Secret Recipe For Soothing Sore And Sunburned Skin

You know the drill ladies: Use sunscreen to prevent sunburn—and reapply frequently throughout the day. Sometimes, though, we just forget, or we fall asleep on the beach! Or, we get caught out in the hot sun unprepared!

The first 24 hours of a bad sunburn can be the worst. You’re hot yet you have the chills, your skin hurts and feels tight and you are just plain uncomfortable! While careful sun exposure can be very beneficial, sunburn can be very harmful and should absolutely be avoided.

I know you don’t want your face to look like a brown leather pocketbook by the time you’re 40. Luckily for you, we have the secret recipe to soothe your sore, sunburned skin so you can get back to being the fabulous queen you are. The best part? You will probably already have most of these things lying around the house.

Step 1

Take an aspirin. Most people don’t think to do this when they get a bad sunburn, but aspirin acts as an anti-inflammatory, suppressing chemicals in the skin that cause redness and swelling. Also, take a vitamin E capsule to encourage the healing process.

Step 2

Fill up your tub with cool, not freezing, water to soothe your skin. Do not use soap as it will dry your skin out, causing more pain. Similarly, do not use a loofah or washcloth—need I say more?

While the tub is filling, go into your pantry and grab some baking soda and oatmeal. Add a few tablespoons of baking soda to the water. Baking soda helps to balance the pH of your skin and it soothes the sting.

Next, add about a half to a full cup of oatmeal to the water. For a severe, full-body sunburn, oatmeal is a godsend. It reduces the urge to itch, and its anti-inflammatory properties help to soothe sore skin.

Relax and imagine the pain soaking away. Don’t linger in there too long—no longer than 15-20 minutes—or you risk drying out your skin. It is common sense, but always pat dry, do not rub.

Step 3

Mix together in a bowl or spray bottle one-part vinegar (try Apple Cider Vinegar) and one-part water. Not only does vinegar kill germs, but it can also help to soothe a painful sunburn.

Soak cotton balls/pads or a soft cloth in the vinegar mixture and gently wipe over your sunburned skin. If you have a spray bottle, shake up the vinegar mixture and spray all over your body.

There is not much science behind why it works so well with burns, but people swear by it. Seriously, it feels great! Spray yourself throughout the day for relief.

Step 4

You should always keep Aloe Vera gel in the refrigerator. You will thank me. Cold aloe feels amazing on sore, sunburned skin. Not only do you get the bonus of the cold temperature, but it also works to reduce swelling.

You can definitely use store-bought aloe gel, but if you want the best relief, get an inexpensive aloe plant for your home. Just slice open one of the leaves, and apply it directly to the burn. Aloe definitely plays a role in speeding up the skin’s healing process. Continue to use it on your skin until the burn is gone.

Step 5

Along with aloe, you can also apply coconut oil topically to sunburned skin to reduce inflammation. Coconut oil is known for its moisturizing properties. Use aloe only in the first 24 hours of a sunburn, but the following day, add some coconut oil in as well.

You can also apply some (along with sunblock) before you head out in the sun again for further protection.

Step 6

Hydrate! A bad sunburn can suck the water out of you. Always drink plenty of water after you get a sunburn to replenish the fluids lost from the sun. It helps to rehydrate the skin and fight off inflammation and peeling.

If you don’t like water, you should probably learn to like it since it makes up most of your body weight. If you don’t want to drink plain water, there are other ways to ensure that you stay hydrated. Try decaf iced tea with mint for an added boost of antioxidants.

Bonus

Wear sunscreen, queens! Beauty is important and so is your health. Like I said, you don’t want to look like an 80-year-old with wrinkles in your 40s. Wear sunscreen every day, and you will soon get into a habit of doing it so that you are less likely to forget!

Try this recipe to soothe sore skin after a bad sunburn, and let us know how it worked for you! Have any of you used any of these natural remedies for burns before? Comment below to share some more sunburn remedies with us.