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How to Get Rid of Sunburn? (Natural Sunburn Remedies)

How to use home remedies to get rid of sunburn or sunburn relief? Sunburns are ugly reddish patches that appear on your skin after a prolonged period of exposure in the sun. Sunburn occurs primarily due to the exposure to the harmful UV rays of the sun. These rays are very powerful and are usually hidden to the normal eye. They are one of the main reasons behind skin cancer.   It is often wrongly assumed that sunburn only happens during a hot summer day. On the contrary 80% sunburn occurs during cold and cloudy days. The UV rays can penetrate through the atmosphere and heavy cloud cover and cause sunburn.

How Sunburn is Caused?

  • The science behind sunburn is pretty simple.
  • Sunburn is caused by UV rays. There are two types of UV rays which reach the ground, namely UVA and UVB. Both these rays are harmful for the skin and can cause sunburn.
  • Our skin produces a natural compound called melanin, which is responsible for the natural coloration in our skin. When the body is exposed to the sun, the amount of melanin secretion increases, which makes people with a brownish complexion look darker and people with a fair complexion look brownish, which is called tan.
  • The capacity of this melanin production varies from person to person, depending on their genetic characteristics. In some people it is more, while in others it is very limited.
  • When UV ray exposure exceeds, our body’s capacity to produce melanin, to protect our skin from the UV rays, sunburn occurs.

Symptoms of Sunburn:

Minor sunburns affect almost 80% people around the world every year.

However, severe sunburn may result in:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • High blood pressure,
  • Headache
  • Blisters
  • Fever
  • Weakness
  • Dehydration
  • Skin cancer in extreme cases.

Home Remedies for Sunburn (Get Rid of Sunburn)

Sunburn is a very painful experience. Besides damaging your external skin, it can also make you feel very weak and dehydrated. There are however different natural home remedies, which can be used to reduce the pain and make the experience bearable.

1.) Potato Paste or Juice to Get Rid of Sunburn

Potato juice has a wonderful soothing property, which can reduce the redness in your skin and give it a cool sensation. The procedure is very simple and only requires few slices of potato and cotton balls.

  • Take a medium size potato and peel off the outer layer.
  • Grate the potato using a grater.
  • Squeeze out the juice from the grated potato
  • Place the juice in a bowl and dip a cotton ball in the juice.
  • Apply the juice on the burnt part of your body and leave it for a few hours.
  • Alternatively, you can also use simple potato slices to rub on your burnt skin.

2.) Cold Milk Compress to Get Rid of Sunburn

Milk is rich is protein and helps to create a protective covering on the skin and helps to make the process of healing faster. Using cold milk further helps to provide a sensation of relief to the sun burnt skin.

  • Take a bowl and fill it with refrigerated cold milk.
  • Dip a clean wash cloth in the milk and place it on your burnt skin.
  • Lightly press the cloth, so that the milk can seep into the skin and the cloth remains in place.
  • Once the milk gets hot, replace it with fresh milk from the refrigerator.
  • Repeat the process twice a day for quick relief.

3.) Cucumbers to Get Rid of Sunburn

Cucumbers are known for their cooling properties and can help to provide a soothing effect to your skin in a big way. It can be used either as slices or as a paste.

  • Take an English cucumber and peel the outer layer.
  • Slice it horizontally into thin slices.
  • Apply the slices on the burnt part of your skin.
  • Flip the slice, once the down side heats up.
  • You can also but the cucumber in a blender and make a smooth paste.
  • Apply this paste on your burnt skin for better relief.

4.) Oatmeal to Get Rid of Sunburn

A bath with oatmeal is one of the not so common, yet very convenient and efficient ways of treating sunburn. The polysaccharides found in oatmeal will help to apply a protective covering on the skin and help it to heal faster.

  • Fill a sock full with rolled oatmeal and tie it at the edges.
  • Fill your bath tub with slightly warm or tepid water.
  • Once your bathtub is full, suspend the socks in the bathtub for a few minutes.
  • Squeeze out the sticky substance from the socks.
  • Repeat the process, until the water becomes muddy.
  • Soak yourself in the water, for a few minutes.
  • Allow your body to air dry o pats dry with a soft towel.

5.) Apple Cider Vinegar to Get Rid of Sunburn

Vinegar helps to balance out the pH of the skin, thereby reducing the soreness and itchiness of the skin.  Many people have sworn by its healing properties and effectiveness in treating sunburn.

