How to relieve a sunburn after too much sun exposure? There are many natural remedies that are used to help heal sun damaged skin. Let’s see what are the most common natural remedies to heal a sunburn.
Sunlight is important for healing most skin conditions and for maintaining a positive mental health. However, too much sun exposure can cause sunburns and even skin cancer. Sun can badly harm your skin and your entire system. So always remember that prevention is better than cure!
Nutrition and supplements to help relieve sunburns
- Essential fatty acids help restore skin elasticity and make your skin more resistant.
- Eat foods high in potassium, foods rich in proteins for tissue repair, and foods rich in vitamins and minerals.
- Drink plenty of liquids (containing electrolytes) to avoid dehydration and sunstroke.
In terms of supplements:
- Vitamin E promotes sunburn healing.
- Vitamin C fights against infections (common after sunburns).
- Vitamin A and betacarotene renew damaged skin cells.
- L-Cysteine promotes healing of sunburns.
Best herbal remedies to relieve and heal a sunburn
- Aloe vera gel (as a preventive or after being burned) speeds healing, moisturizes and relieves dryness.
- Comfrey root, plantain, horsetail applied on the skin promote healing.
- Saint John’wort oil and calendula also promote healing and are good for infected burns.
- Cayenne stops sunburns. You can take it internally diluted in hot water.
Essential oils for sunburns
- Chamomile, Lavender, and Melaleuca can be good sunburn remedies.
- Tea tree helps prevent blistering from sunburn.
Cautious: Be careful if using essential oils for your skin. Some of them cause the skin to be more sensitive to sunlight and one would therefore burn and damage more easily.
Homeopathic remedies for sunburns
- Urtica urens is used as a sunburn remedy to relieve itching.
- Cantharis is used as a sunburn remedy for pain and blister.
Tissue salts
- Ferr phos and Calc culph can be used as sunburn remedies.
Other remedies and tips to relieve sunburns
- Take a cool bath after sunbathing to avoid wrinkles.
- Don’t pop blisters otherwise you can get infections.
- Avoid sun between 10am to 3pm when the ultraviolet is the strongest.
- Wear a hat, sunglasses, protective clothes, a good natural sunscreen. Read this article to find out which sunscreens EWR researchers recommend: Find the Best Sunscreen for You. Keep in mind that natural sunscreens have to be reapplied even more frequently.
- Snow, water and sand reflect the sun even on a cloudy day.
- Mix vinegar (1 teaspoon) and sunflower oil (one half cup) and apply it on your skin to avoid sunburn.
Sunburn remedies: Useful links
- Beta-carotene effective as sunburn protector: meta-analysis (cosmeticsdesign-europe.com)
- Find the Best Sunscreen for You: Which sunscreens do EWR researchers recommend?
- Sun Safety Tips: Sun safety tips to avoid sunburns and keep your skin safe.
- Sunburn Remedy: Great sunburn remedy to soothe sunburned skin.
- Sun and Skin Damage: Is Nutrition Important for Sun Protection?
Sunburn remedies: References
- Andrew Gaeddert, healing Skin Disorders, North Atlantic Books, Berkeley, California, 2003
- Louise Tenney, M.H., Today’s Herbal health, 6th edition, USA, 2007
- Phyllis A. Balch, James F. Balch, Prescription for nutritional healing, United States of America, 2000
- Siegfried Gursche, Encyclopedia of natural healing, Canada, 1997
- Thomas Bartram, Bartram’s encyclopedia of herbal medicine, The definitive guide to the herbal treatment of diseases, Grace Publishers, UK, 1995
- Disclaimer
J. Beck
DISCLAIMER
The information provided on Optiderma.com is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of an appropriately qualified practitioner.
If you are allergic to the foods, herbs, essential oils, any remedies listed here, you must of course avoid them. For example, consuming food that you’re sensitive to will only cause more (not reduce!) inflammation.
Please consult a practitioner (such as Naturopath, Homeopath, Doctor of Chinese Medicine, Dermatologist, ...) to follow the most appropriate treatment to heal your skin. All legal mentions »
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