on (you achieve a white covering) and left to dry, it immediately cools the burning feeling and when frequently and liberally applied over the next few days, will minimize or even prevent peeling.
The aroma of Noxzema also is disliked by mosquitoes and, if heavily applied to the area, will take the itch out of a recent bite site. (Neither of these uses are mentioned on the jar, but they have both worked for wonderfully for me for over 50 years.)
I just wanted to add that you need something soft and soothing that goes into the skin, to saturate the skin. Aloe vera feels nice, but it puts a film on the skin, and does not really have that much use, since the skin needs treatment, not an extra layer that will peel off together with the skin. There used to be a really good nivea product that was absorbed by the skin and saved me a lot from peeling.
Great article- I just wanted to add that I was told that using vapor rub eases the sunburn pain. I have never tried it, but it sounds like a good idea.
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