  • Take a bottle of undiluted apple cider vinegar.
  • Transfer vinegar into a spray bottle.
  • Spray the liquid on the sun burnt portion of your skin.
  • Allow it to dry.
  • Alternatively, you can dip a cotton ball in ACV and apply it on your sun burnt skin, for quick relief.

6.) Freshly Brewed Tea to Get Rid of Sunburn

Tea with rich in tannins and helps to restore the pH balance of the skin. The tannins will help to draw out the heat from the body and soothe the irritated skin.

  • Measure approximately 100ml of water and bring it to a boil.
  • Add one teaspoon of tea leaves in the water.
  • Turn off the heat and allow the leaves to seep for a few minutes.
  • Strain the tea and allow it to cool.
  • Dip a cotton ball in the tea and apply the tea solution on the burnt area of your skin.
  • Allow it to dry and then wash yourself with cold water.

7.) Aloe Vera Gel to Get Rid of Sunburn

Aloe –Vera gel is a wonderful gift from nature to treat a lot of skin related problems. It has soothing effects and also helps to keep the skin clean and well maintained. The plant is quite handy and can be grown in your house easily.

  • Cut off some thick aloe-vera leaves from the plant.
  • Slit the leaves open, by making an incision in the middle.
  • After slitting the top layer, you will notice a gel like substance.
  • Scoop it out with the help of a spoon and apply it on the burnt area.
  • Alternatively, you can also buy some gel from the store, in case you don’t want to go through the process of obtaining fresh gel from the leaves.
  • Store bought aloe-vera gels are only worth the price, only if the burnt area is too large.

8.) Baking Soda or Cornstarch to Get Rid of Sunburn

  • Both these ingredients are readily available in the kitchen and can help to soothe the irritated skin.
  • Get hold of one these ingredients and pour it into a bowl.
  • Add water carefully little by little, to ensure you get a paste.
  • Apply this paste on the sun burnt area of your skin.
  • Leave it there for a few minutes, before it dries off completely.
  • Wash yourself with plain water after an hour.
  • Repeat this process a couple of times in a week to get faster relief.

9.) Lettuce to Get Rid of Sunburn

Lettuce has wonderful pain killing properties which can heal the skin and reduce the pain caused by prolonged exposure to the sun’s rays.

  • Chop some lettuce leaves and boil them in water.
  • Turn off the heat when the water has reduced by half.
  • Strain the water from the leaves and allow the water to cool.
  • Once it cools down, apply the liquid to the affected portion of your skin using a washcloth or cotton balls.
  • Repeat the process every day for better results.

Other Useful Tips to Prevent Sunburn:

  • Avoid Sun Exposure: Regardless of which part of the planet you live or what weather you might be experiencing, it is always a good idea to remain indoors during the peak sun activity hours  i.e – 10am- 4pm. Use the shadow method to estimate the severity of the UV rays. When the shadow is longer than you, it means the risk is low. When the shadow is shorter than you, it means the risk is quite high.
  • Cover Yourself: Even though wearing full sleeves cloths might sound very uncomfortable for many of us, still it is a good idea to cover up your body to avoid unnecessary exposure to the sun’s rays.
  • Use a Sunscreen: using a good quality sunscreen is very important you ensure, your body is protected from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. Use an SPF 15 or higher sunscreen before going out. Cover all areas, including obscure portions like the back of the earlobes or the backside of your arms.
  • Use hats or umbrella- Using an umbrella or hat is very essential while going out during a hot day.
  • Even if you have applied sunscreen, wearing sunglasses or hats will ensure you remain fully covered.
  • Drink Water- One of the main side effects of sunburn is dehydration. Drink plenty of water to ensure your body stays hydrated. A well hydrated body helps to keep the immune system healthy and strong. Dehydration can lead to nausea, and a physical weakness, which are other side effects of sunburn.
  • Eat Vegetables – Eating lots of green vegetables will provide a boost to the level of anti-oxidants found in the body. The more antioxidants you have in your body , the less will be the effect of sunburn on the skin.
  • A healthy amount of exposure to the sun’s rays is essential, as it helps to process Vitamin D in our system. It will help to keep the body fit and energetic. However, care should be taken to ensure the skin does not get overexposed and loses its natural color or beauty due to sunburn.